Axel Schulz

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Axel Schulz
Schulz in 2007
Born	(1968-11-09) 9 November 1968 (age 55) Bad Saarow, Bezirk Frankfurt, East Germany
Nationality	German
Other names	Der sanfte Riese ("The Gentle Giant")
Statistics
Weight(s)	Heavyweight
Height	1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Reach	193 cm (76 in)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	33
Wins	26
Wins by KO	11
Losses	5
Draws	1
No contests	1
Medal record Men's amateur boxing Representing  East Germany World Championships 1989 Moscow Heavyweight European Championships 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.