Mikkel Kessler

Last updated

Mikkel Kessler
MikkelKessler2012.jpg
Kessler in 2010
Born (1979-03-01) 1 March 1979 (age 45)
Copenhagen, Denmark
NationalityDanish
Other namesViking Warrior
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Reach188 cm (74 in)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights49
Wins46
Wins by KO35
Losses3

Mikkel Kessler (born 1 March 1979) is a Danish former professional boxer who competed from 1998 to 2013. He held multiple super-middleweight world championships, including the WBA title three times between 2004 and 2013, and the WBC title twice between 2006 and 2010.

Contents

Early life

Kessler was born to a Danish father and an English mother, Ann, who hails from Salisbury, Wiltshire. [1] He began his vocation early, training in boxing gyms at age 13.

Amateur career

Kessler competed five years as an amateur (2/93-1/98). He finished his amateur career with a record of 44 wins and three losses. He won the 1995 European Cadet (15-16 age group) Championship, [2] 1996 and 1997 Danish Junior Championships, [3] the 1996 Nordic Amateur Championship, [4] and in his last amateur bout won the 1998 Zealand International Tournament after stopping all 3 of his opponents.

Professional career

Early career

Kessler originally campaigned as a light middleweight and then middleweight for the first 22 fights of his career.

Super middleweight

After 3 years and 22 fights, Kessler settled in the super middleweight division. Kessler continued his hard hitting streak, dispatching 6 of his first 7 opponents by KO, thereby improving his record to 29–0 with 22 KO.

On 29 November 2002, Kessler fought for his first championship and defeated former WBC Super Middleweight Champion Dingaan Thobela over twelve rounds to become the International Boxing Association Champion. He gave up this belt to fight for the more recognized WBC International title on 11 April 2003, versus Craig Cummings. Kessler won by a knockout in the third round.

He defended his title on three occasions before finally hitting it big on 12 November 2004. His stablemate, Mads Larsen, another Danish World Class fighter, was set to challenge Manny Siaca for the WBA Championship in Copenhagen. Larsen was injured in training and Kessler took the fight on short notice, winning the title.

Kessler defended his title against Anthony Mundine in Sydney in June 2005 and Eric Lucas in January 2006.

On 14 October 2006, Kessler was elevated to WBA Super Champion status after winning the WBC title in a unification battle against WBC World Champion Markus Beyer at the Parken Stadium. He won by knockout at 2:58 in round 3.

Kessler defended his WBA (Super) and WBC titles on 24 March 2007, at the Parken Stadium against WBC mandatory challenger Librado Andrade. The fight was scored as a shutout (120–108) by all three judges.

Kessler vs. Calzaghe

Kessler then met fellow undefeated champion, Welshman Joe Calzaghe, in a bout that would unify his WBA and WBC super middleweight championships with Calzaghe's WBO and The Ring titles. The bout took place at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on 3 November 2007, in front of over 50,000 fans (then the largest indoor boxing event in European history), and Kessler lost the unification bout via unanimous decision, with the judges scoring the fight: 117–111, 116–112, 116–112. [5]

Second world title reign

After Calzaghe vacated the WBA title to move up to light heavyweight, Kessler was put in a match with Dimitri Sartison on 21 June 2008, for the vacant belt. Kessler knocked out Sartison in the final round to regain his title.

Kessler successfully defended his title against Danilo Häussler by third-round knockout on 25 October and against Gusmyl Perdomo (16–2, 10 KOs) by fourth-round knockout on 12 September 2009, one minute into the round.

In November 2009 the WBA once again promoted him to Super Champion, this time prior to unifying any Super Middleweight titles. [6]

Super Six

Kessler vs. Ward

His first fight was against Andre Ward on 21 November 2009 for Kessler's WBA Super Middleweight Championship in the Super Six World Boxing Classic. On 21 November 2009 Kessler lost his championship to Andre Ward. The fight was stopped in the eleventh round due to cuts on Kessler's face caused by what were deemed as unintentional headbutts by Ward, five in total. Kessler expressed in the post fight interview that he couldn't get out of first gear due to the headbutts and excessive clinching from Ward, and that he was eventually blinded by one of Ward's headbutts which on the post fight replay showed Ward ram his forehead directly into Kessler's eye. The fight went to the scorecards and Ward was far ahead by scores of 98–92, 98–92 and 97–93 at the time of the stoppage.

