Predictions

The biggest fight taking place this weekend, at least from a British perspective, is in Cologne on Saturday night as Matthew Macklin travels to challenge WBA Middleweight champion Felix Sturm. I know I'm setting myself up for a fall but thought I'd go for a prediction

As with Ryan Rhodes challenge last weekend, Macklin goes in as the underdog & the away fighter. There are differences though as Sturm, whilst a respected champion, doesn't have the superstar aura that Alvarez exudes & although it has historically been difficult for the away fighter to get a decision on German soil the crowd is unlikely to approach the fervour & hostility of Mexico

Sturm has been champion for over four years & has defended successfully against a decent level of opposition without really meeting a marquee name. He's still best known for his loss to Oscar De La Hoya in Las Vegas back in 2004, when he lost an extremely debatable decision & hasn't appeared too willing to fight outside his home country since. Whilst not a huge puncher, he's a tidy fighter, has a strong jab & high work rate, and has been in with a far better calibre of fighter than Macklin.

In British boxing circles there are a number of judges tipping Macklin but I'm not as convinced; I've never been completely sold on him as a fighter. I don't think the flitting from trainer to trainer throughout his career has helped, and at 29 he really should have been in with bigger names more often. Before Saturday his highest profile fight remains his 2006 war with Jamie Moore down at light middle where he was knocked out in the 10th round.

In fairness, Macklin is unbeaten since, his run includes impressive early blow outs of Wayne Elcock & Amin Asikainen (even if there was something of a shopworn look to both of them) and he can't be blamed for the big domestic fight against London rival Darren Barker falling through twice last year. Macklin admits he's struggled to motivate himself in the past when facing lesser fighters, which might explain his lacklustre display last time out against Ruben Varon, and that he raises his standard against the big names. He'll have to on Saturday; Macklin is the bigger puncher & could get through early on but I think Sturm has too much experience of the big occasions & he'll out work his opponent.

Sturm by 9th round stoppage