By Terence Dooley
Denmark’s ‘Viking Warrior’ Mikkel Kessler had his first outing in fourteen months when meeting France’s Mehdi Bouadla at the Parken Arena, Denmark earlier tonight. The former WBC and WBA world titleholder picked up the WBO European super-middleweight title courtesy of a dominant sixth round stoppage win.
Kessler (166½lb) lost his ‘0’ to Andre Ward in 2009. He roared back to scalp Carl Froch in April of last year. Taking away Froch’s undefeated tag with a deserved point’s triumph. The 6’ 1’’ boxer compiled a 44-3 amateur slate; he has posted wins over Markus Beyer, Librado Andrade, Anthony Mundine and Eric Lucas during his 13-year paid career.
Bouadla (166lb) had racked up eleven straight victories going into the fight. Collecting the French national title, the WBO Inter-Continental belt and the IBF’s International strap en route to this step up in class.
Kessler, though, looked a fighter reborn. He used his jab and right hand as well as left hooks to the body and head to subdue his 29-year-old opponent. There were Mayday signals coming from Mehdi throughout the contest; the visitor went down twice under heavy pressure in the sixth, forcing referee Manuel Maritxalar to put him out of his misery at 2:25 of the session.
Mikkel motors to 44-2 (33), his only setbacks coming against Joe Calzaghe, points, and Andre Ward, a technical decision defeat after accidental head clashes caused cuts over his left and right eye. Bouadla drops to 22-4 (10).
Brentwood’s Darren Barker has sparred Kessler. The European middleweight champion believes that the Dane is now back in the 168lb picture. “He didn’t look like a man who has been out for fourteen months. There were times there where I was wincing for Bouadla because I know how hard he (Kessler) hits. He has thrown himself back into the mix with that performance,” enthused Barker during Sky Sport’s coverage of Kessler’s win.
Johnny Nelson was equally impressed. Sheffield’s former WBO cruiserweight world titlist feels that the 32-year-old can now go into fights with the likes of IBF boss Lucian Bute or the eventual winner of the Super Six tournament.
“Kessler wanted to make an impression and completely bullied Bouadla. He wanted to send a message out. He didn’t look like there was a bit of ring rust at all. He played with him. Broke the body, broke the head,” mused Nelson.
Please send news and views to neckodeemus@hotmail.co.uk
