by Chris LaBate

According to middleweight contender Matthew Macklin (28-3, 19KOs), WBA champion Felix Sturm tried to force him into a rematch agreement that would guarantee Sturm a 40% take of Macklin's future earnings. Macklin lost a controversial split decision victory to Sturm in June 2011. Macklin is scheduled to face middleweight king Sergio Martinez on March 17th at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Macklin told Daily Express: “Sturm took it on points but everyone in the arena that night knew who won the fight. It was a joke. But then you have to knock them out in Germany to get a draw. Sturm offered me a rematch but said he would only agree to it if he could take 40% of my future earnings. There was no way I was going to sign up for that. No boxer would have done so."