Boxing News Boxing News
© Tom Casino / Showtime Boxing
The Super Six Tournament finally produced a thrilling clash as Mikkel Kessler dethroned super middle titlist WBC Carl Froch last night at MCH Center in Herning, Denmark.
Despite coming off a WBA title loss to Andre Ward in his most recent outing, Kessler came into the bout confident and that mindset carried him through the early rounds as the local man focused effectively on the midsection of the reigning WBC beltholder.
Froch managed to wrest control of the bout during the middle frames, however, landing hard right hands but the visiting Englishman couldn’t maintain his supremacy and by the eighth, Kessler was once again in the driver’s seat.
The Dane made the most of his hand-speed advantage and straighter punches, banging Froch with big shots but had to absorb more than a few in return from the WBC champ.
The final three rounds were all-action as both combatants left defense behind in hopes of producing a knock out. None was forthcoming but fireworks were in great supply through the final dramatic stanza.
Kessler won a unanimous decision, sweeping the judge’s cards by marks of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113, regaining the WBC title while improving to 43-2 (32).
Froch suffers the first defeat of his professional career, slipping to 26-1 (20), after close calls in his previous two bouts.
For their next appearances in the Super Six Tournament, Kessler will face Allan Green while Froch squares off with Arthur Abraham.
The undercard saw a good contest between undefeated light middleweights as Koko Murat, 11-0-2 (4), edged out Nick Klappert, 12-1 (8), by majority decision after eight hard rounds.
German middleweight prospect Thomas Troelenberg, 21-0 (10), was tested by seasoned Italian Elio Cotena, 15-5-5 (3), pulling out a six round split decision.
