Legendary German Boxer and Trainer Manfred Wolke Passes Away at 81
The boxing community is mourning the loss of Manfred Wolke, a renowned German boxer and trainer, who has died at the age of 81. Wolke, representing East Germany, achieved remarkable success in his amateur career, winning a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City and a silver medal at the European championships in 1967 and 1971. He finished his amateur journey with an impressive record of 236 wins and 22 losses.
After retiring from active competition, Wolke transitioned into coaching, where he continued to leave an indelible mark on the sport. He coached Rudi Fink to a gold medal at the 1980 Olympics and guided the legendary Henry Maske to a gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. When Maske turned professional under Wilfried Sauerland’s promotion, Wolke joined as his coach, playing a pivotal role in the German boxing boom of the 1990s.
Wolke’s expertise extended beyond Maske, as he also trained heavyweight Axel Schulz, who narrowly lost to George Foreman in 1995 in a bout many believed Schulz had won. Additionally, Wolke coached Danilo Haussler, who captured the EBU title during his tenure.
“Wolke’s fighters were known for their exceptional conditioning, defensive skills, and the ability to get the job done, even if it occasionally came at the expense of entertainment value. His unwavering dedication and tactical acumen made him a respected figure among boxing enthusiasts in Germany and beyond.”
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