Boxing professedly in Norway is banned, so the pro boxer still has to travel abroad to fight

One of my very few disappointments since living in Norway was the ban on professional boxing. It is one of my favourite sports along with football.

I was born in Liverpool the home of football and the "noble art". My Dad had a gymnasium there and he was both a boxer and weight lifter.

I was brought up in a peaceful home but I have to admit I had my share of street fights; maybe it’s in my blood.

It is said that Norways Boxing Federation accepted the ban on the professional sport in order to preserve the amateur game. Ornulf Hansen, the European Amateur Association chairman, revealed the story after keeping silent for 28 years.

He told of the time the president of the Norwegian Olympic Committee, Arne Mollén visited him and said the proffesional sport must be banned. If not, then the department would also aim to ban amateurs. Hansen agreed with of course because his aim was to save the amateur sport.

Professional boxers living in Norway, still have to travel abroad to fight. Denmark is the favourite country for them as it so near. There still doesn’t seem to be any future for the pro game here, but Nearly 30 years on, Norwegian legislators are still revisiting the issue

I boxed a lot when I was in the army and did quite well. I was in Osnabruck for 2 years (BAOR) and during this time I won 3 competitions at middle weight.

I never boxed again when I came home, I just didn’t have the dedication you need to accomplish big things at this wonderful sport.

boxing and home