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 |  Carl Froch |
UD | 12 | 25 May 2013 | 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 | Brian Magee |
TKO | 3 (12), 0:20 | 8 December 2012 |  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 |  Allan Green |
KO | 4 (12), 0:17 | 19 May 2012 | Parken Stadium, Copenhagen |
Won vacant WBC Silver Light Heavyweight title. |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 44–2 |  Mehdi Bouadla |
TKO | 6 (12), 2:25 | 4 June 2011 | 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 | Carl Froch |
UD | 12 | 24 April 2010 | 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 | Andre Ward |
TD | 11 (12) | 21 November 2009 | 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 |  Gusmyr Perdomo |
TKO | 4 (12), 0:51 | 12 September 2009 | 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 |  Danilo Haussler |
KO | 3 (12), 1:08 | 25 October 2008 | 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 | Dimitri Sartison |
KO | 12 (12), 2:00 | 21 June 2008 | 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 | Joe Calzaghe |
UD | 12 | 3 November 2007 | 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 |  Librado Andrade |
UD | 12 | 24 March 2007 | 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 | Markus Beyer |
KO | 3 (12), 2:58 | 14 October 2006 | 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 |  Eric Lucas |
TKO | 10 (12), 1:51 | 14 January 2006 | 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 |  Anthony Mundine |
UD | 12 | 8 June 2005 | 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 |  Manny Siaca |
RTD | 7 (12), 3:00 | 12 November 2004 | 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 |  Andre Thysse |
TKO | 11 (12), 1:32 | 11 June 2004 | 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 |  Julio Cesar Green |
KO | 1 (12), 1:20 | 13 March 2004 | 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 |  Henry Porras |
TKO | 9 (12), 2:46 | 24 October 2003 | 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 | Craig Cummings |
KO | 3 (12), 1:09 | 11 April 2003 | 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" |Win | 30–0 | Dingaan Thobela |
UD | 12 | 29 November 2002 | Falconer Centret, Copenhagen | |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 29–0 | Dean Williams |
KO | 1 (8), 1:58 | 8 November 2002 | Falconer Centret, Copenhagen |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 28–0 |  Gerard Zdziarski |
TKO | 8 (8), 2:33 | 4 October 2002 | Holbæk Stadion, Holbæk |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 27–0 |  Orlando Javier Acuna |
TKO | 7 (8), 0:10 | 24 May 2002 | Aalborg Kongres & Kulturcenter, Aalborg |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 26–0 | Arthur Allen |
TKO | 6 (8), 0:52 | 15 March 2002 | Viborg Stadionhal, Viborg |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 25–0 | Manny Sobral |
TKO | 5 (8), 0:10 | 8 February 2002 | Falconer Centret, Copenhagen |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 24–0 | Fernando Hernández |
TKO | 2 (8), 1:30 | 16 November 2001 | Roskilde Hallerne, Roskilde |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 23–0 | David Mendez |
UD | 6 | 13 October 2001 | Parken Stadium, Copenhagen |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 22–0 | Rodrigues Moungo |
KO | 4 (6), 1:09 | 27 April 2001 | Aalborg Hallen, Aalborg |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 21–0 |  Miguel Julio |
KO | 3 (6), 0:30 | 9 March 2001 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 20–0 |  Patrick Rubes |
KO | 2 (6), 0:45 | 9 February 2001 | Odense Idraetshal, Odense |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 19–0 | Tony Menefee |
TKO | 6 (6), 1:36 | 1 September 2000 | Kolding Hallen, Kolding |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 18–0 | Kevin Hall |
KO | 2 (6), 2:41 | 28 April 2000 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 17–0 | Tom Younan |
KO | 3 (6), 1:35 | 31 March 2000 | Esbjerg Stadionhal, Esbjerg |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 16–0 | Israel Ponce |
