masterman
Nachwuchsspieler
slipping in and out
Ottke wins split decision over Mitchell to unify titles
BY ROY KAMMERER
Associated Press
Mar. 16, 2003 1:26 a.m.
BERLIN (AP)—
Germany's Sven Ottke outpointed American Byron Mitchell to unify the IBF and WBA super middleweight titles on Saturday night.
Ottke, the IBF champion, and WBA champion Mitchell traded blows throughout the 12 rounds with the German appearing to pile up more points with his lunging style, slipping in and out against the American.
The judges ruled it 115-113, 116-114 for Ottke and 116-112 for Mitchell.
Ottke improved to 30-0 after successfully defending his title for the 17th time, while Mitchell dropped to 25-2-1.
"It wasn't the hardest fight of my career," said Ottke, who became the first German-born fighter to win two titles. "The 12th round was (bad), but the rest was great."
Mitchell staggered Ottke in the 12th round, hitting with a pair of lefts and a right - possibly the best punches of the fight. But Ottke, whose face was visibly bruised, tied up Mitchell, ran and survived the round easily.
Mitchell surprisingly didn't contest the decision and there were few complaints from his camp.
"It was a very, very close fight, but he won it," Mitchell said. "He was just a little faster."
Mitchell's trainer, Al Bonani, saw the fight differently.
"Look at Ottke's face - he's the one going to the hospital," Bonani said. "I think my fighter won."
Ottke often lunged in against Mitchell, and Mitchell was only able to cover up his face with his gloves.
Mitchell also tagged Ottke often with his left, but rarely could follow the punch with his more powerful right. By the eighth round, Mitchell's corner was telling him, "You may need a knockout."
The 10,000 in attendance at Berlin's Max Schmeling Hall gave both fighters a standing ovation when the final bell rang.
Ottke wins split decision over Mitchell to unify titles
BY ROY KAMMERER
Associated Press
Mar. 16, 2003 1:26 a.m.
BERLIN (AP)—
Germany's Sven Ottke outpointed American Byron Mitchell to unify the IBF and WBA super middleweight titles on Saturday night.
Ottke, the IBF champion, and WBA champion Mitchell traded blows throughout the 12 rounds with the German appearing to pile up more points with his lunging style, slipping in and out against the American.
The judges ruled it 115-113, 116-114 for Ottke and 116-112 for Mitchell.
Ottke improved to 30-0 after successfully defending his title for the 17th time, while Mitchell dropped to 25-2-1.
"It wasn't the hardest fight of my career," said Ottke, who became the first German-born fighter to win two titles. "The 12th round was (bad), but the rest was great."
Mitchell staggered Ottke in the 12th round, hitting with a pair of lefts and a right - possibly the best punches of the fight. But Ottke, whose face was visibly bruised, tied up Mitchell, ran and survived the round easily.
Mitchell surprisingly didn't contest the decision and there were few complaints from his camp.
"It was a very, very close fight, but he won it," Mitchell said. "He was just a little faster."
Mitchell's trainer, Al Bonani, saw the fight differently.
"Look at Ottke's face - he's the one going to the hospital," Bonani said. "I think my fighter won."
Ottke often lunged in against Mitchell, and Mitchell was only able to cover up his face with his gloves.
Mitchell also tagged Ottke often with his left, but rarely could follow the punch with his more powerful right. By the eighth round, Mitchell's corner was telling him, "You may need a knockout."
The 10,000 in attendance at Berlin's Max Schmeling Hall gave both fighters a standing ovation when the final bell rang.