By Rick Reeno and Per Ake Persson
Universum are ready for a legal battle if another promotional company tries to pick up WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm or undefeated contender Gennady Golovkin. During the last few week, Sturm has been vocal about his free agent status. He claims his promotional contract with Universum ran out in 2009. Universum are still contending that Sturm is under contract until 2012. The promotional company sent a statement to BoxingScene.com.
"Contrary to the comments of Sturm that were published in press reports over the last few weeks, Felix Sturm continues to be exclusively under contract with Universum. Universe will perform all of the necessary legal steps to make sure that Felix Sturm will fulfill his exclusive contract with Universum. We will not tolerate any boxing matches to be carried out in breach of our contractual exclusivity. "
Disputing other reports, Universum have also staked claim to Gennady Golovkin. There had been reports where it was claimed that Golovkin was a free agent. They said the WBA ordered a fight between Sturm and Golovkin by April 2010.
"Sturm has a mandatory fight with Golovkin, who is also under to contract with Universum."
