The fight for the vacant European championship between Wladimir Klitschko and Axel Schulz took place 25 years ago today. It was to be Schulz’s last fight for the time being.
After missing out on three world championship opportunities, Axel Schulz gets another chance to fight for the European title on September 25, 1999. But in the duel with the up-and-coming Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko, the public’s favorite has no chance. Around eleven million people watch on RTL as Schulz is thrashed by “Dr. Steelhammer” – Klitschko wins in the eighth round by T.K.O. Schulz announces his retirement after the fight while still in the ring at the Kölnarena.