Chudinov collides with Sturm seeking successful sequel defence

Chudinov’s latest trip to Germany is unlikely to have any effect on him, having entered enemy territory again in his maiden defence of the WBA strap last September, outclassing Londoner Frank Buglioni at Wembley.

The 28-year-old showcased masterful combinations and relentlessness to overcome Buglioni and earn a comfortable unanimous decision, despite having two points deducted early in their bout for clumsily dropping his opponent with two shots after the final sixth round bell had sounded.

Sturm, a four-time world champion, goes directly into his rematch against Chudinov, having not graced the ring since his 2015 title defeat, and the 37-year-old has declared that he’ll be back to his best.

“I made a lot of mistakes in the first fight, I could only show 20 per cent of myself, but this time I’m ready, all or nothing, I’ll prove I’m still one of the best in the world,” stated the German, who is 3/1 to reclaim the WBA strap on points.

A man of few words, in the build-up to the pair’s super-middleweight rematch, Chudinov simply stated: “The title stays with me.”

‘GGG’ on the horizon for Chudinov?

Chudinov may be set to defend the super-middleweight title this weekend, but the confident Russian has earlier stated his desire to contest 160-pound king Gennady Golovkin, though admitted he needs much more experience before such a daunting match-up.

“Yes [that fight was] suggested to me. But my team decided that it was too early to fight with an opponent of this level,” outlined the Russian.

Of course I can just go into this fight, but I think I need another year or two to prepare, to gain experience. I would be very interested to face him.”

“I’d like to do this in the future. Although, there is one stumbling block – we are in different weight categories and if one of us decides to move to another weight class, the idea of the fight might be lost.”

Before any possible meeting with ‘GGG’, Chudinov must first prove that his title victory over Sturm wasn’t a flash in the pan performance, and he is 2/1 to stop the German early over their 12-round encounter.

Britain’s Cox targets winner of Chudinov-Sturm

Swindon’s deadly super-middleweight Jamie Cox (20-0, 12 KOs) has weighed in on this weekend’s rematch, with the unbeaten southpaw gunning for a shot at the eventual sequel winner, claiming he would easily dispose of either fighter.

“If they make the fight with Chudinov and it happens in the UK he won’t want to come back ever again. I’ll knock him clean out; I’m too explosive for him and he doesn’t know how to go backwards. I’d happily take on either of them; they’d both get knocked out,” declared Cox.

“Nobody wants to take a fight with me. I’ll fight anybody at any time. At the end of the day I don’t care who it is; put me in there with the best. I want to take on the very best; if anyone thinks I’m an easy world title defence then put me in there with them and see what happens.

“I’ve been sparring with world champions in the past year and I know how I rated against them. I’m not one to talk about what I did to them but people were there and saw it with their own eyes. This year there’s going to be more knockouts and I’ll become a world champion.

“I can see it going the same way as their last fight. Chudinov can only get better with experience and I think Sturm is getting a little bit past his sell-by date so it’ll be a repeat of their last fight; Chudinov wins.”

The defending Russian champion is seeking a comprehensive finish to his rematch on German soil, and is 11/2 to end the night in rounds 4-6, while Sturm is 9/1 to stun Chudinov by KO, in what should be an interesting second meeting between two contrasting competitors.

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Coral’s top tip: Back defending WBA super-middleweight champion Fedor Chudinov to retain his title by knockout at 15/8.