Mikkel Kessler announces comeback!

FORMER world super-middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler will return to the ring, Boxing News can reveal.
The 38-year-old will confirm his comeback today alongside his old promoters, Team Sauerland, at a press conference in his native Denmark.

No date or opponent has yet been confirmed for the ‘Viking Warrior’ and while he is not officially entering the World Boxing Super Series, we understand it is an option he is considering. We can also confirm that he will return at super-middleweight, where he has won a world title four times.
Kessler officially announced his retirement from boxing in early 2015, though his last fight came in May 2013 when he was outpointed by Carl Froch in a thrilling rematch of their 2010 barnburner, which Kessler had won.
When he retired in 2015, Kessler said he could be tempted back into the ring by an offer to fight Froch for a third time, or by the chance to avenge his 2009 defeat to Andre Ward.
Froch has since retired from boxing himself and Ward now campaigns at light-heavyweight, where he says the only fight he is interested in is a rematch with Sergey Kovalev, who he outpointed last year.
Kessler fought Froch and Ward as part of Showtime’s Super Six tournament, which Ward eventually won when he beat Froch in the final.
Kessler re-enters the super-middleweight division at an interesting time, with IBF champion James DeGale leading the pack and the Londoner’s old rival and Kessler’s promotional stablemate George Groves is in line for a WBA title shot.
Former British middleweight champion Chris Eubank Jnr moved to 168lbs in his last fight when he thrashed Renold Quinlan and is on the hunt for big fights while WBO champion Gilberto Ramirez returns from injury on April 22.
The Sauerlands teamed up with various other promoters to create the World Boxing Super Series, which will see 16 boxers across two weight classes compete in a tournament that has $50m up for grabs.
Further details of Kessler’s comeback fight are expected soon.

Mikkel Kessler announces comeback - Boxing News

Not sure about this being such a wise move after 4 years out of boxing and being 38 years old?

Always loved watching Kessler - True warrior who more than proved he was world class on numerous occasions.

He must have surely earned some serious money so he's either skint or genuinely just can't leave it alone and seriously fancies himself against Degale, Ramirez and Zeuge.

If he's still in decent shape you'd have to give him at least a punchers chance against any of the current belt holders.

Kessler against the new champions would be good to watch and it would be a good name to have on their CV.

DeGale, Groves or even Eubank would make good matches against Mikkel.

I thought he was blind?

Someone who definitely is blind

Anthony Ogogo determined to resume career despite suffering serious eye injury in first defeat | Boxing News | Sky Sports

Got to feel for the fucker.

I hope Ogogo comes back and gets the revenge he wants.

Please don't let Eubank Jr fight him and declare himself better than Froch and JC because of the manner of his victory over a visually impaired old man. True Warrior in his prime. Not now though.

I think now that Ward has moved up to Light Heavy Kessler has one eye on the title

I agree, Kessler was a world class fighter in his day who had all the tools a fighter could need. A genuine elite boxer.

Any 38 year old, with several years out of the ring, is only ever going to be a pale imitation of what he was.

Froch has been out of the game a similar amount of time and it stands at 1-1 between them.

That means neither man would have an advantage of being a fresher fighter.

Froch certainly doesn't dismiss a straightener for closure here and still looks in serious fighting shape

Carl Froch reacts to Mikkel Kessler's comeback and admits return of his old opponent has got him thinking | Boxing News | Sky Sports


Froch training with Anthony Fowler yesterday

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C8MAm3UXkAA7pM8.jpg

Froch looks fighting fit ready for another 80,000 seat fight.

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Originally Posted by Master

Froch looks fighting fit ready for another 80,000 seat fight.

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And that's exactly what Froch v Kessler would be, actually 90,000 at Wembley.
I remember the 2nd fight i tried to get tickets but gave up after an hour and a half but read loads of stuff that the demand could have sold out the 02 Arena more than 3 times over so filling Wembley would be no problem.

I can actually see this happening infact i'm pretty sure it will as it's a level playing field and not as if either man is coming back to fight a young fresh fighter ;)

When you think of it that way it's another 50-50 fight and would still be a tear up.

The 2nd fight was a belter.

