By Alexey Sukachev

Reflecting on a chain of recent events, regarding WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm being reluctant to fight one of the Eastern European up-and-comers, former IBF light middleweight champion Roman Karmazin favored both WBO champ Dmitry Pirog and WBA "regular" champ Gennady Golovkin to effectively end Sturm’s five-year long title reign in his interview with Alexander Pavlov (Sportbox.ru).

“I consider Dmitry to be one of our most talented and most entertaining fighters. I think he will simply tear [Felix] Sturm apart and [he] show everyone how good Russian fighters really are. I have no doubt Pirog is going to win the fight if it ever occurs. I think Sturm will try to avoid Pirog by all means possible”.

And what is about WBA “regular” champion Gennady Golovkin?

“I think, Dmitry and Gennnady are within the same level of skill. If they are to fight each other, I’m not sure who will be the winner. They are similar in terms of their defensive and offensive arsenal, skills set; and they both can attack, counter-attack and they also have the ability to wait for their chances. They both are very skillful, and quality of their boxing is fantastic. I’m ensured Sturm will lose to both of them”.

Instead of fighting either Golovkin or Pirog, Felix Sturm chose to battle former WBC champion Sebastian Zbik on April 13.