Kessler vs. Froch

On 24 April 2010 Kessler returned to fight against Britain's undefeated WBC Champion Carl Froch, a match that was called "a classic" and "one of the best matches in Danish boxing ever." [7] The contest went the distance and Kessler was handed a unanimous decision with scores of 115–113, 116–112 and 117–111. With the win, Kessler became a two time WBC Champion, handing Carl Froch his first defeat in the process. Froch later stated that he'd suffered a minor ear injury during training and he felt he would've won the fight if it had been held in his home-country of England, but congratulated Kessler on his victory. [8]

Andre Ward later praised Kessler tremendously in an interview, calling Kessler "skill wise... the toughest I’ve fought so far." Ward went on to express admiration over Kessler's career and dispelling any criticism after his own victory over Kessler. "People want to put down Mikkel Kessler because of our fight but he’s proven himself. He’s proven that if he loses a title he can come back and become champion again, he did that after our fight so now he’s a three time world champion. Anybody that can win a world title three times and only have two losses in the process says a lot. He’s a great fighter and I give him a lot of credit and I have a lot of respect for him." [9]

On 25 August Kessler announced he was withdrawing from the Super Six tournament due to the worsening of the eye injury he suffered in his fight against Ward. According to Ekstra Bladet newspaper, Kessler stated he was seeing double. Doctors told him he must take a nine-month break from boxing. [10]

Comeback

Light heavyweight

Kessler vs. Green

In 2012, Kessler moved up in weight class to light heavyweight. In May 2012, he fought Allan Green for the vacant WBC Silver Light Heavyweight title. Kessler won via knockout in the fourth round, after getting dropped by a hard right hand in the first round.

Return to super middleweight

Kessler vs. Magee

Late in 2012, Kessler went up against Brian Magee of Northern Ireland for the WBA Super middleweight title. Two times in the 2nd round Brian Magee went to the floor after hard bodyshots from Kessler, and 24 seconds in the third round it was all over, when Kessler landed another hard bodyshot to Brian Magee.

Kessler vs. Froch II

On 15 January 2013, it was announced that a rematch between Mikkel Kessler and Carl Froch was going to take place on 25 May 2013 at The O2 Arena in London. There will be two belts on the line, Kessler's WBA- and Froch's IBF title. Kessler won the last showdown between the two boxers, in Herning, Denmark. That time Froch was an undefeated WBC title holder, and they were both fighting in the Super Six World Boxing Classic. The faced each other at stage 2, after Kessler lost his first fight against Andre Ward, and Froch won a close fought contest against Andre Dirrell.

Froch defeated Kessler by unanimous decision on 25 May 2013, by 118-110 116-112 115-113 as he controlled Kessler with his jab for large parts of the fight. Kessler caught Froch with a big right hand in the 11th round to wobble him, but it was too late in the fight. [11]

Retirement and potential comeback

On 1 February 2015, Kessler announced that he was in a "state of retirement" via social media. [12] Kessler came out of retirement on 31 March 2017. [13] On 21 June, it was said that Kessler could be added to the World Boxing Super Series. [14] Kessler passed on the Super Series and was looking to face Roamer Angulo on November. [15] [16] On 16 October, Kessler revealed he had been hit by Lyme disease and his return would be delayed until 2018. [17] In February 2018, speaking to BT, Kessler said, "I just can't find the motivation to go through with it all," confirming he would stay retired. [18]

Mikkel Kessler is mentioned by name in the Danish band Volbeat's song "A Warrior's Call" with the lyric "The Viking warrior Mikkel Kessler will now brand his name in the back of your head, yeah..."

