Waeroey has helped shaped Andreas Evensen's boxing career

By Jim Black

Helge Waeroey has shaped Andreas Evensen's career, turning the Colombian-born boxer into a world title contender with visions of ending Ricky Burns's reign as WBO super-featherweight champion when the pair meet at Braehead Arena on 4 December.

But Waeroey, boss of Team Stonehand, does not fit the standard identikit picture of a boxing manager/trainer/promoter.

At first sight, Evensen's mentor looks more suited to a career in the music business, given his rotund shape, Acker Bilk-like goatee beard, and casual style of dress.

So it was no surprise when Waeroey revealed that he once earned his living playing keyboard and guitar in his native Norway.

But he was quick to add that he was not gifted enough to carve out a career as a top stage performer, settling instead for making enough money to get by as an entertainer at weddings and private parties.

At that point in his life, Waeroey had no connection to boxing whatsoever.

Indeed, he came to the sport purely by chance after heeding a warning from his doctor to change his lifestyle, or face the grim prospect of shortening his lifespan.

"I was in such poor condition physically, fat and unfit, that I was told I would probably die young if I didn't do something about it," said Waeroey.

"It was a pretty stark choice, but I decided to act on the warning and ended up in a local boxing gym in an effort to get fit.

Evensen takes on world champion Ricky Burns next month

"That was when I met up with Sven Erik Paulsen, the former European super-featherweight champion in the 1970s, and we became friends.

"Sven began teaching me the noble art, and after two years I was in good shape, but I was too old by then to have a fight.

"I did, however, develop a keen interest in the sport, and, with Sven's help, I set up an amateur boxing club with the objective of training youngsters."

Fast-forward to 2010 and the Appolo Boxing Club has a healthy clientele, including seven or eight professionals.

There are no prizes for identifying the best of them. But, like his manager, 24-year-old Evensen came to boxing largely by chance after growing tired of being bullied by his elder brother, Bjorn, and seeking Waeroey's assistance in helping him deal with the problem.

"We have up to 60 youngsters in the gym every night, six days a week, and Andreas helps me train the kids," said Waeroey.

"They all look up to him and aspire to be like him.

"Andreas is popular with everyone because of his charismatic personality and the fact that he is very humble outside the ring and an ideal role model.

"He limits himself to a glass of wine on Christmas Eve, has never smoked, follows a strict diet, and is not the sort to go partying."

Not surprisingly, Evensen, beaten only once in 14 bouts, has built up a sizeable following in Scandinavia where he has lived since being adopted by a Norwegian couple at the age of four months.

But for all that, he is currently one of Norway's most successful sportsmen, but is not instantly recognisable to the population at large.

Andreas has had the majority of his bouts in Finland and Denmark, but he has also boxed in Belgium, Germany, Spain and England, so coming to Scotland holds no fears for him Helge Waeroey

This is due to the fact that professional boxing has been banned in Norway since 1982 under a Government edict which Waeroey fears will not be lifted in the foreseeable future.

He admitted: "It's a problem and a huge challenge. There is a suggestion that the Norwegian Parliament will reconsider their present stance, but I think the ban will stay in place.

"The trouble is few in the Government know much about boxing and the press is the same.

"Ask one of our sportswriters about football or cross-country skiing and they will give you chapter and verse, but they just shake their heads if you mention boxing.

"I am working at building up Andreas' reputation and media profile, but as a consequence of the ban, all of Andreas fights have taken place outside Norway.

"He has had the majority of his bouts in Finland and Denmark, but he has also boxed in Belgium, Germany, Spain and England, so coming to Scotland holds no fears for him.

"Scottish boxing fans are very knowledgeable and I believe they will stand and applaud Andreas after he becomes the new champion."

But even if Evensen succeeds in writing a fresh chapter in Norway's sparse boxing history it is unlikely to make him a rich man.

Waeroey explained: "Most people in Norway think we are crazy so attracting sponsorship is difficult and it has been tough economically. But we are not doing this for the money.

"I told Andreas that boxing is unlikely ever to make him wealthy.

"But it can make him rich in terms of life experiences, and when he looks back on his career, he will also be rich in memories.

"He understands that and loves what he does.

"If you don't enjoy something you should stop doing it, but we are motivated by the challenges we face.

"Fighting for a world title is the ultimate challenge. Andreas is the underdog, but that is a good feeling sometimes."

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