madjack
18-11-2002, 07:20 AM
Associated Press
Nov. 17, 2002 10:52 a.m.
NUREMBERG, Germany (AP)—
Unbeaten German Sven Ottke defended his IBF supermiddleweight title for the 16th time Saturday, winning a unanimous decision over Denmark's Rudy Markussen.
Ottke didn't take control of the fight against the little-known Dane until the sixth round in a tougher than expected fight. Then his combinations began slipping through Markussen's gloves and helped him pile up points.
All three judges ruled the fight 116-112 for Ottke, who improved to 29-0 with six knockouts.
"It was a hard piece of work," Ottke said. "I really had to run around and throw some punches."
It wasn't one of Ottke's better performances against Markussen, who didn't have the means to really hit the experienced German. But the German also had trouble solving the Dane's style and failed to flash much of the speed and boxing ability that had won most of his fights.
Markussen, 27-1 with 16 knockouts, had his best moment in the first round, charging out and catching Ottke with a hard right uppercut. Markussen who owns a fitness center, won the round clearly.
Afterward, there were some sluggish rounds as neither fighter seemed to be able to land punches.
Starting in the sixth round, Ottke began landing enough combinations to claim most of the remaining rounds. In the 12th, Markussen came out swinging wildly, vainly seeking and failing to find the knockout he needed.
"I think I won this fight," Markussen said.
Ottke, 35, extended his contract earlier in the day with Sauerland Productions, adding another year in hopes of several big fights, with WBA champion Byron Mitchell on the list.
Edited by - madjack on 18 Nov 2002 06:22:04
Nov. 17, 2002 10:52 a.m.
NUREMBERG, Germany (AP)—
Unbeaten German Sven Ottke defended his IBF supermiddleweight title for the 16th time Saturday, winning a unanimous decision over Denmark's Rudy Markussen.
Ottke didn't take control of the fight against the little-known Dane until the sixth round in a tougher than expected fight. Then his combinations began slipping through Markussen's gloves and helped him pile up points.
All three judges ruled the fight 116-112 for Ottke, who improved to 29-0 with six knockouts.
"It was a hard piece of work," Ottke said. "I really had to run around and throw some punches."
It wasn't one of Ottke's better performances against Markussen, who didn't have the means to really hit the experienced German. But the German also had trouble solving the Dane's style and failed to flash much of the speed and boxing ability that had won most of his fights.
Markussen, 27-1 with 16 knockouts, had his best moment in the first round, charging out and catching Ottke with a hard right uppercut. Markussen who owns a fitness center, won the round clearly.
Afterward, there were some sluggish rounds as neither fighter seemed to be able to land punches.
Starting in the sixth round, Ottke began landing enough combinations to claim most of the remaining rounds. In the 12th, Markussen came out swinging wildly, vainly seeking and failing to find the knockout he needed.
"I think I won this fight," Markussen said.
Ottke, 35, extended his contract earlier in the day with Sauerland Productions, adding another year in hopes of several big fights, with WBA champion Byron Mitchell on the list.
Edited by - madjack on 18 Nov 2002 06:22:04