From the Scandinavian fight Scene

By Teddy Stenmark

05.04 - Norwegian javelin thrower, Pål Arne Fagernes makes his professional boxing debut in Benidorm, Spain tomorrow (April 6th). Fagernes, an odd character that always followed his heart and done things out of the ordinary, takes on Slovakian Peter Simko (1-20-0). The track and field star has, according to Trainer Harald Skog and promoter/manager Steffen Tangstad, prepared well for his first outing as a fighter. If everything goes well in Spain, Fagernes would like to combine his boxing career with the javelin and do both.

Swedish lightweight, Tomas Jansson (20-2-0) defends his EU-title in the main event against Alberto Tito Lopes (16-6-1) of Spain while undefeated Danish heavyweight, Thomas Sörensen (9-0) takes on Romanian Ion Mihai (1-7). Junior welterweight Sören Engelbrecht (8-0) is in with Benjamin Robles (1-5-1) of Bolivia. Norwegian lightweight Geir-Inge Jörgensen (12-0), coming off of a heavy period filled with injuries has been set up with a South American (Ecuador) by the name of Freddy Monar (0-8-0). Fellow Norwegian Reidar Walstad (4-0-1) will be facing Portuguese, Oleg Mustafini (0-2-0). All in all, the opponents served to the skilled Scandinavians are more than poor.

Norwegian light heavyweight Thomas Hansvoll has announced his retirement following a bitter money-dispute with promoter, Steffen Tangstad. The hard-punching southpaw most known for his vicious knockout of countryman Ole Klemetsen (KO 2) in 2001 and his gutsy challenge for the WBA title in France last year ends his career with the record of 24-3-1.

Swedish pro boxing added another name to their list of boxers when 23 year-old former Swedish national champion, Manjie Conteh of Stockholm made his debut in Bronx, New York on the 19th of March. The Swede scored a fourth round TKO over guy called Fahrudin Pejcinovic. Conteh is now, very much like his colleague, Tonton Semakala, training to improve his skills at the famous Gleason's Gym in New York under the guidance of Bob Jackson and Harry Keitt.

Undefeated Swedish welterweight, Milan Mircovic who was supposed to have boxed in Yugoslavia (Loznica) today, April 5th, has been forced to withdraw from the fight due to an aching heel. Milan informed this reporter that he's been ordered 10 days rest by his physician and the bout has now been rescheduled for May 10th.

Danish junior welter, Allan Vester (22-3-1) is set to defend his IBF intercontinental title in Den Haag, Holland on the 16th of May.