Around the Net: Felix Sturm vs Giovanni Lorenzo Edition

After more than a year's absence due to promotional issues, Felix Sturm makes his return to the ring against Giovanni Lorenzo tonight at the Lanxess-Arena in Cologne, Germany.  The fighters weighed in yesterday with Sturm tipping the scales at 159lbs and Lorenzo coming in a little lighter at 158.3.

Let's take a look at some of the pre-fight buzz from around the net for the middleweight clash...

Bad Left Hook Fight Previews: Sturm-Lorenzo, Martinez-Burns, Zaveck-Jackiewicz II

Lorenzo (29-2, 21 KO) is not a stud, but the Dominican-born fighter can punch, and is the best puncher Sturm has faced in years. He's lost close decisions to Raul Marquez and Sebastian Sylvester, costing him a shot at Arthur Abraham and the vacant IBF belt, respectively. Nothing about him will make anyone say "wow," but he's got enough power to hurt Sturm, and the aggressiveness to pounce if that does happen. He still doesn't have a signature W, and Sturm could be that guy.

But Sturm also is simply a much more well-rounded fighter. Despite a fairly weak KO rate, Sturm is not feather-fisted, and for boxing skills, he trumps Lorenzo easily. A couple years ago, I'd have picked Sturm -- who I felt was underrated and didn't get enough respect at the time -- to easily outbox Lorenzo, barely breaking a sweat in the process. Now, I still think that if rust isn't a huge factor, he'll outbox Lorenzo. But I do have more doubts than I would have before Sturm turned 30 and lost a year of his career to promoter disputes. Sturm UD-12

Boxing Scene - Can Felix Sturm Get Back on Track?

Lorenzo is not a great challenge, but he is a good one and a good gauge of where Strum is after the layoff and after the close call with Gevor. Prior to Gevor, Strum looked like he was hitting a peak. While lacking in power, he is deceptively quick handed and possesses an excellent jab. The Sylvester win in November 2008 was a career best. Given his behind the scenes issues, Gevor may only have been a hiccup. Still only 31, Strum certainly has time on his side.

Williams and Martinez is the big question at Middleweight but, when it is answered, the next question will be "who’s next?" Sturm’s decade in the pro ranks, now in a second WBA belt reign after the short WBO run ended by De La Hoya, would be incomplete if he never got to enter the ring with the recognized king of his class and answer, "me." Self promoting his show this weekend, he’ll have a flexibility going forward he didn’t have under Universum to force the issue.

The Sweet Science - Giovanni Lorenzo Has A Message For The Suits, And Felix Sturm

"Sturm is not the same fighter he once was, he will not be able to pull the trigger against me like he did to other fighters in the past," Lorenzo said. "His legs are gone, his last couple of fights clearly show that he is not the same, he is slower and weaker, his arms and legs are not the same, probably from all that weightlifting they have him doing. He appears to be like the old timers used to say, 'muscle-bound.' All that weight lifting has made him stronger, but it also makes him get muscle fatigue. I can tell he wants to do things in the ring but his body will not let him anymore. He see the punches coming and he still gets hit. Also, I don’t respect a fighter with limited power and no chin.. I am getting better and better every day in every way. Is Felix? If you have seen his last few fights you know the answer to that question is absolutely not, it’s very obvious, he is not the same fighter he was 3-4 years ago. This is a great opportunity for me, I am blessed with a second chance and I will capitalize on it. I believe I will knock him out."

Fightnews.com - Lorenzo steamed over gloves

A week’s worth of waiting in Germany for his middleweight title bout against WBA champion Felix Sturm has put challenger Giovanni Lorenzo in a fierce mood and Thursday’s rules meeting was the last straw. "Sturm said last week in an interview posted on Fightnews.com that we could wear any gloves we wanted. At the rules meeting yesterday, Sturm tried to insist that we use only the gloves of his choice, Grant. As we use Everlast, it is unacceptable to make this change" said Lorenzo.

ESPN - Klitschko brothers highlight ESPN's 5-fight lineup for fall

ESPN announced on Thursday a lineup of five boxing events, four of which are international, that will air live in the United States on ESPN3.com, the network's streaming video website that offers various sporting events, and other ESPN networks.

The lineup includes world title bouts involving heavyweight champion brothers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko and middleweight titlist Felix Sturm.

The lineup kicks off with Sturm's defense against Giovanni Lorenzo from Cologne, Germany, on Saturday. Coverage on ESPN3.com and Spanish-language ESPN Deportes begins at 4:30 p.m. ET.