Iceland as we know it is a beautiful, but cold country. Little does the world know, the country boast some of the best up and coming amateur boxers this world is yet to see. I’m proud to say I had a hand in getting it all started there. I was stationed in Iceland in the early 90’s and began a boxing program at a local gymnasium. Word spread throughout the capital city of Reykyavik there was an American coach teaching boxing. Soon I was training up to 20 kids and adults at one point. I got to be so known I was summond by the former Icelandic powerlifting champ, Hyulti Arnesson, The Bear, to help him train for a toughman competition he was to enter in Las Vegas. I was a mere 175 lbs. The Bear stood 6’1″, 325lbs. But with my experience he was to learn you can’t be big and expect to manhandle even the smallest guy. As we danced around the ring in preperation for the fist to fly I talked to The Bear while I was showing him my footwork. Telling him the finer points of defense. Well, he didn’t take my advice until after the second time I splatter his blood from his nose all over his face. I gained the respect of The Bear as well as all the reporters, children and athletes that had been in the gym to witness their champion train. How could this scrawny, American coach come to their country and teach their mighty hero a lesson. Soon I was in celebrity status in Iceland. It seemed as though everyone in town knew who I was. That’s just one of the many reasons I loved Iceland so much.