Sven Ottke is a German former professional boxer who held the IBF and WBA super-middleweight titles.
Career
Sven Ottke served two apprenticeships as a plasterer and industrial clerk. Ten further titles would follow. He took part in the 1988, 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games.
Ottke held amateur wins over Antonio Tarver, Chris Byrd, Michael Moorer, Zsolt Erdei and Juan Carlos Gomez.
Amateur Record: 256-47-5
Three time Olympian
Ottke has a record of 34 wins and 0 losses as a professional, of which 6 were by knockout. He was named IBF "Fighter of the Year" in 2003.
In May 2008, a comeback was planned against Dariusz Michalczewski in Germany, but the match never materialized.
Achievements
He made 21 successful title defences, and was the third European boxer to retire as an undefeated world champion, after Terry Marsh and Michael Loewe. Joe Calzaghe later became the fourth. As an amateur, Ottke won a bronze medal at the 1989 World Amateur Boxing Championships.
He rebutted his critics, which had complained that he had started too late, when he became German Champion at the age of 18 at Middleweight.
He became European Champion in 1991 and 1996, and came third in 1993. German Middleweight Champion (FRG) 1985-1989
German National Middleweight Champion (1990–1991, 1995–1996)
German National Light Heavyweight Champion (1992–1993)
After 308 fights as an amateur, of which he won 256, he turned professional in 1997.
Less than a year later on 24 October 1998, he won the IBF super middleweight championship from Charles Brewer via a disputed decision victory. After this he made 16 successful defenses of his IBF title against fighters such as Thomas Tate (twice), Glencoffe Johnson, Silvio Branco, James Butler, Anthony Mundine, Charles Brewer in a rematch, and a controversial points win against Robin Reid.
He was at the peak of his career when he won the WBA title on 13 March 2003 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 27 March 2004.
Membership
He became a member of the boxing club Spandauer British Columbia 26 Berlin at the age of 14.