Professional boxing record

49 fights46 wins3 losses
By knockout350
By decision113
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
49Loss46–3 Carl Froch UD12 25 May 2013 The O2 Arena, London, EnglandLost WBA (Regular) super-middleweight title;
For IBF super-middleweight title
48Win46–2 Brian Magee TKO3 (12), 0:24 8 Dec 2012 Jyske Bank Boxen, Herning, DenmarkWon WBA (Regular) super-middleweight title
47Win45–2 Allan Green KO4 (12), 0:1719 May 2012Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, DenmarkWon vacant WBC Silver light-heavyweight title
46Win44–2 Mehdi Bouadla TKO6 (12), 2:254 Jun 2011Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, DenmarkWon vacant WBO European super-middleweight title
45Win43–2 Carl Froch UD12 24 Apr 2010 MCH Messecenter Herning, Herning, DenmarkWon WBC super-middleweight title
44Loss42–2 Andre Ward TD11 (12), 1:42 21 Nov 2009 Oracle Arena, Oakland, California, USLost WBA (Super) super-middleweight title;
Super Six World Boxing Classic: group stage 1;
Unanimous TD after Kessler cut from accidental head clashes
43Win42–1 Gusmyr Perdomo TKO4 (12), 0:5112 Sep 2009 MCH Messecenter Herning, Herning, DenmarkRetained WBA super-middleweight title
42Win41–1Danilo HausslerKO3 (12), 1:0825 Oct 2008 Weser-Ems-Halle, Oldenburg, GermanyRetained WBA super-middleweight title
41Win40–1 Dimitri Sartison KO12 (12), 2:0021 Jun 2008Brøndby Hall, Copenhagen, DenmarkWon vacant WBA (Regular) super-middleweight title
40Loss39–1 Joe Calzaghe UD12 3 Nov 2007 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, WalesLost WBA (Unified) and WBC super-middleweight titles;
For WBO and The Ring super-middleweight titles
39Win39–0 Librado Andrade UD1224 Mar 2007Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, DenmarkRetained WBA (Unified) and WBC super-middleweight titles
38Win38–0 Markus Beyer KO3 (12), 2:5814 Oct 2006Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, DenmarkRetained WBA (Unified) super-middleweight title;
Won WBC super-middleweight title
37Win37–0 Eric Lucas TKO10 (12), 1:5114 Jan 2006Brøndby Hall, Copenhagen, DenmarkRetained WBA super-middleweight title
36Win36–0 Anthony Mundine UD128 Jun 2005 Entertainment Centre, Sydney, AustraliaRetained WBA super-middleweight title
35Win35–0 Manny Siaca RTD7 (12), 3:0012 Nov 2004Brøndby Hall, Copenhagen, DenmarkWon WBA super-middleweight title
34Win34–0Andre ThysseTKO11 (12), 1:3211 Jun 2004K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, DenmarkRetained WBC International super-middleweight title
33Win33–0 Julio César Green KO1 (12), 1:2013 Mar 2004 Brøndby Hall, Copenhagen, DenmarkRetained WBC International super-middleweight title
32Win32–0Henry PorrasTKO9 (12), 2:4624 Oct 2003K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, DenmarkRetained WBC International super-middleweight title
31Win31–0Craig CummingsKO3 (12), 1:0911 Apr 2003K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, DenmarkWon vacant WBC International super-middleweight title
30Win30–0 Dingaan Thobela UD1229 Nov 2002Falkoner Center, Copenhagen, DenmarkWon vacant IBA super-middleweight title
29Win29–0Dean WilliamsKO1 (8), 1:588 Nov 2002Falkoner Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
28Win28–0Gerard ZdziarskiTKO8 (8), 2:334 Oct 2002Holbæk Stadion, Holbæk, Denmark
27Win27–0Orlando Javier AcunaRTD6 (8), 3:0024 May 2002Aalborghallen, Aalborg, Denmark
26Win26–0Arthur AllenTKO6 (8), 0:5215 Mar 2002 Stadionhal, Viborg, Denmark
25Win25–0Manny SobralRTD4 (8), 3:008 Feb 2002Falkoner Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
24Win24–0Fernando HernándezTKO2 (8), 1:3016 Nov 2001 Roskilde Hallerne, Roskilde, Denmark
23Win23–0David MendezUD613 Oct 2001 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark
22Win22–0Rodrigues MoungoKO4 (6), 1:0927 Apr 2001Aalborghallen, Aalborg, Denmark
21Win21–0Miguel JulioKO3 (6), 0:309 Mar 2001K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
20Win20–0Patrick RubesKO2 (6), 0:459 Feb 2001Idrætshal, Odense, Denmark
19Win19–0Tony MenefeeTKO6 (6), 1:361 Sep 2000Koldinghallerne, Kolding, Denmark
18Win18–0Kevin HallKO2 (6), 2:4128 Apr 2000K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
17Win17–0Tom YounanKO3 (6), 1:3531 Mar 2000 Stadionhal, Esbjerg, Denmark
16Win16–0Israel PonceKO2 (6), 2:594 Mar 2000 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, US
15Win15–0Charles WhittakerKO3 (6), 2:3018 Feb 2000Aalborghallen, Aalborg, Denmark
14Win14–0Sidney Mxoli MsutuUD614 Jan 2000Koldinghallerne, Kolding, Denmark
13Win13–0Jean Paul D'AlessandroUD64 May 1999 Circus Building, Copenhagen, Denmark
12Win12–0Jose Maquina RojasKO2 (6), 2:1016 Apr 1999K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
11Win11–0Alejandro De LeonUD619 Mar 1999Falkoner Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
10Win10–0Jaime BalboaKO6 (6), 2:1312 Feb 1999 Falkoner Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
9Win9–0Dean MartinUD627 Nov 1998Vejlby-Risskov Hallen, Aarhus, Denmark
8Win8–0Anthony IvoryUD66 Nov 1998K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
7Win7–0Edwin MurilloKO2 (6), 2:3416 Oct 1998 Aalborghallen, Aalborg, Denmark
6Win6–0Sammy SparkmanKO1 (4), 2:5418 Sep 1998Sundbyøster Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
5Win5–0Terry ClarkKO1 (4), 2:354 Sep 1998 Koldinghallerne, Kolding, Denmark
4Win4–0Rick StocktonKO1 (4), 2:165 Jun 1998 K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
3Win3–0Alex LuboUD41 May 1998Kolding Teater, Kolding, Denmark
2Win2–0Michael CorleoneTKO3 (4), 2:403 Apr 1998 Holbæk Stadion, Holbæk, Denmark
1Win1–0Kelly MaysKO1 (4), 1:0920 Mar 1998 Vejlby-Risskov Hallen, Aarhus, Denmark

