Mikkel Kessler Named Mandatory Official Challenger For WBA Super Middleweight Title

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.

I love how the story never mentions that Joe C. is also WBA super middleweight champ and that Mundine actually holds the ultra bogus "regular" title.

The WBA has become the biggest joke of all the alphabet gangs. Although the WBC still retains its titles as most corrupt.

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Originally Posted by lance Uppercut

I love how the story never mentions that Joe C. is also WBA super middleweight champ and that Mundine actually holds the ultra bogus "regular" title.

The WBA has become the biggest joke of all the alphabet gangs. Although the WBC still retains its titles as most corrupt.

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Gotta grab that fake alphabet title!hehe It is almost like those belts are a security blanket. So much for making a name for himself in the U.S. I guess treading into his old footsteps is the favored route for him.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Diane

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

Press Release
Team Palle
4/1/2008

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.

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So Kessler lied to me? :eek:

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Originally Posted by liquid

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Diane

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

Press Release
Team Palle
4/1/2008

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.

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So Kessler lied to me? :eek:

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I have to admit I am a bit disappointed in Kessler and his team for coming out with that after the fight...I am a Kessler fan but he got beat plain and simple...It was a good figt one I would not mind seeing again but fact is he lost...Maybe the hand was broken maybe not I will not make assumptions but why after the fight does this come out?....I thought Kessler was classier then that...

I am still a fan and IMO he will beat Mundine but he lost a peg in my book for the hand crap

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Originally Posted by Deanrw

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lance Uppercut

I love how the story never mentions that Joe C. is also WBA super middleweight champ and that Mundine actually holds the ultra bogus "regular" title.

The WBA has become the biggest joke of all the alphabet gangs. Although the WBC still retains its titles as most corrupt.

---

Gotta grab that fake alphabet title!hehe It is almost like those belts are a security blanket. So much for making a name for himself in the U.S. I guess treading into his old footsteps is the favored route for him.

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Kessler (and Palle) seemingly has the conviction that the alphabelt titles matters more than being on US tv. At least that's the impression they've always given in interviews, so there is not really anything new to this.

Are they correct in their conviction? Probably not. However, being European and all the legacy here isnt really defined by appearing on HBO or Showtime. They'll probably make more money by going the tay-at-home and/or go-after-belts way as well. This is true for Mundine as well - and Mundine-Kessler will generate more money for both fighters set in Australia or Denmark than Miranda-Kessler would anywhere in the world.

And as I've stated here before, there is a very good shot that the title will be 'upgraded' in due time, and there is a decent shot that this fight will actually be for The Ring title as well. In that case Kessler will become the first ever Danish Ring Champ - and no matter what the US fans say, I would be one happy camper with that!

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Originally Posted by DaxxKahn

Quote:

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Originally Posted by liquid

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Diane

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

Press Release
Team Palle
4/1/2008

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.

---

So Kessler lied to me? :eek:

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I have to admit I am a bit disappointed in Kessler and his team for coming out with that after the fight...I am a Kessler fan but he got beat plain and simple...It was a good figt one I would not mind seeing again but fact is he lost...Maybe the hand was broken maybe not I will not make assumptions but why after the fight does this come out?....I thought Kessler was classier then that...

I am still a fan and IMO he will beat Mundine but he lost a peg in my book for the hand crap

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i kinda know what you mean; but IF IF there was a hand problem coming into it, its hard for a fighter not to bring it up tho, lossing must really fucking hurt and you look for any excuse so you don;t have to admit to your self you are seconed best.

Well there is nothing new about Kessler had a hand injury before the fight against Calzaghe, but as Kessler said afterwards it did not effekt him during the fight, so I guess it total bull that it was broken ;).

Anyway I came to saddoboxing as a Kessler fan and im still one, I truly believe that Mundine is a bigger challence than Miranda, but in all fairness I hope Kessler will give one vountarary defense against Miranda instead of a no name, when he graps the bogus title from Mundine.

