Mikkel Kessler Named Mandatory Official Challenger For WBA Super Middleweight Title!

Press Release
Team Palle
4/1/2008

Former WBA and WBC super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler, whose only loss in 40 pro bouts was a close decision at the hands of undefeated Joe Calzaghe, now knows what will be at stake in his next fight.

The WBA announced Tuesday that it has designated the Danish fighter as the “official challenger” for its super middleweight title, an honor now held by controversial Australian Anthony “The Man” Mundine. Kessler won the WBA crown by stopping Manny Siaca Jr., and, in his first title defense, went Down Under to unanimously outpoint Mundine in Sydney.

“Mundine is a very tough customer,” Kessler said. “He comes to fight and I respect that. I look forward to another rugged match against him now. I think it’s fair to say he’s a fellow who keeps improving which is understandable since he switched to boxing after being a big star in Australian Rules football. He’s not the type to run away from a challenge.”

Kessler, who turned 29 on March 1, has not fought since his November 4 bout against in Wales against Calzaghe drew more than 50,000 fans. Kessler went into that mega bout with a broken right hand which has since been completely repaired by surgery. It was the 21st successful title defense for Calzaghe who is boxing's longest-reigning champion.

Kessler, who has knocked out 29 of his foes, has a record of 5-1 in world title bouts, having also beaten Eric Lucas, Markus Beyer and Librado Andrade. Kessler knocked out Beyer to win the WBC version title and then made a mandatory defense against Andrade.

“I am more than ready to get back into the ring and to what I do best,” Kessler said. “I asked my management team to seek out a world title opportunity. Now it is up to me to take a world championship belt. I don’t plan on stopping at one but I will take each fight as it comes. I believe I am the world’s best at 168 pounds and I would be thrilled to fight Joe once again. But he has business with Bernard Hopkins and I must focus on my next step which is competing for the WBA belt.

“I would like to thank Bettina and Mogens Palle and agent Michael Marley. I sent them on a mission, to get me a title chance, and now I’ve got it. I must, of course, also thank Executive Director Gilberto J. Mendoza Jr. and the entire WBA leadership for their careful consideration of my application to be the Number One, mandatory challenger. I had confidence in my team and they delivered the goods.”

Mogens Palle, one of Europe’s leading promoters over 50 years, will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in Canastota, New York, on June 7.