The 35 year-old was due to be handed the chance to earn a rematch with recent conqueror Sam Soliman at the earliest opportunity, but as publicist Wolfgang Schiffbauer explained to WBN, Sturm was unable to accept the offer.
“The IBF eliminator had to be turned down because Felix suffered an arm injury. Bone chips got into his joint and we are not yet certain if he has to undergo surgery, Schiffbauer told World Boxing News.
“That will be decided once he returns from his vacation. The IBF eliminator would have had to happen this fall but we don’t expect Felix to be healed and ready until late November or maybe even December.
“Therefore, we had to pass on the opportunity, although we were glad and thankful that it was offered to us by the IBF.”
Ex-WBO title holder Hassan N’Dam has been put forward by the International Boxing Federation as the next in line to fight Stevens for a title chance, with the ball now in the Frenchman and manager Gary Hyde’s court.
Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay for tweets of upcoming news on WBN
