Former cross-country skiing star Petter Northug has dismissed combat sports ambitions from former handball player Frank Løke, according to a press release reported by Dagbladet. Løke suggested a potential matchup after losing a boxing match to Kai Robin Havnaa in Arendal, but Northug stated that Løke is closer to a ticket in the stands than a bout.
The War of Words Before the Larvik Showdown
Petter Northug is preparing to step into the boxing ring against former football star John Arne Riise on October 17, in an event organized by Celebrity Fight Night in Larvik. Following Løke’s defeat against professional boxer Kai Robin Havnaa, Løke publicly targeted the winner of the upcoming celebrity bout as a future opponent. Northug did not mince words in his response to the challenge.
“It’s nice that Frank is paying attention, but he’s currently closer to a stand ticket than a new fight,” Northug said in a press release quoted by Dagbladet. “Frank challenges everyone just to get his name in print. Soon he’ll start sending fight invitations along with his Christmas cards.”
According to Northug, any potential future meeting depends on the outcome of his match against Riise. “First I’m going to beat Riise. If Frank is still standing around shouting for attention when we’re done, we can consider whether he deserves a spot on the poster,” Northug stated. Alternatively, Northug suggested that Løke could face the loser of the upcoming October bout, allowing Northug to watch “two men with unlimited self-confidence fight over who needs attention the most” from ringside.
Ticket Sales and Pricing Strategy for Celebrity Fight Night
As the October 17 event approaches, ticket availability remains high across large sections of the arena in Larvik, particularly for seats located close to the boxing ring. According to official ticket data checked by Dagbladet, ringside seats are priced between 2,725 kroner and 5,635 kroner, while seats further away sell for 995 kroner.
Ole Martin Holthe of Celebrity Fight Night defended the pricing structure and current sales volume. Speaking to Dagbladet while traveling in Argentina to study similar South American entertainment formats, Holthe expressed no concern over the available inventory. He attributed the current sales pace to a unique summer period, a recent pause in marketing while waiting for the Løke-Havnaa match to conclude, and the novelty of the event format.
“Compared to prices for festival passes and other similar events, they are not that high in our eyes,” Holthe told Dagbladet, adding that the organizers aim to deliver an entire evening of entertainment surrounding multiple celebrity show-matches rather than a standard athletic fixture.
Additional Bouts Confirmed for Larvik
Beyond the main event featuring Northug and Riise, organizers have confirmed three additional show matches for the Larvik fight night card. Reality television personality Linni Meister has been revealed as one of the participants, though her opponent remains unannounced.
In addition, organizer disclosures to Dagbladet confirmed that Elisabeth Sletten will enter the ring for one of the evening’s bouts. “I love to compete. More than anything, I love the feeling of winning, but also the feeling of having put in a proper job beforehand. With all respect to the opponent: I’m going in to win,” Sletten told Dagbladet. Her opponent has not yet been publicly identified.
Did You Know?
Celebrity Fight Night events combine traditional boxing exhibitions with extensive entertainment packages, drawing inspiration from similar large-scale promotional formats in South America.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the boxing match between Petter Northug and John Arne Riise?
The show match takes place on October 17 in Larvik, according to Dagbladet.
How much do tickets cost for the event?
Tickets range from 995 kroner for seats further from the ring to between 2,725 kroner and 5,635 kroner for ringside placement, based on official figures reported by Dagbladet.
Who else is scheduled to fight on the card?
Alongside Northug and Riise, organizers have confirmed that Linni Meister and Elisabeth Sletten will participate in separate show matches, with their opponents yet to be named.
Keep reading