Icelandic Boxer Seeks to End Professional Boxing Ban by Winning World Title

Iceland has banned professional boxing for nearly 70 years, but heavyweight fighter Kolbeinn Kristinsson aims to change that by becoming the country’s first world champion. The 36-year-old undefeated boxer (17-0, 11 KOs) faces significant challenges in pursuing his career, as he must travel abroad for all his fights.

Professional boxing was outlawed in Iceland in 1956 due to health concerns. While amateur boxing was legalized in 2002, the professional sport remains prohibited. This forces Kristinsson to compete internationally, incurring substantial travel costs and making it difficult to attract promoters.

Despite these obstacles, Kristinsson has found support from his local community. He has also gained valuable experience sparring with former world champions like Tyson Fury and Joseph Parker. These sessions have bolstered his confidence in his ability to compete at the highest level.

Kristinsson’s ambitious goal is to fight for a world title within the next two years. He hopes that becoming world champion will pressure the Icelandic parliament to reconsider the ban on professional boxing. However, he acknowledges that convincing politicians to fully legalize the sport may still be challenging.

As Kristinsson prepares for his toughest test yet against another undefeated heavyweight this spring, he remains focused on his ultimate objective of bringing professional boxing back to Iceland and inspiring a new generation of fighters in his home country.