Boxing: Starie loses but ends up winning

David Starie has received an unlikely reward after one of the worst performances of his career.

The Ipswich 28-year-old suffered an embarrassing points loss to unknown South African Andre Thysse in Carnival City in March.

But somehow Starie has now been handed a crack at double world champion Sven Ottke.

Ottke ought to have been fighting unbeaten WBO champion Joe Calzaghe - who beat Starie in a dreadful contest on the Mike Tyson undercard in Manchester three years ago.

But while Calzaghe continues to mop up the German's victims, Ottke seems intent on facing as undeserving a threat as possible.

Of course Starie seized his chance and is talking up his chances of success in Magdeburg next month.

And he accepted that it was because of boxing's bizarre and often lawless politics that he had got his chance again.

Starie said "I considered retirement for a while but it is funny how this game works.

"That loss got me a world title shot where nine straight knockout victories didn't - and I know I can go to Germany and beat Ottke for those two belts."

Come on Sven Ottke, fight Joe and take on a real champion. I hate it when fighters dodge opponents, be a man and take the fight.