Mikkel Kessler

Mikkel Kessler

Mikkel Kessler in 2010
Statistics
Real name Mikkel Kessler
Nickname(s) Viking Warrior
Hitman
Simply the Best
Rated at Light Middleweight
Middleweight
Super Middleweight
Light Heavyweight
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Reach 74 in (188 cm)
Nationality Danish
Born 1 March 1979
Copenhagen, Denmark
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 49
Wins 46
Wins by KO 35
Losses 3
Draws 0
No contests 0

Mikkel Kessler (born 1 March 1979) is a retired Danish professional boxer. In his professional career, he has a record of 46–3 with 35 wins by knockout.

Kessler is a four-time super middleweight world champion, having won the WBA title three times, unifying the WBA and WBC titles and winning the WBC title again.

Early life

Kessler was born to a Danish father of German origin, 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

Kessler originally campaigned as a light middleweight and then middleweight for the first 22 fights of his career. He won 16 of his first 22 fights by knockout (KO).

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 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, 10KOs) 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. 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. Many observers were disappointed with Kessler's performance against Ward, the ways in which he was exposed in his defence, movement and the ability to fight on the inside were evident in the fight. Questions arose about his retirement from boxing after the loss. However, Kessler wanted to prove his worth with a huge test against Carl Froch, then the current WBC Champion.

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.

Andre Ward later praised Kessler tremendously in an interview with fightnews.com, 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."[8]

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.[9]

Kessler vs. Bouadla

Mikkel Kessler suddenly announced his comeback, and fought against Mehdi Bouadla and scored victory by TKO. Mikkel claimed that if he had lost this fight he would retire. He was scheduled to fight against Robert Stieglitz in Copenhagen, Denmark at Parken Stadium, but the fight was cancelled due to a hand injury Kessler sustained in training.

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.

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 allover, 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.[10]

Retirement

On 1 February 2015, Kessler announced that he was in a "state of retirement" via social media.[11]

Other

The first single from Danish heavy metal band Volbeat's fourth album, "A Warrior's Call", is dedicated to Mikkel Kessler, mentioning him by name in the lyrics, "The Viking warrior Mikkel Kessler." Kessler also provided vocals for the line "fight, fight, fight, fight," in the song, as revealed in the International EPK Video.

Kessler is sponsored by Jack&Jones clothing and can often be seen wearing the brand whilst training and as well on his underwear and shorts at weigh-ins and fights.

Kessler is the younger brother of the buxom adult model, actress and television personality Linse Kessler.

