Jack Culcay


Jack Robert Culcay-Keth is an Ecuador-born German professional boxer. As an amateur he represented Germany, fighting at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the welterweight division, and winning a silver medal at the 2008 European Championships and gold at the 2009 World Championships. He held the WBA interim light-middleweight title between 2015 and 2017.

Amateur career

Culcay took up boxing at the behest of his father in 1998, training at TG 75 Darmstadt. He was relatively unknown in 2007, when he was sent to the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships. But while all the German top fighters exited early he and middleweight Konstantin Buga were the only ones to reach the quarterfinal and qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics. At the World Championships, Culcay beat Jetmir Kuci and Zoran Mitrovic then he lost to eventual American winner Demetrius Andrade. At the Olympics he was edged out in his first bout by Kim Jung-Joo. Culcay went on to win a gold medal at the 2009 World Championships, beating Andrey Zamkovoy in the final match.

Professional career

Culcay turned pro in 2009. He is promoted by Sauerland Promotions. He won his first 14 fights, before losing a split decision to Guido Pitto. Culcay avenged the loss with a narrow unanimous decision win in his next fight. Culcay claimed the European light-middleweight title in August 2014, beating Isaac Real on points.
In May 2015, Culcay faced Maurice Weber for the WBA interim light-middleweight title. Culcay won the bout and the title by unanimous decision. After two successful defenses, Culcay reached an agreement to fight former world champion Demetrius Andrade. The winner would be elevated to WBA champion. The fight took place in March 2017 at the Friedrich-Ebert-Halle in Ludwigshafen, Germany. Andrade won by split decision. Two judges scored the bout 116–112, 116–112 for Andrade whilst the third had it 115–114 for Culcay. The fight was regarded as close, with as many as five rounds being tossed between the two. Sky Sports pundits had Andrade a clear close winner as he outworked Culcay. In the post fight interview, Andrade credited his performance, "I thought I did everything that I needed to do. I came to Germany and took the title. Culcay came like a champion, but I was the better man. I outlanded him and I came out with the victory."

Professional boxing record