Pekka Kokkonen vs. Henny van Berkum (1st meeting)

Pekka Kokkonen lost to Henny van Berkum by PTS in round 6 of 6

• Date: 1957-11-29
• Location: Nordstrandhallen, Oslo, Norway

The Dutchman Van Berkum was ahead on points when the strong Finn Kokkonen rallied in the 6th and final round. Kokkonen floored van Berkum four times, the Dutchman got up on " nine " each time and was saved by the bell. The sole judge, ring- refree Harald Hansen of Norway, gave the verdict to van Berkum.

Kokkonens management protested to EBU. Investigations however cleared the refree H. Hansen from any suspicions and allegations of irresponsible conduct and ill judgement.

The Finn and the Dutchman were to meet two more times, in 1958 and 1961, the Finn winning on KO each time.

This fight, together with three others, marked the return of professional boxing in Norway after a span of 16 years. Promotor was the 29 year old jockey, proboxer and adventurer Leif Hansen ( 1928-2004 ). The arena was Nordstrandhallen on the east side of the Oslo Fjord. Hansen had made his pro debut in 1956 under the Swede Edwin Ahlqvist and belonged to the " team Ingo " (Ingemar Johansson) Leif Hansen had over 300 amateur fights 1945-1956, and was to box as a pro on many of his own productions in Oslo and Trondheim 1957-1959, a total of nine cards, which became very popular in the days before TV.