The national team boxer Mindogas Gediminas (25), like many of his international opponents, will become a professional and combine it with amateur matches until the next Olympics – but he will not get any from the Norwegian Boxing Federation.
He must be a professional or a National Assembly boxer. We believe he will be given the best service by having him on our platform, and that it would be a mistake to spend resources on him as a professional boxer, confirms boxing boss Odd Haktor Slåke.
General Secretary Erik Nielsen says that the management of the federation recently prepared a plan for the development of Norwegian boxing and elite commitment where this is an important component: if you go as a professional boxer, you will be practically rejected to represent Norway in international amateurs. Championships – Qualifying Tournaments for the Olympics (Two tournaments: 2023/2024).
Slåke says the plan – after a bit of “explanation” – will be adopted at the next board meeting in mid-January. He and Eric Nielsen also confirmed that the association had received an official desire to become a professional from the Gedminas.
– I received an application to become a professional World Cup (in October). It came from a promoter in Boston, USA. My plan was to become one, at the same time my goal was the Olympics in 2024. But I didn’t get that from the boxing federation, says Gidminas, a middleweight (75kg).
Watch Gedmina World Cup match against Ukrainian Papakin (for VG + Sport subscribers):
Gedminas says that the boxing federation is not mathematically justified. General Secretary Nielsen also Known as an expert commentator, believed that professional betting would hinder Gedminas’ development as an amateur, having a “full nail” from the start in three set three-minute rounds – versus many other rounds in professional boxing, often involving “touch and feel” at the start.
Better Marketing
Gedminas partially agrees. He compares amateur boxing to the 100-meter race in athletics, and professional boxing to the 1500-meter race. However, he believes that four to five professional fights per year – four to six rounds – would make him a better boxer in 15-20 annual amateur fights.
– He could have developed my technique in a better way, with stronger hits and more experience. It could have also given me better marketing and visibility. Gedminas says it’s more exciting for people.
Read also
Norway World Cup drama: Waiting for another protest answer
The Boxing Head acknowledges that the federation cares about finances when it comes to the decision of the professional number. Gedminas and other international Norwegian boxers have met and will meet foreign amateurs who are also professionals. Slåke doesn’t think the discrepancy is huge — and claims it’s rare.
Sending one of our boxers to the World Cup can cost up to 100,000 crowns. We want him to be a Norwegian boxer under the Norwegian Boxing Association system, says Slåke.
Hadi Sorour was allowed two and a half years ago Combine professional betting and amateur boxing With the aim of qualifying for the 2020 Olympics, this dream did not come true after he passed a positive doping test and remained Banned for four years.
“I would not advise young men to become professional boxers, unless it is a great talent,” says President Slacky.
“Infuriatingly humble internet trailblazer. Twitter buff. Beer nerd. Bacon scholar. Coffee practitioner.”
