Swedish Boxers Prevail Despite Ban
By Denzel Ivarsson
10.12 - Professional boxing is banned in Sweden but despite that fact there are quite a number of talented fighters in the pro-section and with the recent decision by the international amateur boxing federation (AIBA) to allow professional boxers to compete at the Olympics, it seems hard to maintain the ban. Sweden is one of five countries in the World that has a law that forbids professional boxing, the other four are: Cuba, Northern Korea, Iceland and Norway. Still, Sweden has to be considered a very active pro-boxing nation! Just take a look at the active boxers down below and you will realize that the ban does nothing to prevent those with Swedish decent to take part in prize-boxing if they choose to do so! It's a fact! And it should be about time that the Swedish politicians opened their eyes to the fact that the ban does more harm than it does good. If professional boxing were allowed in Sweden, the Nation could be a force to be reckoned with in European pro-boxing. Nobody can deny that the stubborn, money-earning pugilists from North are doing a nice job abroad!
Paolo Roberto, Welterweight: Top class fighter, who just recently captured the first title (The WBC international crown) in his career, when he out pointed Argentinean Raul Eduardo Bejarano in Marihamn, Finland on the 16th of November. Paolo, an aggressive southpaw-boxer that sports an impressive record of 27-3-1, is climbing the ranks and could possible be looking forward to another World title opportunity at his new weight-class. He campaigned at junior middleweight and middleweight previously and had tries at World titles in both weight categories against Spaniard Javier Castillejo for the WBC junior middle title, L TKO 7 and with Armand Krajnc for the WBO middleweight belt, L12.
Armand Krajnc, Super middleweight: The former WBO middleweight champion suffered a career-breaking loss to the hands of Russian Sergey Tatevosyan in his latest outing, that rendered him a longer stay in the hospital due to a minor blood-clot in the brain. He has been medically cleared and is now according to the press, set for a comeback fight again and will start all over at a new weight (super middleweight). At his best he is undoubtedly World-class calibre . His current record 26-2-0 and he hold wins over such respectable foes as, Jason Matthews, Bert Schenk and countryman Paolo Roberto.
Attila Levin, Heavyweight: A very promising heavyweight that just recently underwent surgery on his troubling shoulder and is set for a comeback in the New Year. Levin has great potential, and is one of legendary trainer Angelo Dundee's greatest hopes for the future. He is managed by former George Scott manager Gary Trevett and has put together a beautiful record of 25-1-0. He has yet to be tested at World level but holds 10 round victories over journeymen Ron Guerrero (W10) and Klitschko beater, Ross Puritty (W10).
Tonton Semakala, Welterweight: A highly talented welterweight who is managed by New York manager Mike Marley and is with his 15-0-0, 4KO record on the verge of breaking on to the elite level at his weight. Tonton was a World-class amateur and captured bronze-medal at the World championships in Budapest Hungary in 1997. He has of late been featured on the Palle-cards in Denmark.
Milan Mircovic, Junior middleweight: Milan who is genuinely Swedish but has his roots in former Yugoslavia (Serbia) is according to himself somewhat of a hobby-boxer. A businessman in his life outside of boxing. He has despite his sidekicks beside of boxing, managed to put together an impressive record of 10-0-0, 9 KO. Has been collaborating with Hungarian promoter Felix Racz, is about to loose his under card status with the increasing victories of late.
Isam Kahlil, Welterweight: Kahlil who is close friend with hot Danish prospect Ahmed Kaddour whom he is stable mate with (Modern Sports & Events) is a slick spoiler type boxer with reasonable punch and good boxing skills. Has an impressive record of 10-0-1, 7KO.
Thomas Jansson, Lightweight: Stylish Jansson who started out as a professional when he missed out on qualify for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta has the skills that is necessary To reach the very best but lacks that really big punch, Now sports the record of 20-2-0, 5KO and has in his possession the lightly regarded European union title at lightweight.
Johan Thorbjörnson, Heavyweight: The Gothenburg-heavyweight has decent skills but hasn't developed as his stable Modern Sports & Events would have wanted when they agreed to promote his fights together with London based stable Panix Promotions. The former Swedish heavyweight champion was offered one of the best professional contracts a Swedish fighter been handed in the year 2000, but The London stable came on collision course with the Swedes TV-company and their partnership ended pretty quickly. He now has a fight-by fight deal with Modern Sports & Events. The latest KO loss to the hands of American journeyman, Garing Lane did him no good though. His record: 11-1-0, 6KO.
Samuel Kebede, Featherweight: Kebede trains in Stockholm and is tied to Modern Sports & Events. He hits hard and sports an quite unusual boxing style that his opponents has big troubles to deal with. Perhaps one of Sweden's biggest hopes in the lighter divisions. Has yet to be beaten and took his 18th straight pro victory in mid November. He can credit himself with 10 knockouts.
Giovanni Alvarez, Light Heavyweight: Like his older brother Fredrik (Who now is retired) he belongs to the Palle-stable in Denmark. Giovanni is probably more skilled than his older brother but has yet to be tested by a quality opponent. His boxing so far though doesn't need any improvement, hasn't lost in 11 outings with 7 impressive KO-wins. My pick as the hottest Swedish prospect!
Aldo Colliander, Heavyweight: Stable mate with Giovanni Alvarez with the Palles, has racked up three straight wins over decent yanks and might turn out to be something in the years to come. Was a good quality amateur with 2 Swedish national titles before turning pro. Good prospect!
Frankie De Milo, Junior Featherweight: A former good quality amateur at Swedish national level, who now fights with The British Isles as base. Have made a few appearances in Denmark but doesn't do much of the fact that he is haling from Sweden these days. Has a record of 14-3-0, 5KO and have captured regional honours in Britain.
Robert Nordman, Super Middleweight: Former junior amateur star Robert Nordman, A no-hoper in the pro-business, should probably have stayed amateur. Lost his debut-fight on KO at the hands of Dane Mark Graversen, but has managed, practically on his own, to launch a career as a pro. Has one win following that horrible start. The win came in a four round bout in the US.
Mikael Nilsson, Junior Welterweight: Mikael "Blinky" Nilsson, close friend with colleague Milan Mircovic is a bit old but still fighting at the age of 36. Has been fighting together with Mircovic, on cards in Hungary in his latest outings. Lost to Slovakian Tibor Rafael in April. Not much of a future!
Vatche Wartanian, Junior Welterweight: The former Swedish National team member who probably is the most anonymous pro out of Sweden for the moment, is based in Nevada and has a poor record of 5-2-1, lost his latest fight in November and is one in a million "over there". Slim, if any, chances to prevail in a rock-hard weight category.
