By Przemyslaw Osiak
Former super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler (45-2, 34 KOs) sent a big message on Saturday night when he knocked out Allan Green (31-4, 21 KOs) with a single left hand in the fourth round, to capture the WBC silver title at 175-pounds. Following the contest Kessler spoke to us about the fight, in particular the knockdown he suffered in the first round.
What happened in the first round, when you got knocked down?
I think I had a little ring rust. I had been out of the ring a year. I should have moved a little more instead of being so stiff. There were so many fans. I wasn't nervous, but I was very excited, maybe too much. After the first round, I had time to think and talk to my trainer in the corner and it made a difference right after.
How long did it take for you to recover from that punch?
Right after, right after. Maybe five seconds after. He punched me, but it wasn't that big. I was hit but I wasn't shaken up. It was okay.
Do you plan to target the names at 168 or 175?
Maybe the guys at middleweight [Kessler said laughing]. I'm ready for everyone. I'm ready for all of the big guys.
Przemyslaw Osiak covers boxing for bokser.org