Axel Schulz

Axel Schulz (born 9 November 1968) is a German former professional boxer. He is a three-time world heavyweight title challenger and also held the European heavyweight title. As an amateur he won a bronze medal at the 1989 World Amateur Boxing Championships and silver at the 1989 European Amateur Boxing Championships, after which he turned professional in 1990.

Schulz first fought for a world title in 1995, when he challenged George Foreman for his IBF heavyweight 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 Frans Botha but lost the fight via split decision. However, Botha later tested positive steroids, which led to Schulz receiving a third chance at the title. In 1996 he fought Michael Moorer for the vacant IBF heavyweight title, losing again via split decision.

Amateur career

From 1982 Schulz boxed for the army sports club Vorwärts in Frankfurt (Oder), later becoming the East German youth champion. 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. Record: 78 wins, 20 losses.