A rundown of possible Kessler opponents. The analysis.

[KJB]

Bute and Taylor are the two guys Id like to see him get in there with, either one.

[Dan...]

i want to see kessler- dawson

that fight needs to happen

I'm not sure that is a terrific match-up for Mikkel. I see Dawson's style giving him some problems.

[Dan...]

Bute and Taylor are the two guys Id like to see him get in there with, either one.

Good god would Kessler destroy Bute.

I agree though, Taylor would be a good fight. I see Kessler winning that one too so it is definately one he should look at.

[BattlingNelson]

kessler needs to fight on some networks that i can see him! it's a pian in the ass watching on the streams, hbo, sho, make it happen!

Considering the fact that Pavlik-Hopkins only made 200K buys it would appear to be a good idea to bring big or at least semibig names back on ABC/CBS/NBC in the US. It would help boxing in the long run I think. I think it was proven by Kessler beating a nobody here in Denmark that boxing is good entertainment and that people will tune in if the know (at least one of ) the names.

[Derranged_]

Kessler is arguably the biggest sportsperson in Denmark. At least I cannot think of anyone close.

The Haussler fight was the first time in a very long time boxing was on a major network here and it was a major success. 20% (1.1 million) of the danish population watched the fight. The largest ever to a boxing match.

That's good news; I find it intregueing that boxing is on the increase in many countries (especially in Europe) while it's kind of waning in interest here in the U.S....

[BattlingNelson]

That's good news; I find it intregueing that boxing is on the increase in many countries (especially in Europe) while it's kind of waning in interest here in the U.S....

It's a actually on the decline in Denmark. After Kessler there is abolutely ZIPP!

Germany is another story. Boxing is big time business down there and they have been succesful with eastern european imports. It's a bit surprising I think, but the germans have really taken them to heart.

[IMDAZED]

After Mikkel Kessler's expected demolition of the outclassed Danilo Haussler the speculation in Denmark regarding Kessler's next opponent is intense.

Below I give a rundown of possibilities based on reports in the danish press today.


Bernard Hopkins:
First of all Kessler's promoter/manager Mogens Palle says that it's a waiting game until nov. 8 when Calzaghe and RJJ squares off. "I hope Calzaghe wins, because a when for Jones would guarantee a Jones vs. Hopkins return fight", Palle says. "A Calzaghe win would mean that that fight would be uninteresting. Hopkins would then go for a return fight with Joe which seems unlikely. That could open the door for a Kessler vs. Hopkins fight."

Palle further states that he has several offers that US broadcasters would like to see, but he wants to wait until after nov. 8.

Personally I am pretty sure one of the offers is Chad Dawson. More on this below.

Joe Calzaghe
It's not very likely that Joe Calzaghe would take a rematch with Kessler. Mogens Palle states however, that he is willing to offer Calzaghe a large amount to face Kessler in Copenhagen.

Chad Dawson
According to the respected newspaper JP.DK, Palle has an offer from HBO. Palle likely isn't interested although the fight could be made at a catchweight between 168 and 175.

Jermain Taylor/Jeff Lacy
Taylor fights an eliminator against Jeff Lacy nov. 15. The fight gives the winner right to face the WBC champion which is either Jean Pascal or Carl Froch. Taylor is a darling of HBO and HBO, according to Palle and others, also likes Kessler. Therefore a Taylor - Kessler fight is an option. So is Kessler - Lacy for the same reasons.

Lucien Bute
The rumainian southpaw fights for Interbox who has coorporated with Palle on several occasions. If both parties can see the point a unification fight is a good option. Such a fight is a big risk for both parties however as there is a lot to lose for the defeated fighter.

Carl Froch
Froch likely defeats Jean Pascal in in december thereby picking up the WBC belt. Carl Froch is not a big name on the world stage yet, but if he and Kessler is having difficulty getting the big fights a unification fight might be a viable option.

Gusmyl Perdoma
Who?????? No one has likely ever heard that name before. Except the ratings comitée of the WBA which has installed the venezuelan as Kessler's no.1 contender. Perdoma has a record of 15-2. One of his defeats comes at the hand of Dimitri Sartison who Kessler hospitalized in his titlewinning effort in June. Is it a coincidence that WBA had it's HQ in Venezuela until recently?

If anything else fails Kessler has to defend against Perdoma. That fight could be made in Denmark or perhaps in the US to give Kessler a little exposure.

Nicely done, Bat.

As a fan, I'd love to see Kessler-Dawson take place but I don't see Team Kessler taking such a high risk, low reward bout at this stage. Interesting that an offer has been made/HBO has contacted them. Perhaps there's still hope! If not, Jermain Taylor will suffice for much-needed US exposure - assuming that fight takes place in the States.

[Clegg]

Does Dawson have a long-term deal with Showtime, or are things arranged from fight-to-fight?

[BattlingNelson]

Nicely done, Bat.

As a fan, I'd love to see Kessler-Dawson take place but I don't see Team Kessler taking such a high risk, low reward bout at this stage. Interesting that an offer has been made/HBO has contacted them. Perhaps there's still hope! If not, Jermain Taylor will suffice for much-needed US exposure - assuming that fight takes place in the States.

Thank you.

Obviously there's a lot of smoke coming out of Palles HQ. He's saying that he has "several offers".... tsk tsk... He is looking to gain some negotiating leverage there I would think.

The HBO-offer comes from one paper while another stated that Palle had an offer for Kessler to fight Dawson. It's my own speculation that it might have been HBO trying to make that fight. I think the preference from Palle/Kessler is:

1: Calzaghe
2: Hopkins
3: Taylor
4: Bute
5: Dawson
6: Froch

[-Antonio-]

They should wait until after the Taylor/Lacy fight. I'm pretty sure HBO would be interested in a Taylor/Kessler fight. I doubt Froch, Inkin, or Bute would fight Kessler at this point.