Axel Schulz
Schulz in 2007
Born (1968-11-09) 9 November 1968
Bad Saarow, Bezirk Frankfurt, East Germany
NationalityGerman
Other namesDer sanfte Riese
("The Gentle Giant")
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Reach193 cm (76 in)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights33
Wins26
Wins by KO11
Losses5
Draws1
No contests1
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  East Germany
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1989 Moscow Heavyweight
European Championships
Silver medal – second place 1989 Athens Heavyweight

Axel Schulz (born 9 November 1968) is a German former professional boxer who competed from 1990 to 1999, and in 2006. He challenged three times for both the IBF and European heavyweight titles. As an amateur he won a bronze medal at the 1989 World Championships and silver at the 1989 European Championships, both in the heavyweight division.

Schulz first fought for a world championship in 1995, when he challenged George Foreman for his IBF title. Schulz lost a very close majority decision, but was immediately granted a second opportunity at the title in the same year. With Foreman having vacated the title after refusing a rematch, Schulz faced Francois Botha but this time lost via (a controversial) split decision. However, Botha later failed a drug test, which led to Schulz receiving a third chance at the title. In 1996 he fought Michael Moorer for the vacant IBF title, losing again via split decision. During his career, Schulz also fought Jeremy Williams and former world champions Henry Akinwande, James Smith and Wladimir Klitschko.

Amateur career

Axel Schulz and Torsten Schmitz at the awards ceremony of the 1989 Chemistry Cup
Axel Schulz and Torsten Schmitz at the awards ceremony of the 1989 Chemistry Cup

From 1982 Schulz boxed for the army sports club Vorwärts in Frankfurt (Oder), later becoming the East German youth champion. From 1986 onward, he was a Stasi informer under the codename "Markus".[1] At the junior European championships in Denmark in 1986, Schulz won the light-heavyweight title, and in 1988, under the tutelage of Manfred Wolke, he became East German heavyweight champion. In 1989 he won the Chemiepokal in Halle (Saale), the silver medal at European Championships in Athens, and a bronze medal in the world championships in Moscow, where he lost to Félix Savón. Amateur record: 78 wins, 20 losses.

Professional career

After reunification, Schulz turned professional. In 1992 he became German heavyweight champion after defeating Bernd Friedrich in Kassel.

1992 and 1993 saw two fights against Henry Akinwande for the European championship. The first fight was declared a draw, but in the return match Schulz suffered his first professional defeat.

IBF heavyweight title challenges

On 22 April 1995 Schulz fought George Foreman for the IBF heavyweight title, losing controversially on points. This was Foreman's first fight since regaining the title from Michael Moorer, and Schulz was viewed at the time as being a weak, unknown opponent. After refusing a rematch, Foreman was stripped of his title and Schulz was given a second opportunity when he fought Francois Botha for the vacant title on 12 December 1995. Following a split decision verdict in Botha's favour, the result was changed to a no-contest when Botha failed a doping test. A third chance followed for Schulz on 22 June 1996 when he faced Michael Moorer for the still vacant title. Moorer won on points.

Several fights against lower quality opposition followed. These included a stoppage victory over Kevin McBride, who eight years later would defeat a badly faded Mike Tyson. Schulz ended his career after suffering a stoppage at the hands of Wladimir Klitschko on 25 September 1999 for the vacant European championship. Schulz had been thoroughly outclassed. In the end, despite lofty expectations after the George Foreman fight, Schulz was unable to win a title at European or world level.

Comeback attempt

Since the end of his career Schulz has worked in television as a summariser. In December 2005 he received an offer to fight again from Carl King, the stepson of the boxing promoter Don King. His comeback fight took place on November 25, 2006, against Brian Minto. He lost the fight in the sixth Round (T.K.O.).

He retired with a record with 26-5-1 and one no contest with 11 knockouts.

Axel Schulz married in March 2006. He and his wife had their first child, a girl, on 19 August 2006: Paulina Patricia Clara and another girl born in January 2010: Amelina Patricia Hedwig.