Looking forward to this fight.

And before I truly believe this I need 2 c this confirmed as this is Aprils fools day :)

It might be a "bogus title" now, but if joe stays at LHW or retires then it will be the only and main WBA title for SMW

kessler will beat mundine again

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Originally Posted by Preme

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DaxxKahn

Quote:

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Originally Posted by liquid

So Kessler lied to me? :eek:

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I have to admit I am a bit disappointed in Kessler and his team for coming out with that after the fight...I am a Kessler fan but he got beat plain and simple...It was a good figt one I would not mind seeing again but fact is he lost...Maybe the hand was broken maybe not I will not make assumptions but why after the fight does this come out?....I thought Kessler was classier then that...

I am still a fan and IMO he will beat Mundine but he lost a peg in my book for the hand crap

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i kinda know what you mean; but IF IF there was a hand problem coming into it, its hard for a fighter not to bring it up tho, lossing must really fucking hurt and you look for any excuse so you don;t have to admit to your self you are seconed best.

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I am still a fan of Kessler don't get me wrong just a little disappointed that after the loss it became a bit more brought up the originally....

Kessler went out like a bitch when he pulled out against Miranda

Kessler after the Calzaghe fight stated clearly that the hand had not hindered him in the fight. For his team to come out and publicise it is ridiculous.

Kessler has gone down a bit in my estimations with one or two comments he said after the fight.
Before the fight he came across as a bit of a throwback and a real fan`s fighter. Unfortunately, since the fight he has started to come out with typical primadonna fighter bollocks, but there is still plenty of time for him to redeem himself.

There was talk he was pulling out of the Miranda fight as he was going to be positioned in a contender spot for the WBA Light-Heavyweight title vacated by Danny Green. I'd have understood more if he'd moved up as he'd be trying to force a rematch with Joe or some other big money fights around. Fighting Mundine again is pointless IMO.

what a shame.........."THE VIKING WARRIOR" eh.............
i thought he was solid and he would overcome obstacles but reading and hearing this makes me upset. A TRUE fighter/boxer returns to where they left off. We all know that the lost against JOE was hard for him but that's boxing. Let that fly by cause he didn't get knocked out so he should of taken the fight against MIRANDA and who know he could of won or lost doesn't matter but the fact is he would of left off fighting at the top level where he was at. Disappointing, and if that's his way of getting a belt that bad............SOOO SAD!!!

IMO i liked KESS and still do but he dropped a notch.

So i bid you all a pint and CHEERS!!!!!!

Boxing News -- Fightnews.com : EkpZEyFVkFEWVXyMUE

Mundine defense threatened!
Mundine-Soliman III not sanctioned
Mikkel Kessler promoter Mogens Palle said Wednesday that he has checked with the World Boxing Association and has been informed that a May 28 super middleweight title defense by Anthony Mundine against Sam Soliman has not been approved. Mundine has announced the third bout against Soliman is set for the Vodafone Arena in Melbourne, Australia. Palle said the WBA had not even been asked to authorize Mundine-Soliman III. "Mundine won a vacant title in March 2007 and has now gone 13 months without making a required mandatory defense. We have asserted our rights and told the WBA we're ready to make Kessler-Mundine II a reality in the end of May or the start of June....I would hope Mundine would prefer to try Kessler again rather than having his world title stripped for not complying with WBA rules. He does refer to himself as 'The Man' so I would really hope so. It is a WBA world title and is not limited to a WBA Australian title." Former champion Kessler, now the WBA mandatory challenger, previously outpointed Mundine in June 2005.
Wednesday, April 2 2008

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Originally Posted by mickeyluvsu

what a shame.........."THE VIKING WARRIOR" eh.............
i thought he was solid and he would overcome obstacles but reading and hearing this makes me upset. A TRUE fighter/boxer returns to where they left off. We all know that the lost against JOE was hard for him but that's boxing. Let that fly by cause he didn't get knocked out so he should of taken the fight against MIRANDA and who know he could of won or lost doesn't matter but the fact is he would of left off fighting at the top level where he was at. Disappointing, and if that's his way of getting a belt that bad............SOOO SAD!!!