KO | 2 (6), 2:59 | 4 March 2000 | Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 15–0 |  Charles Whittaker |
KO | 3 (6), 2:30 | 18 February 2000 | Aalborg Hallen, Aalborg |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 14–0 | Sidney Mxoli Msutu |
UD | 6 | 14 January 2000 | Kolding Hallen, Kolding |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 13–0 | Jean Paul D'Alessandro |
UD | 6 | 4 May 1999 | Cirkusbygningen, Copenhagen |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 12–0 | Jose Maquina Rojas |
KO | 2 (6), 2:10 | 16 April 1999 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 11–0 | Alejandro De Leon |
UD | 6 | 19 March 1999 | Falconer Centret, Copenhagen |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 10–0 | Jaime Balboa |
KO | 6 (6), 2:13 | 12 February 1999 | Falconer Centret, Copenhagen |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 9–0 | Dean Martin |
UD | 6 | 27 November 1998 | Vejlby-Risskov Hallen, Aarhus |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 8–0 | Anthony Ivory |
UD | 6 | 6 November 1998 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 7–0 |  Edwin Murillo |
KO | 2 (6), 2:34 | 16 October 1998 | Aalborg Hallen, Aalborg |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 6–0 | Sammy Sparkman |
KO | 1 (4), 1:54 | 18 September 1998 | Sundbyoster Hallen, Copenhagen |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 5–0 | Terry Clark |
KO | 1 (4), 2:35 | 4 September 1998 | Kolding Hallen, Kolding |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 4–0 | Rick Stockton |
KO | 1 (4), 2:16 | 5 June 1998 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 3–0 | Alex Lubo |
UD | 4 | 1 May 1998 | Kolding Teater, Kolding |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 2–0 | Michael Corleone |
TKO | 3 (4), 2:40 | 3 April 1998 | Holbæk Stadion, Holbæk |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 1–0 | Kelly Mays |
KO | 1 (4), 1:09 | 20 March 1998 | Vejlby-Risskov Hallen, Aarhus |
Professional debut. |
Titles in boxing
Major World Titles:
- WBA Super Middleweight Champion (168 lbs)
- WBC Super Middleweight Champion (168 lbs)
- (2) WBA Super Middleweight Champion (168 lbs)
- (2) WBC Super Middleweight Champion (168 lbs)
Minor World Titles:
- IBA Super Middleweight Champion (168 lbs)
Regional/International Titles:
- WBC International Super Middleweight Champion (168 lbs)
- WBO European Super Middleweight Champion (168 lbs)
Special Titles:
See also
References
- ↑ Gareth A Davies (1 November 2007). "Mikkel Kessler displays his warrior spirit". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2012-12-10.
- ↑ "European Cadet Championships 1995". Amateur-boxing.strefa.pl. Retrieved 2012-12-10.
- ↑ team palle amateur record bottom page
- ↑ scroll through Nordic Champions at bottom page
- ↑ Calzaghe v Kessler as it happened
- ↑ "Sartison-Bozic for WBA Super Middleweight title". wbanews.com. 3 November 2009. Retrieved 2012-12-10.
- ↑ Thor Carlskov (25 April 2010). "Mikkel Kessler vandt en klassiker". Ekstra Bladet. Retrieved 2012-12-10.
- ↑ Ricardo Conde (2010-06-30). "Q&A: Andre Ward". Fightnews.com. Retrieved 2012-12-10.
- ↑ "Kessler out of Super Six". Fightnews.com. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 2012-12-10.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Kessler announces retirement on Social Meia". BleacherReport. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
- ↑ Professional boxing record for Mikkel Kessler from BoxRec. Retrieved 2012-12-10.
External links
- Mikkel Kessler Fight-by-Fight Career Record
- Professional boxing record for Mikkel Kessler from BoxRec
- Mikkel Kessler – The Viking Warrior official page
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Manny Siaca |
WBA Super Middleweight Champion 12 November 2004 – 14 October 2006 Promoted |
Vacant Title next held by Anthony Mundineas 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 Sartisonas 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 |
|