By Per Ake Persson
Professional boxing in Norway - prohibited since 1981 - could be on its way to a comeback. As it stands now, there are two legislations standing in the way - the ban on pro-boxing and the so-called "knockout law" that among other things forces all Norwegian fighters to wear a helmet despite of the new AIBA rules and Norway was recently suspended by the AIBA. However, on Wednesday the Norwegian government took some action to try and get the laws changed although it appears that it will take some time before it can be done.
A change could mean that pro boxing (in full effect, supervised by a body free from the AIBA) is being made legal, and for AIBA style pros and amateurs the helmet will go, fight over longer distances be allowed and the age limit upped to 40.
At the moment the only big star in Norwegian boxing is Cecilia Braekhus, WBC, WBA and WBO female champ at welterweight, but she is currently involved in a contractual dispute with Sauerland Promotion - but with fights at home on the horizon some kind of solution will surely come.
