Boxing legend Ulli Wegner turns 80 on Tuesday. His old protégé Sven Ottke congratulates him in the BZ
By Sven Ottke
Today my coach Ulli Wegner celebrates his 80th birthday. My heartiest congratulations, of course.
What I appreciate most about him is his big heart. For me he is more than just a coach. He’s a father figure. I spent more time with him than with my family. We saw each other almost twice a day. We’re like an old married couple. Really cool. Ulli Wegner is my favorite person, something very special.
Of course, the story with the BMW, a Z4, which I gave the trainer as a present to say goodbye to my career in Magdeburg, was nice. He always wanted to drive a sports car, or two-seater, as he said. He couldn’t pronounce the word cabriolet.
I decided to give Wegner a Z4 as a thank you. But since the car didn’t work out in 2003, I had to extend my career by a year. In 2004 I gave him the thing and was happy about his sparkling eyes and tears of joy in the ring.
What do I wish for Ulli Wegner today? He is a fighter and needs only one thing: health.
Spandau’s Sven Ottke (54) was undefeated super middleweight world champion from 1998 to 2004. Ulli Wegner trained him.
