This coming Saturday evening, in his native Germany, 30-year-old Felix Sturm defends his WBA Middleweight title. Taking on the little-known, but undefeated Japanese fighter, Koji Sato, Sturm will be looking to make a sixth successful defence in his second reign as WBA 160 pound king. Not too much is known about the 14-0(13) challenger, apart from the fact that he is younger than Sturm, he is a big puncher statistically, and he will be having only his second fight outside of Japan and his first in Europe.

Though Sturm, 31-2-1(13) is a pretty big betting favourite to win on Saturday, and though he holds a large edge in experience and is expected by most to have a fairly easy night against Sato, the fight could actually be a dangerous one for the champion. Whenever a largely unknown fighter challenges for a world title there is often a tendency on the part of the established fighter to come in somewhat overconfident of victory. Sturm is expected to win, he has held onto his world title (second reign) for two-and-a-half years now, and his fans will be coming to see him keep it against Sato. But an unknown quantity can be a dangerous quantity.

Sato, a pro since April of 2005, actually had his pro debut in Las Vegas – winning a 1st round TKO. Aside from that, the 28-year-old who stands the same height as Sturm at 5’11” has boxed exclusively at home. The challenger can certainly punch.