The more i think of Froch v Kessler 3 the more i like it.
Bring it on Hearn :cool:

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Originally Posted by smashup

The more i think of Froch v Kessler 3 the more i like it.
Bring it on Hearn :cool:

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More old men on sky ppv is not what we need. Put is on normal subscription channel.

There was a time when Kessler was probably my favourite fighter . I thought he was over the top when he lost to Froch, and that disappointed me. So to see him fight 4 years later really doesn't do much for me.
I knew it wouldn't be long before Froch put his 2 pence worth in. I suppose with the silly money banded around , you can't blame them , but for fucks sake, if people want to see this, why don't we just have Masters tournaments and be done with it!
I don't like it and I don't think it's in the best interests of the fighters.

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Originally Posted by Master

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Originally Posted by smashup

The more i think of Froch v Kessler 3 the more i like it.
Bring it on Hearn :cool:

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More old men on sky ppv is not what we need. Put is on normal subscription channel.

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Forget age (and they both are not exactly dinosaurs) it's a level playing field and they will both come to smash the absolute shit out of the other which is what we want :cool:

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Originally Posted by Primo Carnera

There was a time when Kessler was probably my favourite fighter . I thought he was over the top when he lost to Froch, and that disappointed me. So to see him fight 4 years later really doesn't do much for me.
I knew it wouldn't be long before Froch put his 2 pence worth in. I suppose with the silly money banded around , you can't blame them , but for fucks sake, if people want to see this, why don't we just have Masters tournaments and be done with it!
I don't like it and I don't think it's in the best interests of the fighters.

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Kesslers last fight was against Froch in 2013 and he (they) were both still bang at it in the 12th round.
Neither are known for their speed or fancy footwork, they are just 2 warriors who can and will fight.
You'll thank me when this gets made and proves to be a toe to toe war :cool:

Kessler's done.

Kessler Announces Comeback/Froch Could Be tempted

http://socontent.affino.com/AfcIcon/Icons/Blank.gif Danish boxing legend Mikkel Kessler (46-3, 35 KOs) announced his plans to return to the ring at a press conference today at the Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers Hotel. The former five-time World Champion, who retired following his May 2013 rematch with Carl Froch at the O2 in London, will make a sensational comeback later this year with a date and opponent to be confirmed. ‘’I want to prove that I can become the best again. The goal is to become World Champion for the sixth time,’’ said ’The Viking Warrior’. ‘’I’ve always said that if I wake up one day and the motivation is there, I’ll take the chance, and now, the timing is right. I still have a great team around me with a chef, physical trainer, therapist and boxing coach. The desire is still there, and I’m ready to make it happen. ‘’I’m older, and so is my body, but I’ve kept in shape, and I’m still in weight. I’m 100 per cent motivated to do this. I’ve missed the training camps, and I’ve missed the focus you get from boxing - to have one goal, and to do your best to achieve it. ‘’It’s not about the money; it’s about doing what my heart tells me to do. I’ve always love big challenges, and this is a chance to really test myself. ‘’We’ve not decided on a date or an opponent yet. I’m just looking forward to fighting in front of my fans again. For me, it has always been about the fans, and I promise to do everything I can to ensure they get to see entertaining fights.’’ The 38 year-old was joined at today’s press conference by promoter Kalle Sauerland. ‘’For Mikkel it has always been about honour and not money when he steps into the ring,’’ said Sauerland. ’’He has beaten the best, and we believe he can come back to a level where he is ready to conquer the World again.’’ Froch is also reportedly considering coming out of retirement and could be tempted to face Kessler in a rubber match. Kessler and Froch have fought each other twice, winning one a piece and on hearing the news of Kessler’s return Froch said: " I’ve always said fighters should stay retired but I’ve got to be honest, this has really got me thinking! "It is one one of course and if anything is going to get me going again - it is a decider with Mikkel Kessler." http://socontent.affino.com/AfcIcon/Icons/Blank.gif

Fighters now box on well into their late 30's now and it must be to do with diets, nutrition and latest modern training/recovery methods.

He looks in reasonable nik but I see him only being a name on younger guys records from here.

I'm not a fan of old fighters going on past their sell buy date, let alone coming out of a long retirement after stopping because they've lost a step or three.

