I have been watching Sturm's and Ottke's careers basically from the beginning on German TV (I am Austrian). So I like to believe I can answer that question pretty good: they are both exactly on the same level and their careers are pretty much the same. So I cannot put anyone above the other. There are at least 4 or 5 Ottke fights which were gift decisions and Sturm in my opinion got also 2 or 3 gift decisions (Macklin for example) but he didn't fight the level of fighters Ottke fought.
Ottke got gift decisions in his first fight against Charles Brewer, his fight against Robin Reid, Glen Johnson fight, in both Tate fights and maybe one or two more.
Sturm didn't get as many gift decisions but he was fighting guys who are not on the Glen Johnson or Robin Reid level. (exception: de la Hoya)
So to sum it up: Ottke got more gift decisions but he fought better fighters than Sturm.
That being said, they are both decent, good fighters with good skills. Not gonna lie about that. And both had a very defensive, safety first "rely on the paid judges" type of style. Ottke's defense were his high guard and his footwork and Sturm's defense is his high guard alone.
I enjoyed watching both of them, as strange as it sounds.
Ottke got gift decisions in his first fight against Charles Brewer, his fight against Robin Reid, Glen Johnson fight, in both Tate fights and maybe one or two more.
Sturm didn't get as many gift decisions but he was fighting guys who are not on the Glen Johnson or Robin Reid level. (exception: de la Hoya)
So to sum it up: Ottke got more gift decisions but he fought better fighters than Sturm.
That being said, they are both decent, good fighters with good skills. Not gonna lie about that. And both had a very defensive, safety first "rely on the paid judges" type of style. Ottke's defense were his high guard and his footwork and Sturm's defense is his high guard alone.
I enjoyed watching both of them, as strange as it sounds.
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