Barker vs. Sturm is on!

[illmaticfighter]

Not a bad move really whatt options does he have.

Ggg is a loss no Sergio Rematch probably getting paid well to

[Weebler I]

Going to someones backyard to defend your title is not a very smart thing to do.

It is if you're getting paid $1.5 million. Not saying he's getting that (Hearn mentioned it as a throwaway figure) but rest assured he'll be getting well paid.

Remember, he has to take this fight, the IBF have ordered it.

[yoz]

It is if you're getting paid $1.5 million. Not saying he's getting that (Hearn mentioned it as a throwaway figure) but rest assured he'll be getting well paid.

Remember, he has to take this fight, the IBF have ordered it.

And if he loses, Sturm is obligated to come to the UK for a rematch.

[Citizen Koba]

Pretty sure there's a rematch clause. Eddie Hearn mentioned it earlier in the week... Also, there'll be 'neutral' officials.

This^

And also the post immediately afterwards.

I was very sceptical of this fight happening given that neither would want it in the others' country. This compromise makes it a winner for both (assuming UK rematch) - props to whoever worked out the solution.

Sturm and Barker don't make the for most explosive fight, but a competitive and balanced bout nontheless. Should be good, almost be more interesting if Sturm edges the the first leg. I was wondering how they'd maximise the income from Barkers belt, but this works better than any option I'd thought of.

[Simurgh]

Poor move by Hearn. Expect a robbery in Germany. Man, i wish GGG got in the ring with sturm to end his career.

There is a rematch clause, 75% profit for barker and independent judges. Sounds like pretty good deal to me.

Also they gonna earn much more money in Germany than in UK.

[Simurgh]

btw I think Sturm takes this one. He knows this is his very last chance. He'll be in superb form and he's overall better fighter, although he slowed down in the last 2 years.

[soul_survivor]

As everyone has said already, this seems to be a great financial deal for Barker, he is 30+ now and all the injuries his had will soon start adding up. I'm not sure ho much longer his body will hold up so he might as well make the most of it.

I think Sturm is on the slide and if Barker boxes as well as I know he can, behind the jab and using his right hand as a weapon, he should win a decision, pretty clear in my opinion. I think this is all building up to a Macklin clash in 2014.

[DoktorSleepless]

I remember reading that Sturm's TV deal with SAT1 doesn't allow him to fight anywhere but in Germany so likely they put up a ton of money to get it done there. If it had gone to purse bid, Sturm would have probably won anyway.

and yeah, Sturm hasn't gotten the benefit of the doubt in the past few fights even though they were close enough for Sturm to be winner without any controversy. Draw with Murray, loss to Geale, and a loss to Soliman.

[ИATAS]

Sturm is not particularly popular with the judges having lost two razorthin decisions against Geale and Soliman. Both fights in Germany. You are putting forth a myth.

He also got numerous decisions go his way as well let's not forget. Either way, it's a dumb move on Barker's part. He could easily set up a good money making defense, a domestic fight, then go on to bigger things. Sturm is nothing right now.

[DoktorSleepless]

He also got numerous decisions go his way as well let's not forget. Either way, it's a dumb move on Barker's part. He could easily set up a good money making defense, a domestic fight, then go on to bigger things. Sturm is nothing right now.

Sturm not being with Universum anymore seems to have made judges less biased. And Barker can't avoid Sturm without losing his belt. He's the mandatory.