IS sven Ottke underrated

Otkke didn't rob more people that the average defending champion (DLH-Sturm any-one?) - but he defended a whole lot of times - and he had a terrible "style" to watch - hence he is judged harder than a more spetacular champ would have been.

Ottke did exstremly well given his abilities - that said - thank God he is retired!

 

So you admit Ottke was an ambitionless fraud who was happy to handpick opponents, hide in Germany, and live off gift decisions?

Great post. Agree 100 percent.

 

the fact that they turned it down at face value and didn't attempt to negotiate with warren like palle did tells you all you need to know about ottke and his feelings towards the calzaghe fight.

 

not only the ref but the promoter getting involved? WTF...

did you see guys like gary shaw, arum or DLH ringing bells, or getting involved in the middle of the fight?

Clearly fishy

 

He lost to Byron Mitchell, Robin Reid and Charles Brewer

He was over-rated

 

Ottke lost the first Brewer fight, the second he won.
Ottke was a good amateur with over 300fights, as an amateur he won against
Byrd, Moorer, Tarver, Erdei. And he used his amateurish style as a profi, that made his fights unenjoyable but sucessful.

 

He didn't hide - he fought for a legit belt and faced every mandatory - and two gifts in 21 defenses isn't "living off"

Besides that he was crap to watch

 

Not at all - a bid of 1M$ is a joke - and Sauerland knew - so did Warren. The offer was nothing but PR. It would have taken 3-5 times that to make it interesting - or a Palle-counter offer. "We'll take the same offer coming to you" - meaning they could offer to come to Germany if Warren would pay the same... Warren didn't...

Neither Warren nor Sauerland had any interest in that fight being made - they where far better off having their householdname defend at home on their show...

 

I agree that Ottke fought moving in and out, and did it quick. Not as quick and effectively as RJJ or Montell Griffin tho.

But Toney is not only a master counterpuncher, he can fight on the frontfoot too. Yes he had problems with RJJ and Griffin, but that don't mean he always had problems with fast moving opponents. Besides, IMO he beat Griffin twice. He concentrated more and more on counterpunching as his career progressed, but at SMW he was able to fight forward aggressively , and he was a master at cutting off the ring. He wouldn't counterpunch Ottke, but bring the fight to him and bust him up, probably knocking him out in the middle rds. Ottke never faced somebody like Toney. The best thing Ottke could do is run for 12 rds and lose a shutout.

 

As much as Calzaghe huggers would like to think otherwise - this is true.

Calzaghe's 10 year reign, and record number of title defences, came at the EXACT same time as another fighter in his division - who defended the title an equal amount of time. And Calzaghe had a WBOnothing strap, while Ottke had an IBF strap.

 

Ottke and Calzaghe ... best of the world's second tier ... just not elite

 

I agree. The 1 million offer would not have included any money Ottke was earning from German TV, he would have kept that all for himself. But Ottke was earning about 2 million per fight so a 50% pay rise to risk your title against Calzaghe is quite frankly a pittance. Like I said before the money was never there to satisfy both fighters or the promoters to risk their investments. Look what Kessler was paid. If the interest was there the money would have been but niether of them were big enough earners internationally to generate serious purses that could have led to the promoters in risking their investment.

 

Unfortunately for Ottke, outside of Germany his skill is not appreciated at all and he's seen as a bit of a joke. Ottke was very crafty. He was crafty, wily and knew how to influence things in the ring. Not an elite world-beater by a long chalk but was a good operator who Calzaghe would look less than stellar against. Can't ever see anything but a Calzaghe points win though. Too busy, lands too much. But can't see Ottke in trouble either: his fitness levels and movement are too good.

 

so you agree with me....

He lost to Byron Mitchell, Robin Reid and Charles Brewer

He was over-rated. atsch

 

How can a guy be overrated when practically NO ONE ranks him highly?