Mikkel Kessler

Mikkel Kessler
Kessler in 2010
Statistics
Nickname(s)	Viking Warrior
Rated at	Super-middleweight Light-heavyweight
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Reach	188 cm (74 in)
Nationality	Danish
Born	(1979-03-01) 1 March 1979 Copenhagen, Denmark
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	49
Wins	46
Wins by KO	35
Losses	3

Mikkel Kessler (born 1 March 1979) is a Danish former professional boxer who competed from 1998 to 2013. He is a four-time super-middleweight world champion, having held the WBA title three times between 2004 and 2013, and the WBC title twice, from 2006 to 2007, and in 2010.

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

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, 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.

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,after getting dropped by a hard right hand in the first 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 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.^[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 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 was often seen wearing the brand while training and as well on his underwear and shorts at weigh-ins and fights.

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

Professional boxing record

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 Arena, Herning, Denmark	Won WBC super-middleweight title
44	Loss	42–2	Andre Ward	TD	11 (12), 1:42	21 Nov 2009	Oracle Arena, Oakland, US	Lost WBA super-middleweight title; For vacant (WBA Super) super-middleweight title; Unanimous TD after Kessler sustained cuts from accidental head clashes
43	Win	42–1	Gusmyr Perdomo	TKO	4 (12), 0:51	12 Sep 2009	MCH Arena, 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 super-middleweight title
40	Loss	39–1	Joe Calzaghe	UD	12	3 Nov 2007	Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales	Lost WBA (Super) and WBC super-middleweight titles; For WBO, The Ring, and lineal super-middleweight titles
39	Win	39–0	Librado Andrade	UD	12	24 Mar 2007	Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark	Retained WBA (Super) and WBC super-middleweight titles
38	Win	38–0	Markus Beyer	KO	3 (12), 2:58	14 Oct 2006	Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark	Won vacant WBA (Super) 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	Professional debut

Titles in boxing

References

External links

• Official website
• Professional boxing record for Mikkel Kessler from BoxRec
• Mikkel Kessler Fight-by-Fight Career Record