Open letter from Mikkel Kessler

[jangeorg]

First, I would like to wish Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my fans, indeed to all boxing fans around the globe. Here’s to a great 2009 with peace and prosperity for one and all.

My purpose is to let my fans and all boxing fans around the world know my past and curre nt boxing agenda.

I went from Denmark to America THREE TIMES in 2008 trying to drum up a big fight. I atten ded the Kelly Pavlik-Jermain Taylor rematch, the Bernard Hopkins-Joe Calzaghe fight and the Roy Jones-Calzaghe bout. I enjoy both Las Vegas and New York but those were business trips. My dream is to fight big fights in the United States against the best of the best.

Bernard Hopkins. Joe Calzaghe. Chad Dawson . Winky Wright. Jermain Taylor. Kelly Pavlik.

Six great fighters, no doubt. And, starting with ring legend Hopkins, six fighters who all refused to seriously discuss fighting me this past year. I respect all of them as boxers and great competitors but, for some reason, I can’t get any of t hem to fight me.

Now I know some people say I’ve been hiding in Europe and not fighting the big names. That’s not fair and that’s not true. I reg ained my WBA title, which is important to me, against unbeaten Dimitri Sartison and then fought a=2 0required mandatory against Danillo Haussler. I didn’t make Haussler the mandatory challenger but I did cut him down in three rounds.

Naturally, I am extremely frustrated as I seek bigger game. I am hoping that 2009 will be different, that I will be able to match my skills in America against the likes of the=2 0Big Six.

I’m not here to call anyone names or issue childish insults. That’s not the Viking Warrior’s style , people know that.

But Hopkins says he doesn’t want to hear my name although I’d gladly fight him at 168 pounds for my title or at a catch weight.

Calzaghe beat me on points in an excellent fight and has been consistent in saying he will never give me a second chance. He’s a great one but I wish he’d change his mind. He said he never gives rematches yet he gave one to Mario Veit. It was Joe who suggested I fight Hopkins. I agree but Bernard doesn’t like the idea.

Unbeaten Dawson is young and unbeaten. I would fight him at super middleweight or at a catch weight but he and/or his handlers are not interested.

As for Winky, I’ve been hearing his name all year, from January to December, but it’s clear he also wants no part of me.

Taylor will never fight me according to his guy, Lou DiBella. I’ve given up on getting Jermain in the ring.

Though he lost to Hopkins, Pavlik is still an excellent, rugged champion. He calls me a real beast and I say the same about him. That’s a bout I would really get excited about but it seems unlikely.

I’m not a guy to shout from the rooftops but everything I’ve said here is factual.

I just hope I can fill up my 2009 dance card with some or any of these reluctant but great warriors as listed above.

Thanks again to all the fans, in Denmark and elsewhere, who give me such great support. Know that I appreciate it greatly!

MIKKEL KESSLER

[ross]

I actually like Kessler, before he fought Joe I was getting bored reading about how hes this that and the other, the thing is though, the only fighter that could have given him as much trouble as they did is Joe, Mikkel is very poised, well balanced and has very good acuracy and timing, Joe has a frustrating style that is hard to counter, Dawson is similar but I look forward to seeing Kessler dominate.

Interesting to hear that both Hopkins and Dawson are reluctant to fight him, to be fair though, Dawson is a light heavy and a title holder, kessler should move up for that one.

I want Froch to fight a big name in his next fight, namely Kessler, to shut Carl up but after listening to his promoter in the post fight interview, thats not gonna happen

[jangeorg]

I actually like Kessler, before he fought Joe I was getting bored reading about how hes this that and the other, the thing is though, the only fighter that could have given him as much trouble as they did is Joe, Mikkel is very poised, well balanced and has very good acuracy and timing, Joe has a frustrating style that is hard to counter, Dawson is similar but I look forward to seeing Kessler dominate.

Interesting to hear that both Hopkins and Dawson are reluctant to fight him, to be fair though, Dawson is a light heavy and a title holder, kessler should move up for that one.

I want Froch to fight a big name in his next fight, namely Kessler, to shut Carl up but after listening to his promoter in the post fight interview, thats not gonna happen

As Kessler said in the letter, he would gladly fight Dawson at SMW. Since Dawson was the one calling Kessler out, it is Dawson who should move down

[Violent Demise]

I actually like Kessler, before he fought Joe I was getting bored reading about how hes this that and the other, the thing is though, the only fighter that could have given him as much trouble as they did is Joe, Mikkel is very poised, well balanced and has very good acuracy and timing, Joe has a frustrating style that is hard to counter, Dawson is similar but I look forward to seeing Kessler dominate.

Interesting to hear that both Hopkins and Dawson are reluctant to fight him, to be fair though, Dawson is a light heavy and a title holder, kessler should move up for that one.

I want Froch to fight a big name in his next fight, namely Kessler, to shut Carl up but after listening to his promoter in the post fight interview, thats not gonna happen

As Kessler said in the letter, he would gladly fight Dawson at SMW. Since Dawson was the one calling Kessler out, it is Dawson who should move down

Kessler needs Dawson more than Dawson needs him. Kessler should move up. Expecting Dawson to come down to 168 is stupid. That's like asking Kessler to go down to Middleweight. Not do able

[Dizaster]

I'd like to see Kessler get some of these big fights... He's a great fighter and throw him in the ring with any of those guys and he's going to put on a 12 round show...

