Axel Schulz (born 9 November 1968) is a German former professional boxer who competed between 1990 and 2006. He challenged three times for the IBF heavyweight title in 1995 and 1996. At regional level, he held the German heavyweight title in 1992; and challenged three times for the European heavyweight title in 1992, 1993 and 1999. As an amateur, he won a bronze medal at the 1989 World Championships and silver at the 1989 European Championships. He holds a notable win over former world heavyweight champion James Smith.
Amateur career
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". 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 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.).
Retirement He retired with a record with 26-5-1 and one no contest with 11 knockouts.
Personal life 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
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes33LossBrian MintoTKO6 (10), 25 Nov 200632Loss26–4–1 Wladimir KlitschkoTKO8 (12), 25 Sep 199931Win26–3–1 Richard MasonUD1022 Aug 199830Win25–3–1 Julius FrancisUD1228 Feb 199829Win24–3–1 Kevin McBrideTKO9 (10)30 Aug 199728Win23–3–1 Jorge ValdesUD1026 Apr 199727Win22–3–1 Jose RibaltaUD107 Dec 199626Loss21–3–1 Michael MoorerSD1222 Jun 19962521–2–1 Francois Botha129 Dec 199524Loss21–2–1George Foreman1222 Apr 199523Win21–1–1James SmithUD1017 Sep 199422Win20–1–1Jack BastingUD1018 Jun 199421Win19–1–1Troy JeffersonPTS84 Jun 199420Win18–1–1Al EvansTKO3 (10)7 May 199419Win17–1–1Carlton WestKO216 Oct 199318Win16–1–1Kimmuel OdumUD107 Aug 199317Loss15–1–1Henry AkinwandeUD121 May 199316Draw15–0–1Henry Akinwande1219 Dec 199215Win15–0Ricky ParkeyPTS82 Oct 199214Win14–0Bernd FriedrichUD1019 Sep 199213Win13–0Laszlo PaszterkoPTS825 Apr 199212Win12–0Gary McCroryTKO2 (8)6 Mar 199211Win11–0Ricardo SpainTKO2 (8)28 Jan 199210Win10–0Charles DixonKO26 Dec 19919Win9–0David MuhammedPTS82 Oct 19918Win8–0Steve GeeKO2 (8)13 Sep 19917Win7–0Laszlo ViragTKO328 Jun 19916Win6–0Steve Garber5 (8)31 May 19915Win5–0Ramon VoornTKO5, 28 Feb 19914Win4–0Ramon VoornPTS614 Dec 19903Win3–0Barry Ellis67 Dec 19902Win2–0Jens Ploesser116 Nov 19901Win1–0George Ajio65 Oct 1990
Viewership
Germany
Date Fight Viewership () Source(s) George Foreman vs. Axel Schulz Axel Schulz vs. Francois Botha Axel Schulz vs. Michael Moorer Axel Schulz vs. Jose Ribalta Axel Schulz vs. Julius Francis Axel Schulz vs. Wladimir Klitschko Axel Schulz vs. Brian Minto Total viewership 74,300,000
Citations
External links