Interview With Norwegian Boxing Analyst Ronald Larsen
By Teddy Stenmark
11.05 - Norwegian boxing figure Ronald Larsen seems to have been involved in Scandinavian boxing for ages despite the relatively young age of 56. He is, to many people, Mr boxing in Norway and arespected journalist and dedicated leader and trainer within the Norwegian boxing community. Although I haven't met the man on more than a few occasions the last six, seven years, I have always found him a very likeable guy to talk to and be around. He is a true lover of his sport and definitely an interesting guy! The story down below can testify to that!
Teddy: How old are you? What type of boxing-background do you have and when did you first come in contact with the sport?
Ronald: I am 56 years young, born 03.05.47, and my first ever contact with boxing and my club IF Tønsberg-Kameratene, was in 54, but it was not until 57 it became on regular basis.
Teddy: I know that you were a good Norwegian amateur boxer! What type of merits did you have? And how many fights exactly, did you have?
Ronald: From I was crowned club-champ at 39kgs at the age of 12 until my last bout in 1970, I had approx 120 bouts. Nat. junior champ 63&64, senior champ 65, 66, &67, all at bantam. I did struggle against the best internationally and really did not have any great achievements!
Teddy: You were a commentator for Canal plus when they still had boxing on their program and you still do commentary work for TV1000 every now and then! When did you have your first TV-gig?
Ronald: I have been commentating boxing on TV since the mid-80s; TVNorge, NRK, TV2, TV1000. One of the highlights was Tyson v Douglas from Tokyo in 1990, assisting the great Tommy Engstrand...tremendous!! From 94 I had four spectacular years together with the professor of boxing, Olof Johansson. Imagine travelling the world watching the best of fistic science.... and getting paid...handsomely....this dream lasted 4 years but in came the French (Canal+), now it was all football,......From March-00 I have been commentating for Eurosport Norway, alternating with former good pro and Norwegian/Scandinavian champ, Roar Petajamaa.
Teddy: Is it correct that you have been National team trainer for Norway? If so, what years did you hold that position?
Ronald: From the day I was back in Tønsberg (100km south of Oslo) after my military service my club was the centre of my mind! We are talking 1970!I just wanted to give something in return to my club and became trainer& whatever in the club......and in -77 through -82 also the national coach of Norway. Later I was a member/vice president and president of the Norwegian association. and responsible for signing the following national team coaches; Jean Scmucker (DEN), Lennart Bernstrøm (SWE) and Andrej Gmitruk (POL) a trio who gave a lot to Norwegian amateur boxing.
As a member of EABA youth-comity, we established the European Cadet championships. In 1977! Our club celebrated its 60-years anniversary, and we started Norway Box Cup, first with 4 countries only! Due to financial problems our last tournament in Tønsberg was in -94 with 14 nations competing.....the tournament is now annually in Oslo.
Teddy: What do you think of the current status of Scandinavian Boxing? Are there any fighters whom you believe have potential to go a long way today?
Ronald: We have many interesting professionals, and looking at the amateur scene a few names stands out: Naim Terbunja (SWE) - Andreas Barkhall (NOR) - Majid Jelili (SWE) - Andreas Gustafsson (SWE) - Joni Turunen (FIN) and Shabas Aslam (DEN), its a lot of talent out there.
Teddy: What do you work with when you are not doing commentary work on the screen?
Ronald: I am educated Surveyor-engineer and worked for 20 years at the town-council in Tønsberg...and many told me I was crazy to quit this safe job for full time commentating in -94....but I really don't regret it at all! I also work part time at an institution for"wild"kids from 12-18 years....interesting, but also very demanding.
Teddy: You have, If I remember correctly, been a dedicated servant to the same club as former European champion and current head of Modern Sports & Events, Steffen Tangstad, have the two of you always been working close together?
Ronald: Multitalented Steffen Tangstad first came to our club at the age of 14. He was good at swimming, athletics and football.....luckily he choose boxing and became youth - junior and triple senior-champ for our club before turning pro. He also won the Kings Trophy for the championship's best boxer in -79. When he became pro we just trained together every now and then! During my time at FilmNet, Supersport (Canal Plus) we were competitors, but from -98 he gave me some work, and on the 14th of May it is two years since he signed me on as a member for the great team of Modern Sports & Events LTD. Bye the way, Steffen's youngest son Otto, became Norwegian youth champion at 66kgs in February. The 14 year old also plays handball and is active in various water-sports.
