Kolbeinn Kristinsson has his opponent set for his Nov. 29 date in Finland, as he will face Venezuelan Pedro Martinez in the eight-round heavyweight bout at Kamppailuklubi in Oulun.
Kristinsson, 18-0 (12 KOs), will be competing for the ninth time in his professional career in Finland, as his manager, Markus Lammi is based there and helped arrange the stay-busy fight. The 37-year-old Kristinsson, one of just three active boxers in Iceland, where professional boxing remains banned, is fighting for the first time since his his biggest win yet, a seventh round stoppage of previously unbeaten Mike Lehnis in Germany in May.
The 41-year-old Martinez, 13-4 (7 KOs), of Ciudad Bolivar has fallen short whenever he has ventured out of his homeland to face undefeated opponents.
"I haven’t seen anything,” said Kristinsson of what he knows about his opponent. “I’ve just been saying yes to opponents when presented. I expect him to try and win, durable guy. Let’s hope it will be a fun match up.”
The promotional free agent is hoping that another win abroad will lead to a bigger opportunity.
“My name is already out there and I suspect people are keeping an eye on this fight, so an impressive performance would set up a big fight next spring,” said Kristinsson, who is training at his home base in Iceland alongside trainers Dadi Asthorsson and Arnor Grimsson. “I’d love to fight in England, next to be honest.”
As to whom he’d like to face next, Kristinsson said he didn’t want to name names, but would be glad to face anyone who is a top-50 boxer.
“There are a lot of heavyweights out there, and I believe I can beat them all,” said Kristinsson. “It’s their job to prove me wrong.”
