Valdemar Holberg

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameValdemar Birger•Holberg
Used nameValdemar•Holberg
Born29 May 1883 in København (Copenhagen), Hovedstaden (DEN)
Died18 May 1927 in Wien (Vienna), Wien (AUT)
Measurements165 cm / 63 kg
AffiliationsAIK 95, København (DEN)
NOC Denmark

Biography

Five times an amateur champion of Denmark, Holberg lost to future world professional champion Matt Wells in his only Olympic bout. He made his professional debut in December 1908 and ran up an impressive number of victories, winning all but one of his first thirty-one fights. After suffering three consecutive defeats by disqualification he set sail for Australia but initially met with little success. Despite losing six of his first eight Australian fights he was offered a title fight with Ray Bronson who was regarded as the world welterweight champion in the USA and Australia. Holberg surprisingly outpointed Bronson over twenty rounds in Melbourne on New Year’s Day 1914 but held the title for less than a month. The Dane, noted as a rough perhaps even dirty fighter, was disqualified for the sixth time in his career and lost his title to Ireland’s Tom McCormick.

Returning to Europe in late 1914 he suffered a string of defeats in the UK and Denmark before faring better whilst based in Norway. He retired in 1921 having claimed 44 wins from 73 professional fights and died six years later at the age of just 43.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1908 Summer Olympics Boxing DEN Valdemar Holberg
Lightweight, Men (Olympic) =7

Special Notes