IMO i liked KESS and still do but he dropped a notch.

So i bid you all a pint and CHEERS!!!!!!

---

You make it sound like Kessler is dodging Miranda in order to fight Manfredo or something.

The reality is that he is trying to secure a fight against a fighter who is undefeated for 3 years and ranked #2 in the division by The Ring, and that Kessler is likely to go to that fighter's backyard (again).

The Miranda-fight might have been more entertaining, but Kessler is hardly a chicken here. In fact you could easily make the point that he is indeed trying to return to where he left off, and more so than if he had fought Miranda for the exposure.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mickeyluvsu

what a shame.........."THE VIKING WARRIOR" eh.............
i thought he was solid and he would overcome obstacles but reading and hearing this makes me upset. A TRUE fighter/boxer returns to where they left off. We all know that the lost against JOE was hard for him but that's boxing. Let that fly by cause he didn't get knocked out so he should of taken the fight against MIRANDA and who know he could of won or lost doesn't matter but the fact is he would of left off fighting at the top level where he was at. Disappointing, and if that's his way of getting a belt that bad............SOOO SAD!!!

IMO i liked KESS and still do but he dropped a notch.

So i bid you all a pint and CHEERS!!!!!!

---

You do realize he's fighting Mundine?
Like the other guy said (Mikkel K) it's not like he's fighting Peter Manfredo or Vitaly Tsypko.
Mundines a prominent name and he's shown time and time again that he's come along ways.

In the event whichever fight he makes I'm sure it'll be a worthy opponent.

I have to agree with Mikkel K and Cutmemick. Anyone who thinks Miranda is a bigger threat than Mundine either hasnt seen these guys fight or lnows little of boxing.
Kessler is taking a much harder fight if he goes to Oz to fight Mundine than if he went to the US to fight Miranda.

He'll make a shitload more money too. I bet he makes 1.5 millio Euros in Australia v Mundine in front of a 15,000 plus crowd.
Miranda fight was for 400,000 Euros and the crowd would be nowhere near as big.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eagle

I have to agree with Mikkel K and Cutmemick. Anyone who thinks Miranda is a bigger threat than Mundine either hasnt seen these guys fight or lnows little of boxing.
Kessler is taking a much harder fight if he goes to Oz to fight Mundine than if he went to the US to fight Miranda.

He'll make a shitload more money too. I bet he makes 1.5 millio Euros in Australia v Mundine in front of a 15,000 plus crowd.
Miranda fight was for 400,000 Euros and the crowd would be nowhere near as big.

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eagle,
I think (And I'm sure those of you who are complaining will agree) what makes this look bad and or stands out more is:

1. Mirandas big mouth
2. The Press coverage it gets
3. Kess accepted the fight
4. Kess stepped out of the fight

and I can see that but what has to be understood here is that neither guy is let down fight. Both are interesting fights.

I would also love to see those who feel Miranda is a tougher fight then Mundine and I'd like to read why they feel that way.

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Originally Posted by CutMeMick

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eagle

I have to agree with Mikkel K and Cutmemick. Anyone who thinks Miranda is a bigger threat than Mundine either hasnt seen these guys fight or lnows little of boxing.
Kessler is taking a much harder fight if he goes to Oz to fight Mundine than if he went to the US to fight Miranda.

He'll make a shitload more money too. I bet he makes 1.5 millio Euros in Australia v Mundine in front of a 15,000 plus crowd.
Miranda fight was for 400,000 Euros and the crowd would be nowhere near as big.

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eagle,
I think (And I'm sure those of you who are complaining will agree) what makes this look bad and or stands out more is:

1. Mirandas big mouth
2. The Press coverage it gets
3. Kess accepted the fight
4. Kess stepped out of the fight

and I can see that but what has to be understood here is that neither guy is let down fight. Both are interesting fights.

