Kessler

Mikkel Kessler, The Viking Warrior, Still to Return in 2018

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent?

 

After announcing a comeback in 2017, Mikkel Kessler, ‘The Viking Warrior, delayed his returned to 2018 due to contracting Lyme Disease.  For many years, his dominant presence in the 168 pounds super middleweight division in the post-Sven Ottke era made Kessler a prominent world champion. His comeback was announced for the 168 pounds division. Whether or not he makes weight and returns at super middleweight remains to be seen.

 

Denmark’s Kessler, who will turn 39 years old on March 1, 2018, is not beyond reach of a comeback. His record of 46 wins and three losses remains credible. His losses to Joe Calzaghe and Andre Ward, two retired unbeaten legendary champions, are no shame. His final bout, a 12 round decision loss to the now-retired Carl Froch in a WBA and IBF world super-middleweight unification bout with Carl on May 2013, would have resulted in a split draw if Kessler had won two more rounds. Kessler had decisioned Froch previously.

 

Kessler’s 49 bout professional career between 1998 and 2013 saw him holds such titles as the IBA World Super Middleweight title, the WBC, International Super Middleweight title, the WBC World Super Middleweight title, the WBA World Super Middleweight title, the WBO European Super Middleweight title, and the WBC Silver Light Heavyweight title. Kessler also fought for the WBO World Super Middleweight title. Overall, Kessler fought in 14 world title bouts at 168 pounds, winning 11 of his title bouts. Kessler is 32-0 is nontitle bouts, and is in all probability the best all-time world-class combatant from Denmark.

 

Kessler is in a situation similar to the comeback of former world champion Henry Maske, but Kessler is only five years inactive, while Maske was retired for over a decade. ‘The Viking Warrior’ will find his current competitors in the 168s pound division challenging. What Kessler has left in the tank, if he does attempt a comeback, remains a question mark.

 

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Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].