Teddy: Give me your pick as the greatest boxing- experience you had over the years! The thing you appreciated the most during your time in boxing.
Ronald: It has been so many ups and downs....but it is one incident that sticks. Not because I boxed well that night, but I really turned my self "inside/out". This tall south-paw Danish kid nailed me three times in the opening round to the body....I was crawling all over the place in the little town of Fjerritslev, Jutland. In my corner was legendary trainer Thorkild Jensen of Aalborg. When I crawled back to my corner at the end of the first round, he really gave me some working over.... and in the end I won a split decision....I was happy, but could not hold food nor drink until 48 hours later due to cramps!
Teddy: What do you believe is the mark of a great (complete) boxer?
Ronald: It is really a difficult question....nobody is perfect....but I can give you three names of present Scandinavian boxers....please feel free to mix them at your convenience; Paolo Roberto (for courage and will) - Anders Styve (for teqnique and tactics) - Mikkel Kessler (for getting the job done! 23 KO in 31 fights)
Teddy: How where you as a boxer your self? What type of fighter where you? How would others have described your fighting style!
Ronald: I did learn boxing the old way....left jab/high guard/movement....tag your guy without getting hit...you know. I did really know my ABC.... and still do.
Teddy: Did you come across any really good boxers during your career? Which "Scalp" is the finest one that you have?
Ronald: I really lost to the best ones, including Olympian Kjell Fredriksson in the Scandinavian Championships in Copenhagen-65by a split decision. But I also had some"great"scraps representing Aalborg against Hamburg and Moscow, alas losing on both occasions. My greatest scalp is Svein Erik Paulsen (the European s-feather champ in the pros.)...I think. My nemesis in Norway was two time Olympian and very good friend, Nils Dag Strømme. We met 9 times.....and he won them all....just once I claimed victory, and he agreed..... but 1-2! That's history now!!!
Teddy: What victory as a trainer/leader are you most proud of?
Ronald: Beating Sweden in both junior and senior makes you feel good....and also Denmark.... against Finland we only succeeded in the juniors. One international stands out, however, Stavanger in 1980....our club had 4 boxers on the team against Wales: Lightweight: Robert Karlsson won,
Welterweight: Terje Sveen won, Middleweight: Trond Thomassen won, Heavyweight: Steffen Tangstad won the deciding bout against Rudi Pika......what more can you ask for?
Teddy: Which Norwegian boxer of the last say 10 years do you believe have had the biggest potential (talent) to succeed?
Ronald: Anders Styve is a very talented boxer....but I am afraid his father's antics may ruin it all!!! He will however, beat Reda Zam Zam....easy!...on points.
Teddy: Who are your closest friends in boxing?
Ronald: I only got friends???? It's rather personal. Life.
Teddy: Who is the greatest boxer of all time in your opinion?
Ronald: I am really not sure.......but the one and only Mohammad Ali ....both in and out of the ring!
Teddy: Ole Klemetsen is, probably, the Norwegian fighter who received most publicity of recent years! What is your Picture of the "Golden Viking" What's he like?
Ronald: I have been fortunate enough to have travelled the world with Ole as an amateur - 1991 being the top year; European bronze in Gothenburg - world cup bronze in Bombay and World championship bronze in Sydney. Ole is an emphatic person, caring and funny and a great sportsman...he is a household name in Norway, and also a good singer and entertainer.
Teddy: Same thing about Thomas Hansvoll?
Ronald: Thomas Hansvoll really has the world at his fists.... ranked as WBO no. 5 anything can happen....and he has the skills and guts to fulfil his dreams.
Teddy: What's your opinion of the quite recent highly publicised professional debut of Norwegian Javelin thrower Pål Arne Fagerness?
Ronald: When you are an explosive heavyweight with a reputation (from the real life) you should go for it....remember, he can really hit!
Teddy: Finally Ronald are you an addicted surfer on the "Net" like myself? In that case what boxing pages (sites) are your favourites?
Ronald: I always start the morning with boxrec...and then Danish-boxing! I need to be updated! By professionals!
Teddy: That was flattering to hear, I am sure Dan Jensen and Jens Kepf (head of Danish-boxing) are glad to get that sort of recognition by a true professional like you! Thanks very much for granting me this interview. Really interesting! Keep up the splendid commentary work!