I would also love to see those who feel Miranda is a tougher fight then Mundine and I'd like to read why they feel that way.

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Not surprisingly I agree with both you and Eagle! :-X

However to adress your last point, I actually think Miranda could be considered a tougher fight, since Miranda brings something new to the table. Mundine (although not as good then, as he is now), Kessler has already dealt with. He knows he can take him - and how.

Miranda, while not exactly Zab Judah in the unpredictability-area, brings more of that uncertainty of the outcome that every great fight should have. And which we fans love when anticipating the upcoming fights.

Fuck yes! This will be a 30 minute drive from me if he fights Kessler where he was planning to schedule his fight with Soliman.
I still don't like Mundine, but he has improved 3 times over since his last fight with Kessler, and this fight will show whether he should be taken seriously..

Will be a great fight! I'm going to love seeing Kessler live..

;D

Happy new for me

At the end of the day Kessler is looking to get himself in to world title positions. With the world title will come world class opposition, I'm sure.
We cannot discredit Kessler this quickly. He threatened Calzaghe on several occasions, gave a highly respectable account of himself and gained Joe's respect.

Mundine, although no Calzaghe is still good opposition. Should Kessler beat him again and gain a strap, he will allow himself more leverage to bargain for bigger fights.
If Miranda so badly wants the Kessler fight, he should have no problem proving he's worthy with a win over more threatening competition than Banks.

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Originally Posted by Mikkel_K

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mickeyluvsu

what a shame.........."THE VIKING WARRIOR" eh.............
i thought he was solid and he would overcome obstacles but reading and hearing this makes me upset. A TRUE fighter/boxer returns to where they left off. We all know that the lost against JOE was hard for him but that's boxing. Let that fly by cause he didn't get knocked out so he should of taken the fight against MIRANDA and who know he could of won or lost doesn't matter but the fact is he would of left off fighting at the top level where he was at. Disappointing, and if that's his way of getting a belt that bad............SOOO SAD!!!

IMO i liked KESS and still do but he dropped a notch.

So i bid you all a pint and CHEERS!!!!!!

---

You make it sound like Kessler is dodging Miranda in order to fight Manfredo or something.

The reality is that he is trying to secure a fight against a fighter who is undefeated for 3 years and ranked #2 in the division by The Ring, and that Kessler is likely to go to that fighter's backyard (again).

The Miranda-fight might have been more entertaining, but Kessler is hardly a chicken here. In fact you could easily make the point that he is indeed trying to return to where he left off, and more so than if he had fought Miranda for the exposure.

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MY point is that a boxer/fighter should continue where they left off. Keep doing what they are capable of doing. He opted out a contract to go get a BELT.....hey whatever keeps his head up high but my point is that which ever fight happens to be on the line go for it that is part of boxing.

No disrespect to him or fans thats just my opinion!!

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Originally Posted by CutMeMick

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eagle

I have to agree with Mikkel K and Cutmemick. Anyone who thinks Miranda is a bigger threat than Mundine either hasnt seen these guys fight or lnows little of boxing.
Kessler is taking a much harder fight if he goes to Oz to fight Mundine than if he went to the US to fight Miranda.

He'll make a shitload more money too. I bet he makes 1.5 millio Euros in Australia v Mundine in front of a 15,000 plus crowd.
Miranda fight was for 400,000 Euros and the crowd would be nowhere near as big.

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eagle,
I think (And I'm sure those of you who are complaining will agree) what makes this look bad and or stands out more is:

1. Mirandas big mouth
2. The Press coverage it gets
3. Kess accepted the fight
4. Kess stepped out of the fight

and I can see that but what has to be understood here is that neither guy is let down fight. Both are interesting fights.

I would also love to see those who feel Miranda is a tougher fight then Mundine and I'd like to read why they feel that way.

