Kem Ljungquist knows that boxing is not at its peak of popularity in Denmark at the moment, but he believes it can bounce back. After all, it wasn't that long ago that Copenhagen's boxing events were filling soccer stadiums with fans, and now boxing shows struggle to fill club venues or attract television networks. That's what I'm doing.
Ljungquist became a major sport in the public consciousness in 2001 when local stalwart Brian Nielsen headlined with Mike Tyson at Parken, the home of the Danish national soccer team, and champions Mikel Kessler and Jonny Bredahl. He is reminiscing about his time as a player.
Denmark is better known for pastries and bicycles as a means of transportation than for boxing. If anyone can get back to those days, a 6-foot-6, 240-pound heavyweight probably has the best chance.
“The same people who built this sport in Denmark destroyed it with stupid matchups. I think they got too complacent,” said Ljungquist, 33 (18-0, 11 KOs). ) said.
“They made as much money as possible on pay-per-view and now we are back to ground zero. We’re trying to get it up and running again.”
Ljungquist took the next step towards that on Friday night, defeating Tanzania's Awad Tamim in the seventh round of an eight-round heavyweight bout in front of a crowd of several hundred in his hometown of New Kevin Falster. 16 wins, 10 losses, and 11 KOs. In addition to headlining the event, Ljungquist also served as promoter. It will be his sixth show he has promoted or co-promoted. After leaving his contract with German promoter Team Sauerland, which he had signed with before his professional debut in 2017, Ljungquist decided there was no one better suited to the job that would shape his career. He says it means investing his own money into his career, but depending on ticket sales and sponsor support, he can usually avoid losses on the show.
“It's a big investment, but I'm happy to do it because I'd rather be alone than be with someone who has no feelings for me and my career. It's a huge amount of money for the promoters and I'm happy to do it.” If things don't go well from the start, it's very easy for promoters to dump fighters and force them to fight tough matches overseas. I realized that early in my career and have had to do it myself ever since. I knew that if anyone wanted me to succeed, it was me,” Ljungquist said.
More than just a big man with a punch, Ljungquist has been one of Scandinavia's top heavyweight amateurs over the past decade, winning three Danish national titles, two Nordic Championships, and also representing Denmark at the World and European Championships. Participated as.
Ljungquist was a latecomer to the sport, starting at the age of 21 after a friend invited him to a boxing gym. He grew up playing soccer, Denmark's most popular sport, but found himself unsure of the direction of his life after high school.
FC Köbenhavn supporter Ljungquist said with a laugh: “If I had an easier option than getting hit in the head, I probably would have focused more on football.”
“I was just having a good time and trying to sort out my feelings in the adult world. I was a young adult and trying to figure out what life was about, so boxing came along at the right time for me. Boxing made me who I am. Before I started boxing, I didn't even know what I was capable of. Today I proved that I can do anything.”
Ljungquist was quickly selected for the Danish national team and competed in tournaments across Europe, including Sweden, Germany, Poland, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iceland and Ukraine.
Although he currently doesn't have any recognizable names on his resume, Ljungquist has shared the ring as a sparring partner with some of the top names in the heavyweight division, namely Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Being one of the few left-handed heavyweights, he is a popular boxer to spar with, something he is proud of.
“From the beginning, I felt like it was an experience I couldn't turn down. Even if I wasn't going to fight them at some point, it's something I'll always remember in my career. I sparred with some of the guys and they wanted my help.I have a lot of experience and I want to do my best. It gave me peace of mind that I could compete at my level,” Ljungquist said.
When asked who would win Saturday's Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk fight, Fury leaned toward Usyk, saying Fury understands the style of Otto Wallin, another left-hander with whom Ljungquist sparred with Fury. He pointed out that it is difficult to
“I think Usyk is going to do a very nice job and probably surpass him. If you look at the fight with Otto Wallin… Usyk is a few levels above Otto Wallin. But that's boxing and Fury will be able to surprise everyone. Check out his last performance as well. [Francis] Ngannou, he's in a tough situation for himself,'' said Ljungquist, who trains with Paul Duville in Copenhagen.
The heavyweight division is in the midst of its most lucrative period in boxing history, given the influx of money into the sport from the Saudi government. Thanks to the state of his body maintenance, Ljungquist does not feel rushed as he ages and is waiting for a suitable offer to arrive before making a move towards the top of the division. he said.
“I've had a few offers so far, but the timing wasn't right and it's the wrong place. I'd like to have as much as possible, but there's also something going on at home and I'm Being active, I don't have to fight all the time because I'm desperate. As long as I'm winning, the big games will continue,” Ljungquist said.
In the meantime, he is content to rebuild the sport's popularity in his home country, starting with his own career and contractual prospects.
“We're not back to the Mikkel Kessler era yet, but hopefully we can get back there again and get some money paid for TV to show the games,” Ljungquist said.
Ryan Songalia has written for ESPN, the New York Daily News, Rappler, and the Guardian, and is a 2020 graduate of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. Contact details are as follows: [email protected].
