sven ottke, how good was he?

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. Ottke held amateur wins over Antonio Tarver, Chris Byrd, Michael Moorer, Zsolt Erdei and Juan Carlos Gomez. Amateur Record: 256-47-5 East Germany Middleweight Champion 1985-1989 German National Middleweight Champion (1990-1991, 1995-1996) German National Light Heavyweight Champion (1992-1993) Three time Olympian As a pro he has beaten Glen Johnson, Anthony Mundine, Charles Brewer, Byron Mitchell and Robin Reid. He retired 34-0. now i know a lot of his fights should have gone the other way but is he overlooked on this forum because of his lack of kos? i dont know... to me he's underrated.

Comments (20)

Dambala

He had some talent, he could box and had some speed too but his undefeated record can't be taken too serious since he got gift decisions and even helped by the referee.

15y ago

maverock

Just watch any of Ward's fights these days. That how good (or bad) Ottke was. A hometown champ fighting ugly fights getting helped by the ref, then being cheered by his fanatic fans as the second coming of Ali.

15y ago

BattlingNelson

Excellent defensive fighter. One of the best defenses the world has ever seen. Near impossible to hit with a clean shot. Long time no.1 rated SMW. He was also one of the most boring fighters to watch. Countless are the saturday nights that I've been watching a snoozefest in the vain hope of getting to see him KTFO. HOF'er.

17y ago

dans

I rank him just behind Sugar Ray Robinson at number 2 on my all time p4p list, just ahead of Armstrong. Demolished fellow all time greats in Mundine and Nardiello and put boxing clinics on Reid, Mitchell, Larson and Johnson. They'll never be anyone else like Ottke ever again.... ...thank **** for for that! End of thread.

17y ago

The_Monk

17y ago

HeartAttack

Ottke was better than good but not close to great. Everyone knows he got a few blatant gift decisions and the only positive highlight of his entire career was a one punch KO of Anthony Mundine. you can catch it on boxen.com His defense was remarkable and his foot speed was very good to go along with his better than average handspeed. His power was basically non-existent (which makes the Mundine KO so damn funny tbh) and when he did get hit good, he responded poorly. A fight with him and Calzaghe should've happened, but the two of them at that time refused to fight the toughest out there. It was nice to see Joe take on Lacy, Kessler, and Hopkins later on though. Ottke was a solid contender and thats it.

17y ago

dans

Its our mutual respect for Calz that binds us! lol. Seriously,that Reid fight was funny as f.uck.The ref kept warning Reid for punching Ottke in the face.Zelenoff would love to take that guy everywhere with him! Yeah ever since you called me a c.unt it's been smooth sailing.

17y ago

IMDAZED

Admittedly I've only seen Ottke fight once but he looked maddeningly hard to penetrate. Very solid defense and movement. Good skills. Not sure about his power. I do know he was considered the world's best SMW up until his retirement - and his quality of opposition wasn't too shabby either.

17y ago

dans

You cannot compare Ottke in any way to fighters like Calzaghe and Mayweather.He was a European title level fighter.If you think decisions and referreeing is dodgy now,believe me it was a shit sight worse when Ottke was plying his trade.Watch the Reid fight and you will see exactly what I mean. crust comes in and straightens us all out. Thanks man, you keep me honest.

17y ago

boxasmash

i'm a little gay boy floyd's dick :la:QUOTE] :greddy2:..................

17y ago

dans

co-sign.................. Haha, I just realized what you did. Good one.

17y ago

dans

Funny as Brewer, Reid and Mitchel beat him and all lost soundly to Calzaghe. I didn't say they were even or that they won the same way or that they fought the same way. All I said was looking at their resumes, they are very comparable. Do you disagree?

17y ago

boxasmash

i'd agree with the "similar to mayweather" quotes too. ducks top fighters, retires undefeated with dodgey decisions, still a good fighter with a good amateur backround just not great.

17y ago

cace

His resume is very similar to Calzaghe minus the wins against the old men at the end. That says more about Calzaghe then Otke though. No one here claims Otke to be an ATG. iagree with that

17y ago

TheGreatA

One of the greats, no doubt.

17y ago

street_bully

Ottke was a good fight, he should have lost a few times though.

17y ago

0094

As good as a lump of shit

17y ago

Ben_London0575

Ottke is similar to Mayweather, talented defensive fighter who wouldn't leave his hometown judges and referees. He ducked Calzaghe, and got a gift decision against Reid. Floyd ducked Mosley, Tszyu, Cotto and a few others, and got a gift decision against Castillo. Ottke = Mayweather.

17y ago

dans

His resume is very similar to Calzaghe minus the wins against the old men at the end. That says more about Calzaghe then Otke though. No one here claims Otke to be an ATG.

17y ago

johnm_is

Better than he gets credit for here. But takes a lot of shit because of so many gift decisions.

17y ago