---

I think that Kessler has failed to explain his reasoning for pulling out as left people to question if he is afraid of Miranda. He needs to come out and say "This was too good an oppertunity to turn down, but don't worry, you'll get yours after I get my belt back."

I'd respect that.

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Originally Posted by bzkfn

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CutMeMick

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eagle

I have to agree with Mikkel K and Cutmemick. Anyone who thinks Miranda is a bigger threat than Mundine either hasnt seen these guys fight or lnows little of boxing.
Kessler is taking a much harder fight if he goes to Oz to fight Mundine than if he went to the US to fight Miranda.

He'll make a shitload more money too. I bet he makes 1.5 millio Euros in Australia v Mundine in front of a 15,000 plus crowd.
Miranda fight was for 400,000 Euros and the crowd would be nowhere near as big.

---

eagle,
I think (And I'm sure those of you who are complaining will agree) what makes this look bad and or stands out more is:

1. Mirandas big mouth
2. The Press coverage it gets
3. Kess accepted the fight
4. Kess stepped out of the fight

and I can see that but what has to be understood here is that neither guy is let down fight. Both are interesting fights.

I would also love to see those who feel Miranda is a tougher fight then Mundine and I'd like to read why they feel that way.

---

I think that Kessler has failed to explain his reasoning for pulling out as left people to question if he is afraid of Miranda. He needs to come out and say "This was too good an oppertunity to turn down, but don't worry, you'll get yours after I get my belt back."

I'd respect that.

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That's exactly it.. Kesslers press guys have played a couple of things pretty crappily lately, and they have to be insane to think that it doesn't tarnish the fighters image in some way...

I've said it before and I'll keep repeating it...

Regardless of how one might feel about the boxer, I have a real problem with them getting a title shot immediately after a loss.

If it was a rematch for the title in a hotly disputed decision, or an early stoppage, then definitely. But it would make more sense to let two current winners fight for the vacancy, not just the two available.

I agree with the others that Mundine is a tougher fight for Kessler than Miranda. But the think for me is Mundine is supposedly fighting Soliman for a 3rd time at the end of May... what is Kessler doing in the meantime? Hes already been of awhile! It just makes me wonder why Kessler didn't take the fight with Miranda then move onto Mundine next. Kessler must be either hoping to fight instead of Soliman or worse(& I hope its not the case) hoping Mundine is stripped of his alphabet strap so he can get it by default without having to face either Mundine or Miranda.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Galaxy

I agree with the others that Mundine is a tougher fight for Kessler than Miranda. But the think for me is Mundine is supposedly fighting Soliman for a 3rd time at the end of May... what is Kessler doing in the meantime? Hes already been of awhile! It just makes me wonder why Kessler didn't take the fight with Miranda then move onto Mundine next. Kessler must be either hoping to fight instead of Soliman or worse(& I hope its not the case) hoping Mundine is stripped of his alphabet strap so he can get it by default without having to face either Mundine or Miranda.

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Well that is quite simply they dont want Mundine to fight Soliman again, this is from Team Palles website:

Palle says Mundine must defend next again Kessler
or get stripped of WBA
Super Middleweight



