BERLIN: Germany’s world middleweight champion Felix Sturm has already promised Ireland’s Matthew Macklin a rematch after defending his WBA title in controversial fashion with a split decision. After a gruelling 12 rounds, the champion was left with a cut above his eyelid, but Sturm was awarded the fight by the judges 113-115, 116-112 and 116-112 in front of an 18,500 strong crowd in Cologne.

“I should be champion,” said Macklin. “I believe I was the better fighter, but it is not Felix’s fault, he wasn’t a judge.” The judges were Levi Martinez from the USA, Jose Ignacio Martinez from Spain and Roberto Ramirez from Puerto Rico.

This was Sturm’s 10th title defence and Macklin was far from happy with the verdict having pushed the champion all the way, but the German has already said he will give the Birmingham-based Irishman a rematch. Sturm, who himself lost his WBO title to Oscar de la Hoya in 2004 in Las Vegas after a controversial decision, saw no problem with the decision.