US Marine vs Finnish Soldier Boxing Match Ends in One-Sided Beatdown
Despite maintaining a strong relationship, some of the best in the US and Finnish decided to face each other in the boxing ring.
Ever since the Nordic country became a key American ally during the Cold War between the USA and the USSR between 1947 and 1991, military personnel from the two nations still enjoy a friendly rivalry.
Just like various boxing events between the US and Royal Marines, some of the top soldiers from both American and Finland once decided to settle this rivalry inside the ring.
In the red corner, Finnish soldier Jari Keskinen prepared to face his opponent US Marine Greg Hoesing, who stood opposite him in the blue corner.
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And when the two stepped forward to fight in the centre of the ring, the result was devastating for one man.
Weighing in at 216 lbs and standing at six feet tall, Hoesing would have been deemed a heavyweight if he were to fight in the profesionall or amateur boxing scene.
Yet, the American was actually the smaller man in the bout as his Finnish opponent stood two inches taller than Hoesing and weighed in a massive 252lbs.
And once the bell rang signalling the start of the first round, Keskinen made his size advantage known as he immediately put the pressure on his opponent and took the front foot in the fight.
As Hoesing threw a series of wild punches, the Finn capitalised on knocked his opponent to the ground with a right hand early in the first round.
But the American wasn't prepared to quit so soon, as he rose to his feet only to be knocked down against just seconds before the bell rang signalling the end of the round.
As the two men stepped forward for the second round, Keskinen continued his brutal beat down as he once again put the US Marine down early in the second round.
Although Hoesing was able to get back up and beat the count, just seconds later the referee decided that he had seen enough and stepped in to end the fight, declaring the Finnish solider as the winner.
Despite the American immediately protesting the referee's decision, one commentators watching the fight explained that he felt “it was a good stoppage,” as Keskinen offered his respect to fans in attendance with a salute.
Ben McCrum