BOXING

• Sturm tops Sylvester to retain WBA middleweight crown

  
  

  Oberhausen, Germany (Sports Network) - Felix Sturm scored a unanimous decision over Sebastian Sylvester to keep his WBA middleweight belt in an all-German bout at Konig Pilsener Arena on Saturday.

  Sturm (31-2-1) used a constant barrage of punches plus timely defense against countryman Sylvester (29-3) throughout the 12-round contest to earn the victory with dual 118-110 results followed by a 119-109 score. For the 28- year-old loser, it was a good showing in his first career title bout.

  In addition, WBO junior middleweight champ Sergei Dzindziruk (36-0) came away with his fifth successful title defense in a unanimous decision over Joel Julio.

  Julio (34-2) had the title-holder on the ropes a bit early but wore down in the later rounds.

  Also Saturday, WBA junior welterweight Marcos Rene Maidana (25-0, 24 KOs) recorded a second-round knockout against Silverio Ortiz (19-12).

  11/01 21:11:53 ET