Mads Larsen

Mads Larsen (born 9 February 1973 in Mårslet, Denmark), known as Golden Boy, is a former professional boxer. In his career Larsen has held the European, IBO and World Boxing Federation (WBF) world super middleweight champion. He lost in his challenge for the WBA and IBF titles against Sven Ottke.

In October 1993, Larsen turned professional winning his first fight in Storebaelthallen, Korsoer, Denmark on the undercard of a bill that included Danish stars Johnny Bredahl, Jimmy Bredahl and Brian Nielsen. In that fight Larsen beat England's Martin Jolley with a knockout in the fourth round.

Title fights

After 18 fights and a record of 17 wins and 1 lose (one cuts), Larsen won his first title belt, the vacant IBO world super middleweight title, in May 1997 with a fourth round knockout win over American Shannon Landberg.

Larsen went on to win his next 10 straight fights, including three defenses of his IBO title. In his next fight in March 1999, Larsen retained his IBO title and also picked up the WBF title with a win over Thulani "Sugar Boy" Malinga with a tenth round knockout on home turf at the Falconer Centret, Copenhagen.

Ottke fight

Larsen won his next fifteen fights and remained unbeaten when he signed for his highest profile fight in September 2003 at the Messehalle, Erfurt, Thuringia, in Germany when he challenged fellow unbeaten fight, the German, Sven Ottke for his WBA and IBF super middleweight titles. However, Larsen suffered the second defeat of his career when Ottke beat Larsen. After a hard fought fight Larsen lost on points by a majority decision.

Larsen then won a European super middleweight title only one month later, beating German Danilo Haussler on points.

Following a shoulder injury as well as a promotion dispute, Larsen spent over three years out of the ring and returned in May 2007 after he signed with Sauerland Promotions Since his return, Larsen has won all his fights and currently has an EBU title fight scheduled for January 16, 2010 in Aarhus, Denmark. Opponent was originally planned to be Dimitri Sartison, who lost to Mikkel Kessler in a WBA Title bout in June 2008.

Larsen made an unsuccessful comeback bid in February 2010, suffering a TKO to Brian Magee. After the fight, Larsen was accused of doping on the basis of a blood-sample, but was later cleared of all charges by the Danish Boxing Association