Felix Sturm vs. Robert Stieglitz: Fight Time, Date, TV Info and More

Germany will be watching intently on Saturday when Felix "The Fighter" Sturm (39-4-2, 18 KO) takes on Robert Stieglitz (47-4, 27 KO) at a catchweight of 166 pounds from the Porsche Arena in Stuttgart, Germany. Sturm is coming off a loss in which he dropped the IBF middleweight title to Sam Soliman.

Stieglitz won his last bout over Sergey Khomitsky, but that was a rebound fight after losing the third bout in his trilogy with Arthur Abraham in March.

"

@Studhardt22 Stieglitz is a hot and cold fighter that's mostly cold. Sturm just off a bad performance as well. Both are due to shine.

— Ryan Bivins (@RyanBivins) November 3, 2014"

Stieglitz and Sturm are perhaps the most popular German fighters in the world. To be facing each other in their home country is a huge deal. Anson Wainwright of The Ring Magazine calls it "one of the biggest all-German fights in recent years."

The arena figures to be raucous with both fighters having their share of followers.

Here's how you can watch.

When: Saturday, Nov. 8 at 4:30 p.m. ET

Where: Porsche Arena in Stuttgart, Germany

TV: SAT1

Sturm's Clock is Ticking

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

In addition to the geographical significance, this is an important bout for The Fighter from a time standpoint.

Sturm is 35 years old. His best days are behind him. It's possible that he may not be able to comfortably make 160 pounds anymore. That could have something to do with why this bout is taking place at a catchweight.

If he loses, it will be his second in a row, and there's no doubt questions about retirement will become commonplace. Sturm was never gifted with the type of punching power that could compensate for lost reflexes or quickness.

If his skills begin to erode, it will spell doom for him rather quickly. Soliman outworked Sturm. He constantly beat him to the punch in exchanges. The stiff and accurate jab that helped to establish Sturm as an upper-echelon middleweight wasn't effective.

If it doesn't resurface against Stieglitz, Sturm will lose again, and this one could put an end to his career. If he wins, there's a chance he could step into the ring with Abraham. Sturm told Wainwright:

"

Fighting Arthur Abraham would be an even bigger fight than the Stieglitz one. The public wanted us to step into the ring for years but it was never possible due to rival promoters and TV companies. But Abraham and his promoter, Sauerland, recently signed a TV deal with SAT.1, the network I’ve been fighting on since I became my own promoter. That, of course, makes negotiations easier. Therefore, after Stieglitz, fighting Abraham is certainly a great option.

"

Should Stieglitz take offense to the fact that Sturm is already looking past him? Probably so, but the question is: Can he do anything about it?

At a Crossroads

Jens Schlueter/Getty Images

What does Stieglitz do after this bout—win or lose?

He lost the rubber match to Abraham, and he doesn't appear to be interested in venturing outside of Germany to fight any of the top 168-pounders.

A loss would certainly be damaging. Most consider Sturm to be over the hill and past his prime. A win might resonate with German fans, but it won't provide much of a future beyond taking on lesser-known contenders. 

It's clear Stieglitz and Sturm can both make a handsome living competing almost exclusively in Germany. However, to be considered one of the world's best, they must broaden their horizons. If Stieglitz wins, we'll see if he's game.

Prediction

There was a time when the stiff Sturm jab was one of the better weapons of the weight region, but that time has passed. The snap on the punch has tailed off in his most recent fights, and opponents are able to counter over the top of it more frequently.

Soliman did this and employed solid head movement when he knocked off Sturm.

I expect Stieglitz to do the same. His work rate will be higher, and he'll get the best of the bout's exchanges. Stieglitz will likely stun Sturm at least once in the bout, but he won't be able to finish him.

Instead, look for Stieglitz to earn the unanimous-decision win.

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.