He lets himself be called Prince Wilhelm von Homburg: Norbert Grupe is a star in the 1960s. The blond boy from Berlin, also called "Box Beatle" because of his hairstyle, began his career with wrestling matches and fought his way up to professional boxing. Grupe always causes a stir, not only in terms of sport, but also with bizarre performances. This was also the case on June 21, 1969 - one day after his defeat by Argentinian Oscar Bonavena.
Grupe is a live guest on ZDF's "Aktuelle Sportstudio" if reporter Rainer Günzler is to answer questions. At first everything seems to be fine. Grupe sits in a chair, dressed in a turtleneck sweater and jacket. "How do you feel after the five rains last night," the reporter wants to know. "That was last night?" Grupe asks back. Apparently he seems confused. "How are you, okay?" Günzler asks. "I'm fine today," he replies shortly. It will be the last answer.
Because in the next two minutes the boxer says nothing more. Regardless of the question, he looks around, smiles – and remains silent. First Günzler asks a little desperately, wanting to get his interview guest to speak after all. Then he says angrily: "I found you better in the second round, I have to tell you. Because you did something there, now keep quiet. Why are you silent?" But the group remains stubborn. He grins into the camera and lets the questions of his counterpart bounce off him.
Afterwards it turns out: Grupe's behavior was an act of revenge against reporter Günzler. In a television report on the program "Der Sport-Spiegel" he was critical of the boxer's sporting achievements and also made unflattering comments about his sometimes bizarre performances. Grupe is said to have said to friends: "He'll get that back." On this Saturday evening the time had come.
In the same year, Grupe made headlines again. He wants to switch from the boxing ring to acting, playing the role of the criminal boxer Max Graf alongside Max Adorf in "The Gentlemen with the White Vest". But a great acting career and a boxing title were denied to him throughout his life. However, his appearance in the "Aktuelle Sportstudio" remains legendary.