I think the problem is mostly because he is a good fighter and is not going to be easy for any of the guys he called out, but at the same time he's not a big name, so it's that old, high risk/low reward...

And the Catch 22 of not well know enough to get big fights in America, but needs big fights in america to become well known...

If those other guys he seeked fights with were interested in fighting a quality opponent and putting a good fight together for fans, then they should take Kess up on his offer... But he doesn't match their thirst of more glory and more money,,,, obviously..

[ross]

Just replay his fight with Andrade to the us audience, thatll whet their appetite for more Kessler.

I have to admit I havent seen the whole fight, just bits on youtube but it looks a good scrap.

Andrade took a hell of a hammering in there, his head was getting whacked round like a nodding dog, Kessler is very sharp and has good power too, anyone with a leaky defence is gonna come unstuck against him.

If you havent seen the fight, take the time to watch these highlights, the punishment Andrade can take is awesome and it also highlights how sharp Kessler is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLKGyXe87MI

[cpcompany]

Kessler will have to beat a lower tier fighter who is known in America and beat them well. Someone like Lacy or Miranda would be perfect. They arent the Marquee names he wants but a good win would make someone sit up and take notice.

[jangeorg]

I actually like Kessler, before he fought Joe I was getting bored reading about how hes this that and the other, the thing is though, the only fighter that could have given him as much trouble as they did is Joe, Mikkel is very poised, well balanced and has very good acuracy and timing, Joe has a frustrating style that is hard to counter, Dawson is similar but I look forward to seeing Kessler dominate.

Interesting to hear that both Hopkins and Dawson are reluctant to fight him, to be fair though, Dawson is a light heavy and a title holder, kessler should move up for that one.

I want Froch to fight a big name in his next fight, namely Kessler, to shut Carl up but after listening to his promoter in the post fight interview, thats not gonna happen

As Kessler said in the letter, he would gladly fight Dawson at SMW. Since Dawson was the one calling Kessler out, it is Dawson who should move down

Kessler needs Dawson more than Dawson needs him. Kessler should move up. Expecting Dawson to come down to 168 is stupid. That's like asking Kessler to go down to Middleweight. Not do able

Kessler is a SMW, why should he go up to fight Dawson?

Hopkins didnt have to fight Pavlik, but he compromised to fight at 170. Kesslers up for that, is Dawson?

[Rantcatrat]

Kessler will have to beat a lower tier fighter who is known in America and beat them well. Someone like Lacy or Miranda would be perfect. They arent the Marquee names he wants but a good win would make someone sit up and take notice.

I agree somewhat; he should angle to fight the big names by offering to travel, which I'm sure he already does, but if he can't get the big names, he should settle for gatekeepers like Miranda and Lacy or even Manfredo (only to get on US tv).

It should be noted that Calzaghe v. Kessler was shown on US televsion.

How about Deniz Inkin? Or is he another Universum fighter who doesn't leave Germany and doesn't take risks?

[ross]

Ah, what about Bika?

Hes well known and comes to fight and has just come off a relatively high profile win.

[Rantcatrat]

As Kessler said in the letter, he would gladly fight Dawson at SMW. Since Dawson was the one calling Kessler out, it is Dawson who should move down

Kessler needs Dawson more than Dawson needs him. Kessler should move up. Expecting Dawson to come down to 168 is stupid. That's like asking Kessler to go down to Middleweight. Not do able

Kessler is a SMW, why should he go up to fight Dawson?

Hopkins didnt have to fight Pavlik, but he compromised to fight at 170. Kesslers up for that, is Dawson?

you two are are arguing over a moot point - Kessler said he'd meet at a catchweight.

[Gandalf]

Kessler is very good, its no wonder nobody wants to get in there with him.

He should stick it out at SMW and clean up within a year. It will get to the point where there is noone left and he will move up to LHW and get those fights he's asking for. Except they might all be retired by then; except Hopkins of course.

[kingfrnk]

As Kessler said in the letter, he would gladly fight Dawson at SMW. Since Dawson was the one calling Kessler out, it is Dawson who should move down

Kessler needs Dawson more than Dawson needs him. Kessler should move up. Expecting Dawson to come down to 168 is stupid. That's like asking Kessler to go down to Middleweight. Not do able

Kessler is a SMW, why should he go up to fight Dawson?

Hopkins didnt have to fight Pavlik, but he compromised to fight at 170. Kesslers up for that, is Dawson?

and why should dawson go down to 168 to fight kessler??

if anything kessler should clean out his division and then go up in weight.

[thewhale]

did you write this yourselve ?? where is the source for this letter.

If Kessler wanted the big fight he had the stepping stone in Miranda, but Kessler and Team Palle went for the paper title, fair but waste of time, I have said this from the beginning.

Now I am not so excited about the name Kessler is going to face next, sounds like an excuse to face a noname again.

If it is Manfredo I give up, hope I am dead wrong.

I can live with Froch but what would that help in US if that is Kesslers dream.

[Galaxy]

I wouldn't mind seeing Kessler in with either Bute, Froch. A Bika or Allan Green fight would also be a good starting point!