Granit Stein changes trainer and joins secret training camp for Felix Sturm showdown

Trainer change and secret training camp: Granit Stein goes all in before duel with Felix Sturm

Fides Sport's Granit Stein meets boxing legend Felix Sturm on July 11 – and wants to seize the chance of a lifetime

There are only a few days left before his biggest fight as a professional boxer. Granit Stein has reset the course for what might be the decisive step of his career.

For the showdown against boxing icon Felix Sturm on July 11 at the Porsche Arena in Stuttgart, Stein, together with Fides Sports Promotion, has carried out a complete sporting restart – including a change of coach, a new training location, and a completely overhauled fight strategy.

After the controversial loss to Diego Carmona, which many observers saw as extremely close, Stein's team faced the consequences.

Instead of sticking to the previous approach, they completely overhauled their preparation: “After the last close fight, which could have easily been judged differently, we had to rethink our tactics. Together, we suggested to Granit to reorganize himself athletically. These changes are meant to be the key to success against Felix Sturm in the end,” explains promoter Burim Sylejmani from Fides Sports Promotion.

The preparation has been taking place for several weeks away from the public eye in a secluded training camp in the Black Forest as well as in the mountains of France. There, Stein is working under the guidance of his new coach Toklir Xhoxhaj, who currently also trains, among others, the European champion Labinot Xhoxhaj.

In addition to a new coaching team, high-level sparring partners have also been brought in. At the same time, the team meticulously analyzed numerous fights from Felix Sturm's long career to develop a tactical game plan for the German boxing legend's farewell fight: "Felix Sturm is a legend of German boxing, and he has my utmost respect for that. But we are not focusing on the past, we are focusing on July 11 in Stuttgart," says coach Toklir Xhoxhaj.

For a few weeks now, Granit Stein has been preparing for this fight with us in the Black Forest. He’s working extremely hard, is highly motivated, and improves week by week. With my team and European champion Labinot Xhoxhaj, we’ve created the perfect conditions to get him ready physically, technically, and mentally at the highest level.

For the new head coach, it's clear that his protégé won't just be a side character in the final chapter of the five-time world champion's career: 'We know what kind of challenge Felix Sturm represents. At the same time, we also know the potential Granit has. That's why we're not going to Stuttgart to be part of a farewell show, but to deliver a big fight. Granit will step into the ring in the best shape of his career and give it his all to come out as the winner.'

Even Stein himself doesn’t hide the goal he has in mind when he steps into the ring. The fight, which he took on at short notice against one of the greatest German boxers of all time, was from the start more than just a prestigious opportunity for him.  

Nothing was left to chance in the training camp. Every aspect of preparation was questioned, new impulses were introduced, and the tactical plan was specially tailored for Sturm. The team is convinced that this intensive work will pay off on fight night.

Fans can look forward not only to the emotional farewell of Felix Sturm but also to a challenger who is determined to give the great career of the former world champion an unexpected ending. Stein is traveling to Stuttgart with great respect, but with the clear goal of creating probably the biggest surprise of his career so far. 

The fight promises not only sporting excitement but also emotional moments: on one side, a legend putting on his gloves one last time. On the other, a hungry challenger looking to seize the opportunity of a lifetime.

Tickets are available at https://www.easyticket.de/veranstaltung/felix-sturm-one-last-dance/105756