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 World Boxing Association (WBA) title (Super and Regular versions) three times between 2004 and 2013, and the WBC title twice between 2006 and 2010.
Mikkel Kessler | |
|---|---|
 Kessler in 2010 | |
| Born | 1 March 1979 Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Nationality | Danish |
| Other names | Viking Warrior |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | |
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Reach | 188 cm (74 in) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 49 |
| Wins | 46 |
| Wins by KO | 35 |
| Losses | 3 |
Early life
editKessler 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
editKessler 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
editEarly career
editKessler originally campaigned as a light middleweight and then middleweight for the first 22 fights of his career.
Super middleweight
editAfter 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
editKessler 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
editAfter 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
editKessler vs. Ward
editHis 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
editOn 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
editLight heavyweight
editKessler vs. Green
editIn 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
editKessler vs. Magee
editLate in 2012, Kessler went up against Brian Magee of Northern Ireland for the WBA (Regular) 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
editOn 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 (Regular) 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
editOn 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]
In Popular Culture
editMikkel 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
edit| 49 fights | 46 wins | 3 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 35 | 0 |
| By decision | 11 | 3 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | Loss | 46–3 | Carl Froch | UD | 12 | 25 May 2013 | The O2 Arena, London, England | Lost WBA (Regular) super-middleweight title; For IBF super-middleweight title |
| 48 | Win | 46–2 | Brian Magee | TKO | 3 (12), 0:24 | 8 Dec 2012 | Jyske Bank Boxen, Herning, Denmark | Won WBA (Regular) super-middleweight title |
| 47 | Win | 45–2 | Allan Green | KO | 4 (12), 0:17 | 19 May 2012 | Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark | Won vacant WBC Silver light-heavyweight title |
| 46 | Win | 44–2 | Mehdi Bouadla | TKO | 6 (12), 2:25 | 4 Jun 2011 | Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark | Won vacant WBO European super-middleweight title |
| 45 | Win | 43–2 | Carl Froch | UD | 12 | 24 Apr 2010 | MCH Messecenter Herning, Herning, Denmark | Won WBC super-middleweight title |
| 44 | Loss | 42–2 | Andre Ward | TD | 11 (12), 1:42 | 21 Nov 2009 | Oracle Arena, Oakland, California, US | Lost WBA (Super) super-middleweight title; Super Six World Boxing Classic: group stage 1; Unanimous TD after Kessler cut from accidental head clashes |
| 43 | Win | 42–1 | Gusmyr Perdomo | TKO | 4 (12), 0:51 | 12 Sep 2009 | MCH Messecenter Herning, Herning, Denmark | Retained WBA super-middleweight title |
| 42 | Win | 41–1 | Danilo Haussler | KO | 3 (12), 1:08 | 25 Oct 2008 | Weser-Ems-Halle, Oldenburg, Germany | Retained WBA super-middleweight title |
| 41 | Win | 40–1 | Dimitri Sartison | KO | 12 (12), 2:00 | 21 Jun 2008 | Brøndby Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark | Won vacant WBA (Regular) super-middleweight title |
| 40 | Loss | 39–1 | Joe Calzaghe | UD | 12 | 3 Nov 2007 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales | Lost WBA (Unified) and WBC super-middleweight titles; For WBO and The Ring super-middleweight titles |
| 39 | Win | 39–0 | Librado Andrade | UD | 12 | 24 Mar 2007 | Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark | Retained WBA (Unified) and WBC super-middleweight titles |
| 38 | Win | 38–0 | Markus Beyer | KO | 3 (12), 2:58 | 14 Oct 2006 | Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark | Retained WBA (Unified) super-middleweight title; Won WBC super-middleweight title |
| 37 | Win | 37–0 | Eric Lucas | TKO | 10 (12), 1:51 | 14 Jan 2006 | Brøndby Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark | Retained WBA super-middleweight title |
| 36 | Win | 36–0 | Anthony Mundine | UD | 12 | 8 Jun 2005 | Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia | Retained WBA super-middleweight title |
| 35 | Win | 35–0 | Manny Siaca | RTD | 7 (12), 3:00 | 12 Nov 2004 | Brøndby Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark | Won WBA super-middleweight title |
| 34 | Win | 34–0 | Andre Thysse | TKO | 11 (12), 1:32 | 11 Jun 2004 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark | Retained WBC International super-middleweight title |
| 33 | Win | 33–0 | Julio César Green | KO | 1 (12), 1:20 | 13 Mar 2004 | Brøndby Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark | Retained WBC International super-middleweight title |
| 32 | Win | 32–0 | Henry Porras | TKO | 9 (12), 2:46 | 24 Oct 2003 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark | Retained WBC International super-middleweight title |
| 31 | Win | 31–0 | Craig Cummings | KO | 3 (12), 1:09 | 11 Apr 2003 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark | Won vacant WBC International super-middleweight title |
| 30 | Win | 30–0 | Dingaan Thobela | UD | 12 | 29 Nov 2002 | Falkoner Center, Copenhagen, Denmark | Won vacant IBA super-middleweight title |