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References

  1. Gareth A Davies (1 November 2007). "Mikkel Kessler displays his warrior spirit". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  2. "European Cadet Championships 1995". Amateur-boxing.strefa.pl. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  3. team palle amateur record bottom page
  4. scroll through Nordic Champions at bottom page Archived 14 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Calzaghe v Kessler as it happened
  6. "Sartison-Bozic for WBA Super Middleweight title". WBA. 3 November 2009. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  7. Thor Carlskov (25 April 2010). "Mikkel Kessler vandt en klassiker". Ekstra Bladet. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  8. Vester, Mark (24 April 2010) Froch: If I Was Back Home, I Would Have Beaten Kessler – Boxing News. Boxingscene.com. Retrieved on 2013-03-01.
  9. Ricardo Conde (30 June 2010). "Q&A: Andre Ward". Fightnews.com. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  10. "Kessler out of Super Six". Fightnews.com. 25 August 2010. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  11. "Carl Froch gains revenge on Mikkel Kessler in gripping title fight". TheGuardian.com . 25 May 2013.
  12. "Kessler announces retirement on Social Meia". BleacherReport. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  13. "Mikkel Kessler: Former world champion to return four years after last fight". BBC Sport. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  14. "Mikkel Kessler To Be Part of The World Boxing Super Series - Boxing News". boxingscene.com. 21 June 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  15. "Mikkel Kessler to Pass on WBSS Wild Card, Eyes Fall Ring Return". 22 June 2017.
  16. "Mikkel Kessler vs. Roamer Angulo Nears for November 11". 5 September 2017.
  17. "Kessler's comeback on hold due to tick bite". 16 October 2017.
  18. "Mikkel Kessler Rules Out Comeback Plans, Will Remain Retired". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Jürgen Brähmer
WBC International
super-middleweight champion

11 April 2003 – November 2004
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Otis Grant
Vacant
Title last held by
Roberto Santos
WBO European
super-middleweight champion

4 June 2011 – January 2012
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Arthur Abraham
New title WBC Silver
light-heavyweight champion

19 May 2012 – November 2012
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Tony Bellew
Minor world boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Reginaldo Andrade
IBA super-middleweight champion
29 November 2002 – April 2003
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Anthony Bonsante
Major world boxing titles
Preceded by WBA super-middleweight champion
12 November 2004 – 14 October 2006
Won Super title
Vacant
Title next held by
Anthony Mundine
as Regular champion
Vacant
Title last held by
Sven Ottke
WBA super-middleweight champion
Super title

14 October 2006 – 4 November 2007
Succeeded by
Preceded by WBC super-middleweight champion
14 October 2006 – 4 November 2007
Vacant
Title last held by
Anthony Mundine
WBA super-middleweight champion
21 June 2008 – 3 November 2009
Regular title until 21 October 2008
Promoted
Vacant
Title next held by
Dimitri Sartison
as Regular champion
Vacant
Title last held by
Joe Calzaghe
WBA super-middleweight champion
Super title

3 November 2009 – 21 November 2009
Succeeded by
Preceded by WBC super-middleweight champion
24 April 2010 – 7 September 2010
Status changed
Vacant
Title next held by
Carl Froch
Preceded by WBA super-middleweight champion
Regular title

8 December 201226 May 2013
Lost bid for Unified title
Vacant
Title next held by
Fedor Chudinov