Rated at Light-heavyweight Losses 0 Height 1.86 m Total fights 26 Wins by ko 12 | Nationality Swedish Draws 0 Division Light heavyweight Stance Orthodox stance | |
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Born 24 May 1991 (age 25)
Vardinge, Sweden ( 1991-05-24 ) Similar Anthony Yigit, Klara Svensson, Mikaela Laurén, Badou Jack, Robert Stieglitz | ||
Erik Skoglund (born 24 May 1991) is a Swedish professional boxer who fights at light-heavyweight. He currently holds the WBA International light heavyweight title, the IBO International light heavyweight title and the IBF Inter-Continental Light Heavyweight title. As of December 2016, he is ranked #12 in the world at light heavyweight.
He previously held the EBU-EU light heavyweight title, which he defended 3 times, before vacating it to shift focus from the European scene to international opponents and titles.
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Amateur career
Skoglund started his boxing career in 2002, at the age of 11. He won the Swedish national championship (youth level) in 2006 and the junior level championship in 2007, as well as taking the 2nd place at senior level the same year 2007, at the age of 15. The following year, 2008, saw him making the same results as previous year in the national championship, finishing at 2nd place on senior level after losing the final to fellow rising star and future WBC super middleweight champion Badou Jack. He also won the Nordic junior championship that year. In 2009 he won the national and Nordic championships at senior level.
He turned professional in 2010, after an amateur career with a record of 78-35-1.
Professional boxing career
In 2010, right before turning professional, Skoglund signed with Sauerland Promotion.
From May 2010, when he made his professional debut, to February 2013, Skoglund had 15 fights, all held in Germany, Denmark and Finland. He was victorious in all of them, 9 by KO/TKO and 6 by decision.
Skoglund vs. Blackledge, Di Giacomo
In his 16th fight, Skoglund got his first opportunity for a championship, when he faced fellow undefeated, 13-0-1, prospect Luke Blackledge on April 13, 2013 for both the WBC Youth World light heavyweight and the WBO Youth Intercontinental light heavyweight titles. He won the fight, and the youth titles, by unanimous decision after 10 rounds (96-95, 97-93, 96-94).
Next he took on Lorenzo Di Giacomo in an 8-round non-title fight, on June 15, 2013. Skoglund won the fight by unanimous decision (80-72, 80-72, 80-72).
Skoglund vs. Mock, Rodriguez, D’Agata, Abatangelo
On October 19, 2013 Skoglund fought Lolenga Mock for the EBU-EU light heavyweight title. Initially Skoglunds opponent was expected to be Enzo Maccarinelli. However, Maccarinelli was injured not long after the announcement was made, and was replaced by Mock. Despite being caught and wobbled against the ropes in the third round, Skoglund recovered fast and rallied back to win the fight by unanimous decision (118-110, 117,110, 116-112) after 12 rounds.
In his first defense of his European title, Skoglund took on Adasat Rodriguez on February 1, 2014. After a dominant performance with Skoglund well ahead on the scorecards, he won the fight by TKO in round 12.
Skoglunds second title defense came against Danilo D’Agata on April 12, 2014. He won the fight by TKO in round 9.
On September 13, 2014 Skoglund fought Stefano Abatangelo for his third defense of his European title as well as for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental light heavyweight title. He was victorious by unanimous decision (118-109, 120-106, 118-108).
After three successful title defenses, Skoglund vacated his EBU-EU title in October, 2013, to focus on the international boxing scene and international- and world titles.
Skoglund vs. Johnson, Cherviak, Edwards
On December 13, 2014 Skoglund faced veteran Glen Johnson in a non-title fight. He won the fight by unanimous decision after 10 rounds (97-93, 98-92, 97-93).
In February, 2015 it was revealed that Skoglund was set to undergo surgery for a back injury, that would put him out from competition for six months.
Skoglund returned to defend his IBF Inter-Continental light heavyweight title against Oleksandr Cherviak on September 19, 2015. This marked the first time in his pro career that Skoglund fought in his native Sweden. This was also the first time a male boxing fight for a major title took place in Sweden since the ban on professional boxing in 1969, which was lifted in 2006. Skoglund defended his title by unanimous decision (120-108, 120-108, 119-109).
He fought Derek Edwards in a 10-round non-title fight on December 19, 2015. He won by unanimous decision (99-92, 100-90, 99-91).
Skoglund vs. Liebenberg, Shala
On April 23, 2016 Skoglund fought Ryno Liebenberg for the vacant IBO International light heavyweight title. He won the fight by unanimous decision (117-111, 117-111, 115-113).
In his next fight Skoglund fought for another championship, the vacant WBA International light heavyweight title, against Shpetim Shala. The bout was first expected to take place on October 28, 2016 but was later postponed to December 9, 2016. Skoglund won the fight by knockout, after dropping Shala three times, all in round 11.