Professional boxing record

33 fights 26 wins 5 losses
By knockout 11 2
By decision 15 3
Draws 1
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
33 Loss 26–5–1 (1) United States Brian Minto TKO 6 (10), 1:30 25 Nov 2006 Germany Gerry Weber Stadion, Halle, Germany
32 Loss 26–4–1 (1) Ukraine Wladimir Klitschko TKO 8 (12), 2:42 25 Sep 1999 Germany Kölnarena, Cologne, Germany For WBA Inter-Continental and vacant European heavyweight titles
31 Win 26–3–1 (1) United States Richard Mason UD 10 22 Aug 1998 Germany Trade Fair, Leipzig, Germany
30 Win 25–3–1 (1) United Kingdom Julius Francis UD 12 28 Feb 1998 Germany Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, Germany
29 Win 24–3–1 (1) Republic of Ireland Kevin McBride TKO 9 (10) 30 Aug 1997 Germany Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, Germany
28 Win 23–3–1 (1) Spain Jorge Valdes UD 10 26 Apr 1997 Germany Leipzig, Germany
27 Win 22–3–1 (1) Cuba Jose Ribalta UD 10 7 Dec 1996 Austria Vienna, Austria
26 Loss 21–3–1 (1) United States Michael Moorer SD 12 22 Jun 1996 Germany Westfalenstadion, Dortmund, Germany For vacant IBF heavyweight title
25 NC 21–2–1 (1) South Africa Francois Botha SD 12 9 Dec 1995 Germany Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, Germany Vacant IBF heavyweight title at stake;
Originally an SD win for Botha, later ruled an NC after he failed a drug test
24 Loss 21–2–1 United States George Foreman MD 12 22 Apr 1995 United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, US For IBF and vacant WBU heavyweight titles
23 Win 21–1–1 United States James Smith UD 10 17 Sep 1994 Germany Leverkusen, Germany
22 Win 20–1–1 United States Jack Basting UD 10 18 Jun 1994 United States Bismarck Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, US
21 Win 19–1–1 United States Troy Jefferson PTS 8 4 Jun 1994 Germany Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, Germany
20 Win 18–1–1 United States Al Evans TKO 3 (10) 7 May 1994 Germany Sporthalle Oberwerth, Koblenz, Germany
19 Win 17–1–1 United States Carlton West KO 2 16 Oct 1993 Germany Koblenz, Germany
18 Win 16–1–1 United States Kimmuel Odum UD 10 7 Aug 1993 United States Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
17 Loss 15–1–1 United Kingdom Henry Akinwande UD 12 1 May 1993 Germany Sporthalle Charlottenburg, Berlin, Germany For vacant European heavyweight title
16 Draw 15–0–1 United Kingdom Henry Akinwande MD 12 19 Dec 1992 Germany Berlin, Germany For vacant European heavyweight title
15 Win 15–0 United States Ricky Parkey PTS 8 2 Oct 1992 Germany Deutschlandhalle, Berlin, Germany
14 Win 14–0 Germany Bernd Friedrich UD 10 19 Sep 1992 Germany Kassel, Germany Won vacant Germany BDB heavyweight title
13 Win 13–0 Hungary Laszlo Paszterko PTS 8 25 Apr 1992 Germany Berlin, Germany
12 Win 12–0 United Kingdom Gary McCrory TKO 2 (8) 6 Mar 1992 Germany Berlin, Germany
11 Win 11–0 United States Ricardo Spain TKO 2 (8) 28 Jan 1992 Germany Legien-Center, Berlin, Germany
10 Win 10–0 United States Charles Dixon KO 2 6 Dec 1991 Germany Düsseldorf, Germany
9 Win 9–0 Sierra Leone David Muhammed PTS 8 2 Oct 1991 Germany Halle, Germany
8 Win 8–0 United Kingdom Steve Gee KO 2 (8) 13 Sep 1991 Germany Düsseldorf, Germany
7 Win 7–0 Hungary Laszlo Virag TKO 3 28 Jun 1991 Germany Dinslaken, Germany
6 Win 6–0 United Kingdom Steve Garber KO 5 (8) 31 May 1991 Germany Berlin, Germany
5 Win 5–0 Netherlands Ramon Voorn TKO 5, 2:39 28 Feb 1991 Germany Philips Halle, Düsseldorf, Germany
4 Win 4–0 Netherlands Ramon Voorn PTS 6 14 Dec 1990 Germany Europahalle, Karlsruhe, Germany
3 Win 3–0 United Kingdom Barry Ellis PTS 6 7 Dec 1990 Germany Berlin, Germany
2 Win 2–0 Germany Jens Ploesser TKO 1 16 Nov 1990 Germany Sporthalle Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany
1 Win 1–0 Uganda George Ajio UD 6 5 Oct 1990 Germany Philips Halle, Düsseldorf, Germany

Television viewership

Germany

DateFightViewership (avg.)Source(s)
22 April 1995
 George Foreman vs. Axel Schulz
3,900,000
 [2][3]
9 December 1995
 Axel Schulz vs. Francois Botha
18,030,000
 [4]
22 June 1996
 Axel Schulz vs. Michael Moorer
11,000,000
 [3]
7 December 1996
 Axel Schulz vs. Jose Ribalta
8,940,000
 [5]
28 February 1998
 Axel Schulz vs. Julius Francis
8,370,000
 [6]
25 September 1999
 Axel Schulz vs. Wladimir Klitschko
10,530,000
 [7][8]
25 November 2006
 Axel Schulz vs. Brian Minto
11,530,000
 [9]
Total viewership 74,300,000

Citations

  1. ↑ "Axel Schulz gibt Stasi-Mitarbeit zu". Mitteldeutsche Zeitung. 1995-10-26. Archived from the original on 2012-01-01. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  2. ↑ "Als Schulz gegen Foreman die Niederlage seines Lebens kassierte" (in German). 20 April 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Boxen bei RTL - Die größten Quoten-Erfolge" (in German). 14 November 2006. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  4. ↑ "Die Faust, die die Boxwelt veränderte" (in German). 20 March 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  5. ↑ "Endlich! Nach 20 Monaten siegt Axel Schulz wieder" (in German). 9 December 1996. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  6. ↑ "Axel Schulz bezwingt In Dortmund Julius Francis" (in German). 1 March 1998. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  7. ↑ "Wladimir Klitschko Profile - East Side Boxing". Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  8. ↑ "Die Schwergewichtsboxer Vitali und Wladimir Klitschko über Hiebe, Geld und den Showdown in Las Vegas" (in German). Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  9. ↑ "Boxen: Debakel für Axel Schulz, Triumph für RTL" (in German). 26 November 2006. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
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