Mikkel Kessler: record, next fight and profile →
Former champion Mikkel Kessler (46-3, 35KOs), 35-years-old, is ready to return to the ring - but he wants a big fight upon returning. Kessler has two targets in mind - IBF/WBA 'regular' super middleweight champion Carl Froch and WBA 'super' champion Andre Ward. Kessler defeated Froch in a very exciting fight in April of 2010 in Denmark. Froch got revenge in 2013, winning a twelve round decision in their London rematch.
"The Viking Warrior' Mikkel Kessler (46-3, 35KOs) is still hungry for a trilogy fight with IBF/WBA 'regular' super middleweight champion Carl Froch. Kessler won the first bout with a hard fought twelve round decision in Denmark in 2010, and last May he lost the rematch by way of a twelve round decision at the O2 Arena in London. Kessler has been inactive since the rematch with Froch. He still intends to continue his career but wants a big fight. Recently Froch's rival, George Groves, signed a contract with Kessler's promoter Sauerland Event. Kessler says it's still too early for him to face Groves, but he's more than ready for another go with Froch.
James DeGale needed to produce a big performance at Wembley Stadium last month, something he certainly delivered. On one of the biggest nights in British boxing history, the 2008 Beijing Gold medallist produced his most impressive performance as a professional stopping Brandon Gonzales in four rounds. His trainer Jim McDonnell looked back on the fight and onwards to the future in a telephone conversation with BoxingScene.
Promoter Eddie Hearn says Carl Froch's options are open but he expects the super-middleweight world champion to continue his boxing career in the not too distant future. Froch settled the simmering rivalry between himself and domestic rival George Groves in their second fight on Saturday night to retain his IBF and WBA super-middleweight titles following an eighth-round stoppage at Wembley Stadium. Nottingham's Froch had come under heavy scrutiny since beating Groves with a controversial ninth-round stoppage in November in the first contest. The London challenger claimed he had dominated that battle and predicted at the final press conference that he would knock Froch out with a left hook.
Former champion Mikkel Kessler was ringside on Saturday night at Wembley Stadium in London, and watched Carl Froch retain his IBF/WBA 'regular' super middleweight titles with an eight round knockout of British rival George Groves. Kessler (46-3, 35KOs) has not fought since losing a twelve round decision to Froch last May. The Danish boxer is currently training for a ring return in the fall. He handed Froch his first career defeat, a twelve round decision in April of 2010 and feels ready for a trilogy battle with the Nottingham boxer.
Former champion Mikkel "Viking Warrior" Kessler is a very interested party in Saturday's super middleweight grudge rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves, taking place before 80,000 fans at Wembley. Kessler won a twelve round decision over Froch in 2010, but then lost a decision in their rematch last May. The Danish star also used Groves as a sparring partner for the Froch rematch. Kessler says Groves needs to follow the same game plan that he used to defeat Froch in their first meeting.
The Viking Warrior, Mikkel Kessler (46-3), is never out of shape but on May 27th trainer Jimmy Montoya arrived to Copenhagen for a month of serious boxing training and on Wednesday Kessler sparred with young prospects Torben Keller (10-0-1) and Abdul Khattab (7-0). There is neither a finalized date, opponent nor site for Kessler´s next fight which is expected late this fall. This weekend Kessler will of course be in London to watch Froch vs Groves II. There´s also a deal with network TDC for documentary where shooting has already begun and the idea is to follow the former WBC and WBA super middleweight champ all the way up to his next fight.
Before Mikkel Kessler started his press conference in Copenhagen to announce his comeback, an interested party had made a call to inquire about a potential fight. According to Danish tabloid Ekstrabladet, Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions reached out to Sauerland Event, to discuss the possibility of a clash between Kessler and IBO/WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin for a July date in Las Vegas. The fight would obviously have to take place at the super middleweight limit of 168-pounds, although Kessler has stated in several interviews that he might entertain a catch-weight.
Mikkel Kessler and Kalle Sauerland will stage a press conference today in Copenhagen to talk about the future. It was first believed that Kessler would announce his retirement but Danish paper Ekstrabladet reveals and that the Viking Warrior will come back and is looking for a big fight.
Mikkel Kessler is set to make an announcement about his career at a press conference on Wednesday. The former super-middleweight champion has not fought since losing a rematch to Carl Froch last May. Some believe the 35-year-old will call time on his glittering career which has been hampered in recent years due to injuries. However, Danish newspapers claim the 'Viking Warrior' will instead continue his career with several possible fights within reach.