Lihaug and Ernestsen set for all-Norwegian showdown on June 20 in Copenhagen

Photo Credit: Photo Wende

In a massive night for Norwegian boxing, the country’s star super middleweight Tim-Robin Lihaug (12-1, 7 KOs) will take on the undefeated Arne Ernestsen (7-0, 3 KOs) in a hotly anticipated domestic dust up on June 20 at the Ballerup Super Arena in Copenhagen, Denmark.

With speculation building in the press, the verbal sparring between both camps has already begun. Now confirmed, the war of words has intensified as Lihaug and Ernestsen prepare for their super middleweight showdown.

‘’I’m extremely confident,’’ said Lihaug. ‘’I know exactly what Arne will be bringing to the table and I know exactly what I must do to beat him. I’ve already stopped him as an amateur and now I’m going to beat him as a professional. Arne and his team have already said a lot in the press but I honestly don’t know where they get their confidence from.

‘’It will be a good test for me but I only see one outcome. I’ve been in this kind of situation before. I’ve had tough fights, I’ve fought undefeated fighters and I’ve gone ten rounds. I have all the advantages. On June 20, I will be bringing my best and that will be more than enough to beat Arne.’’

‘’I’m coming to win and I will do whatever it takes to achieve this,’’ said Ernestsen. ‘’I know Tim well from when we used to train together and I know I can beat him. He is going to be in for the toughest fight of his career. It’s an exciting time for Norwegian boxing and I’m pleased to be a part of it. This fight will be another step forward in my boxing career and a chance for me to prove I’m the best in Norway!’’

With only three weeks to go until fight night, Lihaug is currently being put through his paces by coach Ulf Johansen, who having taken control of the Bergen-boxer’s corner in September 2014 has guided him to five consecutive victories, including a memorable win against fellow Norwegian Simen Smaadal. With another domestic showdown on the horizon, Johansen is confident of continuing their unbeaten run.

‘’This is a fight we are looking forward to,’’ said the renowned Norwegian coach. ‘’They have backed themselves into a corner with the comments they have made in the press and now I’m sure they’re regretting it! Arne has never fought at this level before. There is no way Tim can lose. He is the better boxer and the bigger puncher. I don’t see this fight going the distance. Tim has already stopped him once as an amateur and I expect him to stop Arne again.’’

Another man not lost for words is Ernestsen’s manager and trainer Helge Wærøy, who last month laid down the challenge for Lihaug to face his unbeaten protégé. ‘’This is the most interesting fight between two Norwegian fighters in years,’’ said Wærøy. ‘’Lihaug has received a lot of attention in the Norwegian media, while Arne is totally unknown. Lihaug also has the coach with the biggest mouth in Europe, but that is not going to help them in the ring. They do not know what they are facing, and they are probably trembling at the knees at the thought of it, as all humans do when they are facing something unknown and terrifying.’’

Said promoter Nisse Sauerland: ‘’This is going to be a fascinating match up and an excellent showpiece for Norwegian boxing. We have two young, hungry fighters ready to go to war to prove they are their country’s number one. They fought as amateurs and used to train together, so they know each other well. It will be interesting to see how they have both developed since then. Whatever the outcome we’re expecting an entertaining fight and an exciting addition to our Nordic Fight Night event at the Ballerup Super Arena.’’

Lihaug and Ernestsen join a star-studded Scandinavian line up for the Nordic Fight Night on June 20. Danish super middleweight Patrick Nielsen (25-1, 12 KOs) defends his WBA International title against Charles Adamu (23-6, 17 KOs), featherweight talent Dennis Ceylan (14-0-1, 7 KOs) takes on Sergio Prado (10-4-1, 4 KOs) and Swedish light welterweight Anthony Yigit (13-0-1, 5 KOs) faces Tony Owen (16-3, 3 KOs). All the action will be shown live on Viasat Sport in Norway. Tickets are available via billetlugen.dk.