Exclusive Boxing Interview: Henrik Risum

Dedication the key for Risum

Promoter Henrik Risum has revealed the defining factor when scouting for boxers for his stable, dedication.

“If you don’t have the dedication, the will to learn, the desire to train, and some times do so for small money in the beginning, then you are not going to go anywhere in professional boxing,” he said.

Risum freed up time in his busy schedule to answer questions regarding his company, their upcoming shows and who we should look out for from Risum Boxing is the near future, exclusively for SaddoBoxing.

On May 5, one of Risum’s boxers was involved in a farcical incident where Kenyan super middleweight champion Mohammed Orungi pulled out of his scheduled fight the next day against Samson Onyango. This is a decision which angered Risum as it doesn’t just mess with his own schedule, but also that of his boxers.

“It’s very disappointing as a promoter, but mostly for the boxers,” said Risum of the incident. ” I feel so sorry for the boxers who trained but time and time again didn’t get to fight because some local promoters don’t know their left hand from their right hand. It’s very disappointing, but also very motivating for me. I want my guys to succeed.”

“All I can say is that Orungi does not want to fight Samson, whether it is because he is scared, or because someone is telling him not to. A lot of strange things are happening in the Kenyan boxing community, and for a long time certain people have done their best to screw things up for my boxers there.

“They just don’t know me if they think I will be pushed out like that. The Kenyan Professional Boxing Commission has a tough task on their hands, with how people operate and all, but I am sure they are doing their best,” Risum revealed.

Despite such setbacks, Henrik firmly believes boxers from his stable will challenge for “world” titles sooner rather than later. He has saved special praise for Danish youngster Kim “Golden Boy” Poulsen, who recently defeated Czech Josef Holub in Germany.

“My super featherweight Kim Poulsen deserves all the credit in the world,” said Risum. “He is a very serious and dedicated boxer, and it broke my heart when he was robbed of victory against Tony Jourda in London last month. He didn’t deserve that, even though he fought a bad fight.

“Kim is just 20 years old, Denmark’s youngest professional, and he has to be some kind of blueprint of how a boxer should be when it comes to training and dedication. He is doing a fantastic job, and with the talent I know he has, he should be able to go a long way. Still, there is a lot to learn, and a lot of things to improve, but that’s only natural for a kid with only 5 fights.”

Poulsen is not the only up and coming fighter who is getting rave reviews, Kenyan James Kemori, 4-0 (3), has certainly raised a few eyebrows with his blistering start to his professional career, although Risum has urged that Kemori still has lots to learn, but he believes that he is more than capable of achieving big things.

“James was a good amateur, but, like Kim, he still has many things to learn. I think that in a year or so he can win the Kenyan national title, and then we see where we go from there,” he stated.

Harking back to what Risum expects from his boxers, he certainly wants boxers who know the meaning of professionalism as it will help everyone involved.

“Personality is also a very important thing for me,” he said. “I need to have a good relationship with my fighters. I earn very little money on the management department of my company, so it’s essential for me that I don’t have to put up with too much crap at the same time as I am working basically for free, if you know what I mean.”

Some of Risum’s fighters are back in action soon, but he has revealed his Danish fighters are taking a break over the summer to recharge the batteries and return to action in the autumn.

“I have my three Kenyans fighting May 26 on a show promoted by my friend, middleweight contender Evans Ashira, in Nairobi. My Danish boxers will probably have a break over the summer and then return after the holiday,” he concluded.