Sturms Karate Kid bandana is 4 Mayweather Juniour. Happy birthday Bob Arum btw. :happy Hopefully this is your last.
Murray comes to fight, Sturm high guard backs away and defends for a couple of rounds. Sturm wins these rounds on the cards. As Murray tires and runs out of ideas, Sturm starts to shine with flashy combinations and heavy shots. Murray starts to throw caution to the wind and Sturm lands some great shots. Sturm points win. Macklin had the right basic idea. With the guard up, Sturm's not dangerous. Macklin threw too many early punches that were blocked and gassed a bit. Murray should start fast, but once pushed back, don't waste too many on Sturms body and arms. Murray should land more and try and look flashier. Positive body language. Towards the end of the round get out of there, don't give Sturm a chance to land his flashy eye catching punches to win the rounds. I think this fight is a tall ask. The officials won't do Murray any favours, even if he's winning and it is unlikely to end in a big KO for Murray. The best we can look for is a sterling losing performance from Murray, perhaps another close decision. Sturm's not brilliant, it's just he has such a good defence, knows how to win and is fighting in Germany. Murray has a good domestic record but is not a huge puncher. Perhaps Hatton has formulated a strong body attack game here? :huh:good
Neither man doing anything of note in round 1. Murray throwing a few quick combinations but they're all getting blocked. Sturm holds the centre of the ring for the majority of the round but notable punches from either fighter. 10-10, don't like scoring rounds even though so Sturm may have just done it on his control of the ring.