Professional boxing record

46 Wins (35 knockouts, 11 decisions), 3 Losses (0 knockouts, 3 decisions), 0 Draws[12]
Res. Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 46–3 United Kingdom Carl Froch UD 12 25 May 2013 United Kingdom O2 Arena, London, United Kingdom Lost WBA (Regular) Super Middleweight title.
For IBF Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 46–2 United Kingdom Brian Magee TKO 3 (12), 0:20 8 December 2012 Denmark BOXEN, Herning Won WBA (Regular) Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 45–2 United States Allan Green KO 4 (12), 0:17 19 May 2012 Denmark Parken Stadium, Copenhagen Won vacant WBC Silver Light Heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win44–2Algeria Mehdi Bouadla TKO6 (12), 2:254 June 2011 Denmark Parken Stadium, Copenhagen Won vacant WBO European Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 43–2 United Kingdom Carl Froch UD 12 24 April 2010 Denmark MCH Messecenter Herning, Herning Won WBC Super Middleweight title.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 42–2 United States Andre Ward TD 11 (12) 21 November 2009 United States Oracle Arena, Oakland, California Lost WBA Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 42–1 Venezuela Gusmyr Perdomo TKO 4 (12), 0:51 12 September 2009 Denmark MCH Messecenter Herning, Herning Retained WBA Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 41–1 Germany Danilo Haussler KO 3 (12), 1:08 25 October 2008 Germany Weser-Ems-Halle, Oldenburg, Niedersachsen Retained WBA Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 40–1 Germany Dimitri Sartison KO 12 (12), 2:00 21 June 2008 Denmark Brøndby Hall, Copenhagen Won vacant WBA Super Middleweight title.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 39–1 United Kingdom Joe Calzaghe UD 12 3 November 2007 United Kingdom Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Lost WBA & WBC Super Middleweight titles.
For WBO & The Ring Super Middleweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 39–0 Mexico Librado Andrade UD 12 24 March 2007 Denmark Parken Stadium, Copenhagen Retained WBA & WBC Super Middleweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 38–0 Germany Markus Beyer KO 3 (12), 2:58 14 October 2006 Denmark Parken Stadium, Copenhagen Retained WBA & won WBC Super Middleweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 37–0 Canada Eric Lucas TKO 10 (12), 1:51 14 January 2006 Denmark Brøndby Hall, Copenhagen Retained WBA Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 36–0 Australia Anthony Mundine UD 12 8 June 2005 Australia Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney Retained WBA Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 35–0 Puerto Rico Manny Siaca RTD 7 (12), 3:00 12 November 2004 Denmark Brøndby Hall, Copenhagen Won WBA Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 34–0 South Africa Andre Thysse TKO 11 (12), 1:32 11 June 2004 Denmark K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen Retained WBC International Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 33–0 Dominican Republic Julio Cesar Green KO1 (12), 1:20 13 March 2004 Denmark Brøndby Hall, Copenhagen Retained WBC International Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 32–0 Costa Rica Henry Porras TKO 9 (12), 2:46 24 October 2003 Denmark K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen Retained WBC International Super Middleweight title.
Eliminator for WBC Super Middleweight Title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 31–0 United States Craig Cummings KO 3 (12), 1:09 11 April 2003 Denmark K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen Won vacant WBC International Super Middleweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win30–0South Africa Dingaan Thobela UD 12 29 November 2002 Denmark Falconer Centret, Copenhagen
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win29–0United States Dean Williams KO 1 (8), 1:58 8 November 2002 Denmark Falconer Centret, Copenhagen
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win28–0 Poland Gerard Zdziarski TKO 8 (8), 2:33 4 October 2002 Denmark Holbæk Stadion, Holbæk
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win27–0 Argentina Orlando Javier Acuna TKO 7 (8), 0:10 24 May 2002 Denmark Aalborg Kongres & Kulturcenter, Aalborg
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win26–0 United States Arthur Allen TKO 6 (8), 0:52 15 March 2002 Denmark Viborg Stadionhal, Viborg
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win25–0 Canada Manny Sobral TKO 5 (8), 0:10 8 February 2002 Denmark Falconer Centret, Copenhagen
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win24–0 United States Fernando Hernández TKO 2 (8), 1:30 16 November 2001 Denmark Roskilde Hallerne, Roskilde
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win23–0 Mexico David Mendez UD 6 13 October 2001 Denmark Parken Stadium, Copenhagen
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win22–0 United States Rodrigues Moungo KO 4 (6), 1:09 27 April 2001 Denmark Aalborg Hallen, Aalborg
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win21–0 Colombia Miguel Julio KO 3 (6), 0:30 9 March 2001 Denmark K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win20–0 France Patrick Rubes KO 2 (6), 0:45 9 February 2001 Denmark Odense Idraetshal, Odense
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win19–0 United States Tony Menefee TKO 6 (6), 1:36 1 September 2000 Denmark Kolding Hallen, Kolding
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win18–0 United States Kevin Hall KO 2 (6), 2:41 28 April 2000 Denmark K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win17–0 United States Tom Younan KO 3 (6), 1:35 31 March 2000 Denmark Esbjerg Stadionhal, Esbjerg
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win16–0 Puerto Rico Israel Ponce KO 2 (6), 2:59 4 March 2000 United States Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win15–0 Cayman Islands Charles Whittaker KO 3 (6), 2:30 18 February 2000 Denmark Aalborg Hallen, Aalborg
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win14–0 South Africa Sidney Mxoli Msutu UD 6 14 January 2000 Denmark Kolding Hallen, Kolding
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win13–0 France Jean Paul D'Alessandro UD 6 4 May 1999 Denmark Cirkusbygningen, Copenhagen
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win12–0 Dominican Republic Jose Maquina Rojas KO 2 (6), 2:10 16 April 1999 Denmark K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win11–0 Dominican Republic Alejandro De Leon UD 6 19 March 1999 Denmark Falconer Centret, Copenhagen
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win10–0 Mexico Jaime Balboa KO 6 (6), 2:13 12 February 1999 Denmark Falconer Centret, Copenhagen
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win9–0 South Africa Dean Martin UD 6 27 November 1998 Denmark Vejlby-Risskov Hallen, Aarhus
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win8–0 United States Anthony Ivory UD 6 6 November 1998 Denmark K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win7–0 Panama Edwin Murillo KO 2 (6), 2:34 16 October 1998 Denmark Aalborg Hallen, Aalborg
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win6–0 United States Sammy Sparkman KO 1 (4), 1:54 18 September 1998 Denmark Sundbyoster Hallen, Copenhagen
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win5–0 United States Terry Clark KO 1 (4), 2:35 4 September 1998 Denmark Kolding Hallen, Kolding
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win4–0 United States Rick Stockton KO 1 (4), 2:16 5 June 1998 Denmark K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win3–0 Colombia Alex Lubo UD 4 1 May 1998 Denmark Kolding Teater, Kolding
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win2–0 United States Michael Corleone TKO 3 (4), 2:40 3 April 1998 Denmark Holbæk Stadion, Holbæk
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win1–0 United States Kelly Mays KO 1 (4), 1:09 20 March 1998 Denmark Vejlby-Risskov Hallen, Aarhus Professional debut.

