Frankfurt, Germany (SportsNetwork.com) - Russian Fedor Chudinov claimed the vacant WBA super middleweight title with a 12-round split decision over four- time middleweight champion Felix Sturm of Germany on Saturday.
Judge Robert Hoyle scored it 118-110 and Victor Simons also had Chudinov (13-0, 10 KOs) ahead, 116-112. Judge Juan Manuel Garcia Reyes scored the bout 116-112 in favor of Sturm (39-5-3, 18 KOs), who was coming off a split decision draw to Robert Stieglitz on Nov. 8, 2014.
The belt was made vacant when Carl Froch was stripped of the title earlier this week. He beat George Gropves at Wembley Stadium in London on May 31, 2014, but has not fought since that time.
Reports have been circulating that Froch may announce his retirement next week.
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