“I emptied a bottle of wine every night”
Boxer receives HIV diagnosis-he is healthy
04.10.2025 – 6:52 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Shortly before a boxing match, Norwegian Andreas Iversen is diagnosed with. The following days are a nightmare – until another message comes.
Norwegian boxer Andreas Iversen revealed a difficult time in an interview. Two years ago, the 29-year-old received a call from his doctor five days before a fight. “Hello. According to the test, you have HIV,” said the doctor, according to Iversen. “To put it from the train, that was the least,” the boxer recalled in an interview with the Norwegian TV broadcaster NRK.
With a routine check that all boxers have to undergo in Norway, a test after the blood was taken was positive. Iversen could hardly believe it, did another test. “For two days I didn’t know if I should compete or had HIV,” he said NRK.
Waiting for the second result was a nightmare for the young man. “I had to get drunk, almost emptied a bottle of wine every night. When I woke up at night because the alcohol had subsided, I emptied the rest of the bottle to sleep. To forget that I had HIV.”
After a few days the next turn followed. “I still remember the call I got from the doctor. ‘You don’t have a HIV.’ Damn, I was so happy, “said Iversen. His nightmare was over. Iversen resumed his career – and also changed his schedule. “I am now doing the tests in good time before the fight. It is best two months before,” said the 29-year-old.
Today the boxer wants to make the best of what has been experienced. Iversen: “Everything you go through in life is an exam. That’s how I see it. I have emerged strengthened from this situation.” He is fighting again this Saturday.