Sven Ottke
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Sven Ottke (born June 3, 1967 in Berlin/Tempelhof) was a German professional boxer from 1997 until 2004.
Sven Ottke served two apprenticeships as a plasterer and industrial clerk. He became a member of the boxing club Spandauer BC 26 Berlin at the age of 14. In his own words, he began boxing because he always came second in other sports. He rebutted his critics, which had complained that he had started too late, when he became German Champion at the tender age of 18 at Middleweight. Ten further titles would follow. He took part in the 1988, 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games . He became European Champion in 1991 and 1996, and came third in 1993.
After 335 fights as an amateur, of which he won 286, he turned professional in 1997. Less than a year later on October 24, 1998, he won the IBF-Super Middleweight Championship from Charles Brewer. After this he made 16 successful defenses of his IBF Title against some top fighters like Thomas Tate, Glencoffe Johnson, Silvio Branco, James Butler, Anthony Mundine, Joe Gatti. He was at the peak of his career when he added the WBA version on March 13, 2003 in a fight against WBA champion Byron Mitchell, winning by split points decision.
After successfully defending his title 21 times, Ottke stepped down as undefeated World Champion on March 27, 2004. Ottke has a record of 34 wins and 0 losses as a professional, of which 6 were by knockout. He became IBF-fighter of the year in 2003. Ottke has been criticised and unpopular in some quarters for his defensive but skillful style of boxing, coupled with the fact he had only one fight outside Germany as a professional, in Austria. Many of the decision wins awarded to Ottke in his title defences were considered to be controversial, notably the fights with Robin Reid and, to a lesser degree, Glen Johnson.
| Preceded by Charles Brewer |
IBF Super Middleweight Champion 24 Oct 1998 – 27 March 2004 (retires) |
Succeeded by Jeff Lacy |
| Preceded by Byron Mitchell |
WBA Super Middleweight Champion 15 Mar 2003 – 27 March 2004 (retires) |
Succeeded by Anthony Mundine |
