FORMER unified super-middleweight champion Sven Ottke is in hospital following a road accident, according to reports coming from German media. Ottke was riding his bicycle in Mallorca when he was hit by a car.
Suffering leg and shoulder injuries, the Spandau man will need screws inserted into his leg, with surgery due to take place early next week. A keen cyclist, Ottke owns property on the Spanish island and is known for taking long cycles, as well as regular golfing trips.
Now 58, Ottke campaigned as a successful pro from 1997-2004, exiting the sport 21 years ago with a perfect 34-0 record. The six KOs show that ‘The Phantom’ was very much a boxer than a puncher, although his come-from-behind 10th-round stoppage of Anthony Mundine in 2001 became one of his more notable victories.
That was part of a staggering run of 21 defences of the IBF 168-pound title he picked up from Charles Brewer in 1998. Ottke’s run with the IBF belt included wins over notable names such as Glen Johnson, Charles Brewer in a rematch (both were split decisions), the infamous James ‘Hammer’ Butler and 27-0 Rudy Markussen.
In 2003, Ottke picked up the WBA super-middleweight title, defeating American Byron Mitchell by split decision. One of the regrets at the time was that the German did not unify with WBO champion Joe Calzaghe. He did, however, defeat Calzaghe’s old rival Robin Reid in 2003. Every fight Ottke had was in Germany, leading to some contentious moments.
Ottke’s career coach and longtime friend, Ulli Wegner, offered an update, as reported through the Geo Super News website: “Sven Ottke is doing well under the circumstances. I will visit him in the clinic on Wednesday. He was simply run over,” said the veteran coach.