Titles in boxing

Major World Titles:

Minor World Titles:

Regional/International Titles:

Special Titles:

See also

References

  1. Gareth A Davies (1 November 2007). "Mikkel Kessler displays his warrior spirit". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2012-12-10.
  2. "European Cadet Championships 1995". Amateur-boxing.strefa.pl. Retrieved 2012-12-10.
  3. team palle amateur record bottom page
  4. scroll through Nordic Champions at bottom page
  5. Calzaghe v Kessler as it happened
  6. "Sartison-Bozic for WBA Super Middleweight title". wbanews.com. 3 November 2009. Retrieved 2012-12-10.
  7. Thor Carlskov (25 April 2010). "Mikkel Kessler vandt en klassiker". Ekstra Bladet. Retrieved 2012-12-10.
  8. Ricardo Conde (2010-06-30). "Q&A: Andre Ward". Fightnews.com. Retrieved 2012-12-10.
  9. "Kessler out of Super Six". Fightnews.com. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 2012-12-10.
  10. "Froch beats Kessler in thriller at the O2 Arena as Cobra avenges defeat to Dane with points victory in unification battle". Daily Mail. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  11. "Kessler announces retirement on Social Meia". BleacherReport. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  12. Professional boxing record for Mikkel Kessler from BoxRec. Retrieved 2012-12-10.

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Manny Siaca
WBA Super Middleweight Champion
12 November 2004 – 14 October 2006
Promoted
Vacant
Title next held by
Anthony Mundine
as Regular Champion
Vacant
Title last held by
Sven Ottke
WBA Super Middleweight Champion
Super Champion

14 October 2006 – 4 November 2007
Succeeded by
Joe Calzaghe
Preceded by
Markus Beyer
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
Promoted
Regular title until 21 October 2008
Vacant
Title next held by
Dimitri Sartison
as Regular Champion
Vacant
Title last held by
Joe Calzaghe
WBA Super Middleweight Champion
Super Champion

3 – 21 November 2009
Succeeded by
Andre Ward
Preceded by
Carl Froch
WBC Super Middleweight Champion
24 April 2010 – 7 September 2010
Status changed: Emeritus Champion
Vacant
Title next held by
Carl Froch
Preceded by
Brian Magee
WBA Super Middleweight Champion
Regular Title

8 December 2012 – 26 May 2013
Lost bid for unified title
Succeeded by
Carl Froch
as Unified Champion