Froch-Kessler III doesn't interest me in the slightest, who cares who wins, it would simply be a case of who is the least shot. It's nothing but a battle between two fossils that already established they are equal foes in their pomp (Kessler was arguably past his best in the 1st fight let alone the 2nd).

He'll probably chase the WBA boys (Zeuge/Chudinov), as that's the alphabet mob he was most tight with and they're all with Sauerland. Groves too is with Sauerland, or he could end up getting the full SKY/Eddie treatment being a C.Smith title defense victim (should he beat Dirrel)

I suppose a fight with Arthur Abraham would be good in Germany.

Actually he has plenty of options, just best hope he's not completely and utterly gone at the game.

Kessler definitely has options. I just don't see him having much success. The Abraham fight might be the best of the lot.

The WBA and Groves link seems the likely path for Kessler. Should he win these fights then he is worthy of the success and money he will make. Froch will be closely watching as will sky with their penchant for PPV fights.

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Originally Posted by Master

The WBA and Groves link seems the likely path for Kessler. Should he win these fights then he is worthy of the success and money he will make. Froch will be closely watching as will sky with their penchant for PPV fights.

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Isn't Groves/ Chudinov supposed to fill a vacant belt? If that fight ever gets made. I think both guys are too much for Kessler to handle at this point. He may give Zeuge some rounds.

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Originally Posted by Alpha

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Originally Posted by Master

The WBA and Groves link seems the likely path for Kessler. Should he win these fights then he is worthy of the success and money he will make. Froch will be closely watching as will sky with their penchant for PPV fights.

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Isn't Groves/ Chudinov supposed to fill a vacant belt? If that fight ever gets made. I think both guys are too much for Kessler to handle at this point. He may give Zeuge some rounds.

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Yes, Groves v Chudinov should be next and then anything can happen. Groves could have some domestic world title unification's should he win against DeGale or Smith should he win.

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Originally Posted by Master

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Originally Posted by Alpha

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Originally Posted by Master

The WBA and Groves link seems the likely path for Kessler. Should he win these fights then he is worthy of the success and money he will make. Froch will be closely watching as will sky with their penchant for PPV fights.

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Isn't Groves/ Chudinov supposed to fill a vacant belt? If that fight ever gets made. I think both guys are too much for Kessler to handle at this point. He may give Zeuge some rounds.

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Yes, Groves v Chudinov should be next and then anything can happen. Groves could have some domestic world title unification's should he win against DeGale or Smith should he win.

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The DeGale fight will always be there for Groves I feel as James will want to avenge that loss at some point. I think Smith could emerge as the leader of the pack.

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Originally Posted by Alpha

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Originally Posted by Master

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Originally Posted by Alpha

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Originally Posted by Master

The WBA and Groves link seems the likely path for Kessler. Should he win these fights then he is worthy of the success and money he will make. Froch will be closely watching as will sky with their penchant for PPV fights.

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Isn't Groves/ Chudinov supposed to fill a vacant belt? If that fight ever gets made. I think both guys are too much for Kessler to handle at this point. He may give Zeuge some rounds.

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Yes, Groves v Chudinov should be next and then anything can happen. Groves could have some domestic world title unification's should he win against DeGale or Smith should he win.

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The DeGale fight will always be there for Groves I feel as James will want to avenge that loss at some point. I think Smith could emerge as the leader of the pack.

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Smith has a very tough fight against Dirrell but if he wins then yes he has a case. DeGale did it and has got the rewards. If Smith won he would fight at home and become more popular than James.

I hope he hasn't lost all his money. It sounds a little bit like choreographed press releases with Froch so maybe they're going to announce a pension top up fight. I think they'd fill the O2 easily and it'd do OK on British PPV probably.

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Originally Posted by Kirkland Laing

I hope he hasn't lost all his money. It sounds a little bit like choreographed press releases with Froch so maybe they're going to announce a pension top up fight. I think they'd fill the O2 easily and it'd do OK on British PPV probably.

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@Master would buy it.

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Originally Posted by Alpha

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Originally Posted by Kirkland Laing

I hope he hasn't lost all his money. It sounds a little bit like choreographed press releases with Froch so maybe they're going to announce a pension top up fight. I think they'd fill the O2 easily and it'd do OK on British PPV probably.

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@Master would buy it.

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Only if they're accepting coupons from cereal boxes.