Macklin smiles through pain
He couldn’t do it.
Macklin, despite a wonderful physical and mental effort, was unable to take the WBA middleweight title from long-standing champion Felix Sturm here in Cologne on Saturday night.
Macklin was magnificent and the judges were split on their judgement after 12 tremendous rounds of skill, power and courage from both boxers.
But the Irish camp were unhappy, very unhappy. They were totally convinced that their man had done more than enough to become the new champion.
When the final bell went Warrior Macklin jumped for joy. His hands went up in the air and his trainer Joe Gallagher and his manager Brian Peters grabbed him in delight. They knew they had won — or they thought they had.
When the decision was announced there was a split-second silence and then a massive roar of approval. The crowd were shocked and delighted that Sturm hand managed to hang on to his crown.
The reaction of former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, who had commentated on the match for American TV which beamed the fight live to New York’s Times Square, was clearly one of shock.
He tweeted this message back to the Macklin camp: “That was highway robbery. The worst decision I have seen in years. Macklin is a warrior.”
Who’s arguing with him?
Indeed Macklin produced the performance of his career. He knew he had to. He knew he had to go where he had never been before, pushing himself beyond all previous limits — physically and mentally.
Sturm was an adopted German fighting in his own backyard. He had triumphed through 15 world title fights and held the WBA crown for almost a decade. A genuine champion. It all made Macklin’s task enormous — but he was up to it.
His jabbing and hooks were accurate and powerful. Sturm was taken by surprise. He covered up well.
For the first five rounds the champion was unable to get into his comfort zone and the challenger ran the show.
However, as with all true champions, Sturm rallied and forced his way back into the fight. He finished strongly and clearly caught the eyes of two of the judges with snappy jabs and rocking hooks.
The scores were 115-113 in favour of Macklin and 116-112 and 116-112 in favour of Sturm and there are now verbal promises of a return match.
Sturm and his relieved camp were quick to offer the deal and Macklin was just as quick to accept but these things are very often said with gusto but little substance after such a fight.
But for Macklin the future couldn’t be brighter. He has always said that he was capable of going in with the very best in the world. Now he has proved it. He is class. At 29 years of age he is ready and equipped to be a world champion. He said: “I understand that German TV had me winning by four rounds and American TV by three rounds. I knew I had won and done so comfortably.
“But the decision went against me. I am not going to beat myself up over that. I cannot change anything. I strongly believe that what happens happens for the best.
“I have taken a giant step for Matthew Macklin. The fight went down big in the States and maybe that’s where my next fight will be.
“I have been in training for 20 weeks now and that’s one hell of a long time. I am taking a month off and that will give manager Brian Peters some space to negotiate our next move,” he smiled through bruised lips and battered eyes.
Peters commented: “Talks have started already and there are lots of different possible proposals. At the moment we are discussing a return with Sturm at Madison Square Gardens. That would be quite something.
“It would be wonderful if Matthew could become the next Steve Collins. He has proved now that he has the ability,” he added.
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