| 29 | Win | 29–0 | Dean Williams | KO | 1 (8), 1:58 | 8 Nov 2002 | Falkoner Center, Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| 28 | Win | 28–0 | Gerard Zdziarski | TKO | 8 (8), 2:33 | 4 Oct 2002 | Holbæk Stadion, Holbæk, Denmark | |
| 27 | Win | 27–0 | Orlando Javier Acuna | RTD | 6 (8), 3:00 | 24 May 2002 | Aalborghallen, Aalborg, Denmark | |
| 26 | Win | 26–0 | Arthur Allen | TKO | 6 (8), 0:52 | 15 Mar 2002 | Stadionhal, Viborg, Denmark | |
| 25 | Win | 25–0 | Manny Sobral | RTD | 4 (8), 3:00 | 8 Feb 2002 | Falkoner Center, Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| 24 | Win | 24–0 | Fernando Hernández | TKO | 2 (8), 1:30 | 16 Nov 2001 | Roskilde Hallerne, Roskilde, Denmark | |
| 23 | Win | 23–0 | David Mendez | UD | 6 | 13 Oct 2001 | Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Rodrigues Moungo | KO | 4 (6), 1:09 | 27 Apr 2001 | Aalborghallen, Aalborg, Denmark | |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Miguel Julio | KO | 3 (6), 0:30 | 9 Mar 2001 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Patrick Rubes | KO | 2 (6), 0:45 | 9 Feb 2001 | Idrætshal, Odense, Denmark | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Tony Menefee | TKO | 6 (6), 1:36 | 1 Sep 2000 | Koldinghallerne, Kolding, Denmark | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Kevin Hall | KO | 2 (6), 2:41 | 28 Apr 2000 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Tom Younan | KO | 3 (6), 1:35 | 31 Mar 2000 | Stadionhal, Esbjerg, Denmark | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Israel Ponce | KO | 2 (6), 2:59 | 4 Mar 2000 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, US | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Charles Whittaker | KO | 3 (6), 2:30 | 18 Feb 2000 | Aalborghallen, Aalborg, Denmark | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Sidney Mxoli Msutu | UD | 6 | 14 Jan 2000 | Koldinghallerne, Kolding, Denmark | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Jean Paul D'Alessandro | UD | 6 | 4 May 1999 | Circus Building, Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Jose Maquina Rojas | KO | 2 (6), 2:10 | 16 Apr 1999 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Alejandro De Leon | UD | 6 | 19 Mar 1999 | Falkoner Center, Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Jaime Balboa | KO | 6 (6), 2:13 | 12 Feb 1999 | Falkoner Center, Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Dean Martin | UD | 6 | 27 Nov 1998 | Vejlby-Risskov Hallen, Aarhus, Denmark | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Anthony Ivory | UD | 6 | 6 Nov 1998 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Edwin Murillo | KO | 2 (6), 2:34 | 16 Oct 1998 | Aalborghallen, Aalborg, Denmark | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Sammy Sparkman | KO | 1 (4), 2:54 | 18 Sep 1998 | Sundbyøster Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Terry Clark | KO | 1 (4), 2:35 | 4 Sep 1998 | Koldinghallerne, Kolding, Denmark | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Rick Stockton | KO | 1 (4), 2:16 | 5 Jun 1998 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Alex Lubo | UD | 4 | 1 May 1998 | Kolding Teater, Kolding, Denmark | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Michael Corleone | TKO | 3 (4), 2:40 | 3 Apr 1998 | Holbæk Stadion, Holbæk, Denmark | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Kelly Mays | KO | 1 (4), 1:09 | 20 Mar 1998 | Vejlby-Risskov Hallen, Aarhus, Denmark |
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ "European Cadet Championships 1995". Amateur-boxing.strefa.pl. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
- ^ team palle amateur record bottom page
- ^ scroll through Nordic Champions at bottom page Archived 14 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Calzaghe v Kessler as it happened
- ^ "Sartison-Bozic for WBA Super Middleweight title". WBA. 3 November 2009. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
- ^ Thor Carlskov (25 April 2010). "Mikkel Kessler vandt en klassiker". Ekstra Bladet. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Ricardo Conde (30 June 2010). "Q&A: Andre Ward". Fightnews.com. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
- ^ "Kessler out of Super Six". Fightnews.com. 25 August 2010. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
- ^ "Carl Froch gains revenge on Mikkel Kessler in gripping title fight". TheGuardian.com. 25 May 2013.
- ^ "Kessler announces retirement on Social Meia". BleacherReport. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
- ^ "Mikkel Kessler: Former world champion to return four years after last fight". BBC Sport. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ^ "Mikkel Kessler To Be Part of The World Boxing Super Series - Boxing News". boxingscene.com. 21 June 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ^ "Mikkel Kessler to Pass on WBSS Wild Card, Eyes Fall Ring Return". 22 June 2017.
- ^ "Mikkel Kessler vs. Roamer Angulo Nears for November 11". 5 September 2017.
- ^ "Kessler's comeback on hold due to tick bite". 16 October 2017.
- ^ "Mikkel Kessler Rules Out Comeback Plans, Will Remain Retired". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
External links
edit- Official website
- Boxing record for Mikkel Kessler from BoxRec (registration required)
- Mikkel Kessler Fight-by-Fight Career Record Archived 1 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine
| 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 2012 – 26 May 2013 Lost bid for Unified title |
Vacant Title next held by Fedor Chudinov
| ||