Sven Ottke

German Middleweight boxer Sven Ottke participated in three consecutive Olympic Games from 1988-96, reaching the quarter-finals in 1988 and 1992. He started his career in 1981 at Spandau BC 26 Berlin. As an amateur he was European Champion in 1991 and 1996, adding a bronze medal in 1993, and won 11 German Championships. He won 286 out of 335 amateur fights, and turned professional in 1997. Ottke became International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Professional Champion on 24 October 1998, defeating American Charles Brewer. In March 2003 he defeated Sweden’s Armand Kranj to become World Boxing Association (WBA) Champion. Ottke retired in 2004 after defending his world titles in 23 bouts without loss. He had 34 wins in 34 professional matches, ranking third in the list of the best boxers of all-time (as of 2014).

Ottke was educated as a plasterer and later as an industrial clerk. In 1993, he married swimmer Gabi Reha, but they later divorced. He often acted as a color commentator in boxing for German TV channel ARD and frequently took part in several TV shows like “Dancing On Ice” with Mandy Wötzel and the fun sport event Wok World Championships hosted by German TV entertainer Stefan Raab. In 2004 Ottke participated in the Cologne marathon and finished in 3-47:56.