Macklin vs Sturm...does this spell the end for German dominance?

Really pleased that to hear the news that Matthew Macklin has got his world title shot against Felix Sturm on June 25th.

Mack has beaten some top names and fully deserves his shot at glory. It isn't going to be easy. Fighting Sturm in Germany will be tough and to win on points will be even tougher.

I think Mack as the skills to go out to Cologne and win but Sturm is in good form having recently knocked out Ronald Hearns in 7.

This has got me thinking as to the huge dynamic change in the middleweight division that we could see over the coming months.

Whilst Sergio Martinez will remain the number 1 guy we could see the German domincance end in the space of a month in a half. Sebastian Slyvester is first up on May 7th against classy Australian Daniel Geale. Geale smashed Roman Karmazin, who drew with Slyvester, to pieces late last year and will be the favourite for this fight for the IBF strap.

WBC Champ Sebastian Zbik is next on June 5th. He will be the heavy underdog against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in the Staples Centre. As the only one of the Germans travelling, it is most likely he will lose his belt.

Finally it's WBA king Sturm against Mack. Mack wasn't great last time out but I think this fight will bring the best out of him. Sturm has a fantastic jab and works well behind it but Mack can get inside and rough Sturm up he could well pick up the belt.

So we could be looking at this dynamic:

Martinez

Chavez
Macklin
Geale
Pirog

Ndam N'jkam
Rubio
Glovokin
Mundine
Jacobs
Barker

I expect Sturms vs Macklin to be a very close fight but with it being in Germany the biased judges could go in favour with Sturm.Macklin may need a knockout in that one.Agree with Sylvester and Zbik losing their belts.Problem is a can't see any of these coming close to beating Martinez so we could have Martinez dominating the division for a few years now.

Macklin isn't world level IMO opinion, looked to have gone backwards in his last couple of fights too. I think sturm will beat him without the need of biased judging.

Sylvester and Zbik will most probably be losing their belts.

In terms of world class level, I'm not sold on Macklin. Regardless of dodgy judging, I think Sturm beats him quite comfortably.

Felix Sturm is a fustrating figure in boxing. On one hand, he deserves credit since he's skilled technically, got good fundamentals and is clearly dedicated towards the sport, always coming into his fights prepared and in suberb condition.

On the other hand, he is seen as a money magnet in Germany and is usually matched against below-par opposition, seemingly unwilling to step up and make any attempt to unify. Not that his fanbase cares, they're just happy to see him win.

Anyway, I don't think Macklin is the man to de-throne Sturm. This is a big step up for Mack and I feel the limited Englishman could be out of his depth.

Its unlikely, but hopefully Sturm will eventually square off against Martinez (or Pirog) in a unification bout.

Although Martinez is currently boxing's in-form star, I feel he perhaps might have peaked at the wrong age. I wouldnt be surprised if he suffers a sudden decline within the next few fights. I would like to see him re-match Pavlik first.

Being fair to Sturm, he's travelled with his belt once and got robbed due to politics. De La Hoya was a lucky boy that night.

And I also agree the Strum has the better of Macklin, regardless of where they are fighting. I envisage a UD win for Sturm

Never thought Macklin was world level and his last few performances haven't been that good. Sturm stops him in the middle rounds imo he's a world level fighter and I think Mack will be found out. Think Sylvester and Zbik will lose their titles though.

Sturms not brilliant and neithers Macklin so I think it will be close.I think Macklins level maybe european but hes a warrior and brings out his best in big fights.I wouldn't be surprised if Macklin won but if he loses I think he'll stay at euro level for the rest of his career.