Mikkel Kessler Looks to Rebound Against WBC King Carl Froch

When Showtime's Super Six Super Middleweight (168 pounds) World Boxing Classic began in October, Denmark's once-beaten WBA champion, Mikkel Kessler, was considered to be not only a clear favorite, but also, the most complete fighter in the tournament.

With his combination of speed, power and experience, the 30-year-old Kessler (pictured at right, on the left, with Carl Froch) was considered to be unrivaled, even as the steel-chinned "Viking Warrior's" lone defeat in 43 bouts had come against unbeaten, legendary, Joe Calzaghe, of Wales, who would later score victories over Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones.

In addition, Kessler's first-round opponent was to be 25-year-old, former Olympic gold medalist, Andre Ward, a young man with less than half as many fights and wins as Kessler, three times fewer knockouts.

Kessler had held the super middleweight crown for nearly five years -- longer than Ward has been a professional -- since the latter's carreer began a few months after Kessler had already won his first world title.

Kessler entered their November matchup with a mark of 42-1 that included 32 KOs, with Ward coming in at 20-0, with 13 KOs. Yet it was Ward who dominated a physically and tactically dominant affair via 11th-round technical decision.

Kessler was left cut and bleeding badly above and below his right eye, and was also cut over his left eye starting at the bridge of his nose, causing referee Jack Reiss of California -- on the advice of a ringside doctor -- to call a an end to their bout at 1:42 of the second-to-last round.

Kessler, who complained of being head-butted in the bout, was, nevertheless humbled.

Entering his upcoming, April 24 bout with England's 32-year-old Carl Froch (26-0, 20 KOs), Kessler will try to not only regain his old status, but also, recapture a world championship.

For Froch, who is nicknamed, "The Cobra," is the owner of the WBC title, which he won with a December, 2008, unanimous decision over present WBC light heavyweight (175 pounds) champion, Jean Pascal (25-1, 16 KOs), of Canada.

"I had a very bad night in the office against Ward, but champions bounce back even stronger," said Kessler, who will meet Froch before his home crowd at Denmark's MCH Messecenter Herning, in Herning. "I did that once after the Calzaghe fight, and I will do it again when I get into the ring on the 24th of April."

But whether the old or the new Kessler shows up, Froch has vowed to knock out "either one."

"They say styles make fights, and our fight will be an exciting one. I am curious to see whether it will be the old or the new Kessler in the ring," said Froch, speaking at a recent press conference at The Robin Hood Suite at the Nottingham Football Stadium in his hometown earlier this week. "But it does not matter to me. I am planning to knock him out anyway."

Nearly a year ago to the date of his bout with Kessler, Froch scored a 12th-round knockout of Jermain Taylor on April 25.

Froch was both trailing and floored for the first time in his career against Taylor, who has since been stopped in the 12th round by Germany's Arthur Abraham (31-0, 25 KOs).

"Well, Carl, you don't know the new Mikkel Kessler yet. You will be in for a very explosive surprise when we meet," Kessler told Froch during their press conference. "You are a nice guy, but business is business, and I want to win my old WBC belt back."

Abraham, on March 27, will face Michigan southpaw, Andre Dirrell (18-1, 13 KOs), who was beaten by Froch in the Super Six's opening round via disputed, split-decision.

Ward (21-0, 13 KOs) will defend his title on April 24 against Allan Green (29-1, 20 KOs), who has replaced Taylor in the tournament.


SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC SCOREBOARD

Record Fighter Points

1-0 Arthur Abraham 3

1-0 Carl Froch 2

1-0 Andre Ward 2

0-1 Andre Dirrell 0

0-1 Mikkel Kessler 0