19.05.06 – By Per Ake Persson: Italian cruiser Pietro Aurino is off tomorrow´s show at Abano Terme and has been replaced by Giacobbe Fragomeni, who takes on Frenchman Christopher Robert. For decades it was believed that the films of Swedish boxing star Bosse Hogberg were either lost or hidden away. However two films have now been found and have been restored and yesterday evening in Stockholm at a members only meeting Yolande Leveque vs Bosse Hoegberg from Febryary 11, 1966, was shown for the first time ever..
It´s one of the classic fights in Scandinavian boxing history. Hogberg had won the EBU lightmiddleweight title just a few weeks earlier with a stoppage win over Bruno Visintin in Copenhagen and fought his mandatory challenger Yolande Leveque just five weeks later – and word was that he had had surgery to remove a wisdom tooth the day before the fight. As it was Hogberg floored Leveque in the first round but was hurt later in the round and broke his jaw. He showed a tremendous heart fighting fifteen rounds but was floored heavily in the third and also took a standing eight count. Hogberg fought on though, suffered two more knockdowns, another standing eight count and also had a point deducted – but even won a few rounds. Leveque knew his opponent was hurt though – even on this old b/w film it´s possible to see that there is something wrong with Hogberg´s face and he is unable to close his mouth – and scored with sharp counters and was a clear winner on points after 15 rounds. Coming up is the film of Hogberg´s other life and death struggle; against Italian great Sandro Mazzingi later in 1966. Hoegberg passed away last year but the stories of his life in and out of the ropes remains alive.
Christof Hawerkamp have taken over as Universum´s head of the PR and press department. Hawerkamp have an extensive background in TV and have also worked as PR man for FC St Pauli, the soccerclub.