Danish matchmaker Mogens Palle said Wednesday that he has checked with the World Boxing Association and has been informed that a May 28 super middleweight title defense by Anthony Mundine against Sam Soliman has not been approved.
“We learned that this ridiculous third bout between the two was announced for the Vodafone Arena in Melbourne, Australia, on that date. They held a press conference which attracted little attention. Only five press people showed up,” Palle said. “Nobody cares about that match against a smaller middleweight who Mundine has twice beaten and even knocked down four times.”
Palle, whose daughter Bettina is former WBA-WBC champion Mikkel Kessler’s manager-promoter, said the organization had not even been asked to authorize Mundine-Soliman III.
“Mikkel, who is 39-1 and has only a loss to undefeated Joe Calzaghe, is now the official challenger to Mundine. Mundine won a vacant title in March, 2007, and has now gone 13 months without making a required or mandatory defense. We have asserted our rights and told the WBA we’re ready to make Kessler-Mundine II a reality in the end of May or the start of June.”
In his first defense of the WBA belt, Kessler went to Sydney and outpointed Mundine over 12 rounds.
“Despite the silly opponents Anthony has chosen, we see it as another tough fight. I’d say that Mundine is improving with experience. But we’re comfortable that Mikkel will beat him again. Mundine must step up for the mandatory challenge or give up the world title.
“I would hope Mundine would prefer to try Kessler again rather than having his world title stripped for not complying with WBA rules. He does refer to himself as ‘The Man’ so I would really hope so. It is a WBA world title and is not limited to a WBA Australian title.”

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ArawakWarria

I've said it before and I'll keep repeating it...

Regardless of how one might feel about the boxer, I have a real problem with them getting a title shot immediately after a loss.

If it was a rematch for the title in a hotly disputed decision, or an early stoppage, then definitely. But it would make more sense to let two current winners fight for the vacancy, not just the two available.

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In this situation I disagree.
Kessler lost a fight to the No.1 guy in the division and gave a great account of himself.

The Chamion vacated and the strap was picked up by a lesser fighter.

Does it not make sense for the No.2 guy in the division to get a shot at a title?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thewhale

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Galaxy

I agree with the others that Mundine is a tougher fight for Kessler than Miranda. But the think for me is Mundine is supposedly fighting Soliman for a 3rd time at the end of May... what is Kessler doing in the meantime? Hes already been of awhile! It just makes me wonder why Kessler didn't take the fight with Miranda then move onto Mundine next. Kessler must be either hoping to fight instead of Soliman or worse(& I hope its not the case) hoping Mundine is stripped of his alphabet strap so he can get it by default without having to face either Mundine or Miranda.

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Well that is quite simply they dont want Mundine to fight Soliman again, this is from Team Palles website:

Palle says Mundine must defend next again Kessler
or get stripped of WBA
Super Middleweight



Danish matchmaker Mogens Palle said Wednesday that he has checked with the World Boxing Association and has been informed that a May 28 super middleweight title defense by Anthony Mundine against Sam Soliman has not been approved.
“We learned that this ridiculous third bout between the two was announced for the Vodafone Arena in Melbourne, Australia, on that date. They held a press conference which attracted little attention. Only five press people showed up,” Palle said. “Nobody cares about that match against a smaller middleweight who Mundine has twice beaten and even knocked down four times.”
Palle, whose daughter Bettina is former WBA-WBC champion Mikkel Kessler’s manager-promoter, said the organization had not even been asked to authorize Mundine-Soliman III.
“Mikkel, who is 39-1 and has only a loss to undefeated Joe Calzaghe, is now the official challenger to Mundine. Mundine won a vacant title in March, 2007, and has now gone 13 months without making a required or mandatory defense. We have asserted our rights and told the WBA we’re ready to make Kessler-Mundine II a reality in the end of May or the start of June.”
In his first defense of the WBA belt, Kessler went to Sydney and outpointed Mundine over 12 rounds.
“Despite the silly opponents Anthony has chosen, we see it as another tough fight. I’d say that Mundine is improving with experience. But we’re comfortable that Mikkel will beat him again. Mundine must step up for the mandatory challenge or give up the world title.
“I would hope Mundine would prefer to try Kessler again rather than having his world title stripped for not complying with WBA rules. He does refer to himself as ‘The Man’ so I would really hope so. It is a WBA world title and is not limited to a WBA Australian title.”

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Yeah I hope Mundine ditches the Soliman fight & chooses to face Kessler again... I think it's a great match-up! Mundine has improved greatly since their 1st meeting!(although his opposition recently leaves a lot to be desired) I just hope the trinket isn't stripped cause it could leave Kessler to face a lesser opponent