Chudinov claims WBA super middleweight title after points win over Sturm

Russia's Fedor Chudinov (13-0, 10 KOs) defeated former world middleweight champion Felix Sturm (39-5-3, 18 KOs) by a split decision for the vacant WBA super middleweight title on Saturday night at the Festhalle in Frankfurt, Germany.

The scores were 118-110, 116-112 for Chudinov, and 116-112 for Sturm.

It was a really close fight until Chudinov dominated the last four rounds over the tiring Sturm.

Sturm was sent sprawling back against the ropes with a left-right combo at the end of the ninth round. And the German was close to being stopped in the 10th round, only for Chudinov to lose his mouthguard allowing him some respite.

Chudinov claimed the WBA title, previously held by Britain's Carl Froch, who was stripped of the belt because of inactivity.