– He was the best Norwegian male boxer of all time, says news’s commentator Jan Petter Saltvedt. Steffen Tangstad was a Norwegian professional boxer with 24 wins, 2 losses, 2 draws and 14 knockouts during his career. He quit in 1986. Now he has passed away. Tangstad is survived by his sons Truls and Otto. – Our Dad, Steffen, fell asleep quietly on Wednesday evening with Truls and me by the bed after a long illness. It is painful and sad. But he fell asleep peacefully and without pain. He experienced a lot during his life and was the proud grandfather of two grandchildren. We will all miss him incredibly much and we have countless good memories from our life with him. We value privacy and our grieving process. This is what his son Otto writes to news. EUROPEAN CHAMPION: Steffen Tangstad regained the title of European champion after a fight against the British John Westgarth, on 18 April 1986. He also became European champion in 1984, after winning over Lucien Rodriguez. Photo: NTB – He was a role model for me. A great inspiration in terms of boxing, says former professional boxer Thomas Hansvoll. Hansvoll had Tangstad as manager for ten years. – He has been very important to my career. He was the one who introduced me to professional boxing. Steffen has been a support and help for me. In a way, he was such a kind teddy bear, says Hansvoll. COACH: Tangstad had a passion for the sport and helped many Norwegian professional boxers along the way. Photo: NTB Former professional boxer Ole “Lukkøye” Klemetsen describes Tangstad as one of the absolute best in the sport, and a good ambassador for boxing in Norway. – Of course, he will be a role model. We often talked about Steffen, and all the good things he achieved, he adds. Klemetsen was 16 when he saw Tangstad’s World Cup match. He remembers that match well. – Just getting a WC match for a Norwegian was big at the time, says Klemetsen. Had a nerve disease In October 2018, it became known that he had the nerve disease polyneuropathy. In 2019, he had to amputate his left leg from the knee down. The president of the Norwegian Boxing Association, Odd Haktor Slåke, received the news from news: – It was very sad to hear. He was a very skilled athlete and could do any sport and do well. – He was one of the great Norwegian boxers of all time. He was technically good and not least smart when he boxed, he says further. DEATH: Former professional boxer Steffen Tangstad. Photo: NTB – He paved the way for Cecilie Brækhus and basically all Norwegian professional boxers since. Professional boxer Kevin Melhus is also in no doubt about Tangstad’s importance to Norwegian boxing: – He was a professional boxer, while professional boxing was illegal in Norway. Nevertheless, he asserted himself at the top of the world. He put Norway on the international map. – He has been irreplaceable for Norwegian professional boxing. We stand on the shoulders of companies such as Tangstad. Now it is our responsibility to carry the torch forward, and that is the best way we can honor him, continues Melhus. news previously made this program about Tangstad: For 33 years, professional boxing has been banned in Norway. Meanwhile, several of our boxers become stars – without ever boxing in their home country. When the ban is finally lifted, it is to finally give the world’s best female boxers the chance to compete in front of their own. On 1 October 2016, Cecilia Brækhus enters the ring in Oslo Spektrum. Boxed title fight in the USA The former professional boxer from Tønsberg became European champion in heavyweight boxing twice. Tangstad won three NM heavyweight titles from 1978 to 1980, and was awarded the King’s Cup in 1979. He made his pro debut at Chateau Neuf in 1980 against Benji Smith. After his boxing career, he gave several lectures, but he also managed a short trip to the dance floor in Skal vi danse. LIGHT ON TOES: Tangstad took part in “Shall we dance” on TV 2 in 2006. Here with dance partner Beate Thompson Photo: NTB He is also the only Norwegian to have boxed in a title fight in heavyweight boxing. It happened on September 6, 1986, when he met Michael Spinks for a fight for the IBF title in Las Vegas. There, Tangstad was beaten by technical knockout in the fourth round. It was his last pro fight. – It is one of the biggest things that can be done in the world of sports, says Saltvedt. – He lost that match quite clearly. But it is, in a way, the biggest arena in the sports world, says news’s boxing expert Anders Werner Øfsti. Published 27.06.2024, at 10.20 Updated 27.06.2024, at 13.27
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Former professional boxer Steffen Tangstad has died – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
