28 years ago

Date: 22nd June 1996

Title: vacant IBF World Heavyweight Title

Promoter: Wilfried Sauerland

Tv: ABC Wide World of Sports and Fox Sports Net

Michael Moorer
( 36 - 1 - 0 )
Weight: 222¼ lbs

Axel Schulz
( 21 - 2 - 1 )
Weight: 222¾ lbs

On June 22, 1996, Michael Moorer and Axel Schulz clashed in a battle for the vacant IBF World Heavyweight Title at the Westfalen Stadion in Dortmund, Germany. This event, promoted by Wilfried Sauerland, Cedric Kushner, and Dino Duva, drew an attendance of 21,000, transforming a stadium reserved for soccer into an arena for one of Germany's biggest boxing spectacles since Muhammad Ali vs Karl Mildenberger in 1966. The match was a global affair, broadcast live across 40 countries, showcasing the sport's universal appeal.

Moorer, looking to reclaim his status following a loss to George Foreman in 1994, entered the ring weighing 222 pounds, with Schulz tipping the scales at 223 pounds. Both fighters were compensated handsomely for their efforts, with Moorer earning $3.6 million and Schulz $1.7 million. The fight unfolded with Moorer dominating the early rounds, leveraging his speed and power to establish an early lead. Schulz, however, was not one to back down easily. Despite a sluggish start, the German fighter rallied from the seventh round onwards, mounting an aggressive comeback that brought the crowd to its feet.

The judges' scorecards reflected the fight's intensity and competitiveness, with two favouring Moorer (116-113, 115-113) and one seeing Schulz as the victor (115-113). Moorer's strategy of controlling the early rounds and enduring Schulz's late surge paid dividends, earning him a split-decision victory and the IBF title.

Despite the loss, Schulz displayed sportsmanship, acknowledging Moorer's skill and accepting the outcome. "I think the decision was OK. I can live with it because I think Moorer's one of the best fighters around," Schulz stated, a testament to the respect between the two competitors.

This fight not only reinstated Moorer as a heavyweight champion but also underscored the resilience and determination of both fighters. For Schulz, securing a world title after previous setbacks was a missed opportunity. For Moorer, it was a redemption, a chance to reclaim his place at the top of the heavyweight division, proving once again the unpredictable and thrilling nature of boxing.