Kessler moving up to LHW

[deadpan]

He's facing the ever beatable Allan Green for some spurious WBC belt.

Someone else for Cleverly to call out and never face.

http://news.boxrec.com/news/2012/frochs ... llan-green

[Horse]

I wonder if he will ever have a big fight again.

[whiskey]

I think Kessler is a great ambassador for boxing and perhaps is thinking things through as his career is arguably in it's final stretch.

Being a two-weight champion is something that will be great for his legacy and his homeland.

I know he was urged to quit on top after beating Froch, his family were worried about his injuries and he was wrecked afterwards and then withdrew from the tournament. He captured a belt in the biggest fight in his history held on homesoil. It would have been perfect to exit at that point.

If he did beat Stieglitz he would either have another gruelling war with Froch, another pickpocket loss with Andre Ward - and was only offered pennies for Bute.

Perhaps he thinks 175lb has easier paths to earn money and credibility right now. Maybe he is right?

[damianhucker1]

Id take Kessler to beat Cleverly i think but until he fights at Light heavy theres no way to know if its suitable to him , or if hes got much left , but i think Cleverlys style would see Kessler knocking him out .

[Crease]

Kessler's always been a good Super Middleweight fighter - if he stays there, he'll probably regain one of the World Titles and have yet another successful run of title defences.

In my opinion he is making a mistake moving up divisions. Yet, I can't help wondering if ths weight-jump has anything to do with the mergence of Andre Ward as the top Supper Middleweight in the world...

[Coco]

Id take Kessler to beat Cleverly i think but until he fights at Light heavy theres no way to know if its suitable to him , or if hes got much left , but i think Cleverlys style would see Kessler knocking him out .

Kessler is leagues above Cleverly, it is embarrassing to mention them in the same sentance

[whiskey]

Kessler's always been a good Super Middleweight fighter - if he stays there, he'll probably regain one of the World Titles and have yet another successful run of title defences.

In my opinion he is making a mistake moving up divisions. Yet, I can't help wondering if ths weight-jump has anything to do with the mergence of Andre Ward as the top Supper Middleweight in the world...

Ward is definitely one of the reasons I'd imagine.

Clev vs Kessler - that would be interesting.

[Counter-puncher]

Clev vs Kessler - that would be interesting.

indeed, i could see just the jab and straight right hand going a long way for Kessler here, as long as he didn't let Cleverley in close to flurry to the body i think he could kill him at range

slightly OT, but is Kessler not one of the best-liked foreign fighters in the UK? he's always seemed to be a classy guy and UK fans seem to have taken to that.

[whiskey]

Clev vs Kessler - that would be interesting.

indeed, i could see just the jab and straight right hand going a long way for Kessler here, as long as he didn't let Cleverley in close to flurry to the body i think he could kill him at range

slightly OT, but is Kessler not one of the best-liked foreign fighters in the UK? he's always seemed to be a classy guy and UK fans seem to have taken to that.

Yeah, he's sound.

His mrs is hot. You never see her, but was with him at the WBC convention.

You often catch him round Salisbury, that's where his brother lives.

[yiddo14]

He has an English parent doesn't he?

[deadpan]

Good point. We Brits love him. He's a class act in and out of the ring, and was particularly gracious in defeat to Calzaghe, and he pushed Joe physically harder than anyone before or after. In many ways he's like Froch but without the slither of Cobra bullshit. His tattoos are pretty cool as well.

[whiskey]

Here is a little interview I did with Mikkel in 2006.


Over the weekend i had the opportunity to ask a few questions to one of the biggest threats to the super middleweight division, the current, undefeated & reigning WBC Super Middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler.

We all know Mikkel is a fine champion and perhaps the biggest threat to Joe Calzaghe's legacy at present, but i was keen to find out some of the more basic facts about Mikkel, with some short quickfire questions, the response was very interesting, especially with regards the lack of amateur support, which affected his decision to go Pro so young :-

Mikkel, of all the boxers you have seen, whom do you most respect or admire for their achievements?

" Well, i would say that i have no particular favourite - but i certainly think that De La Hoya & Sugar Ray are very good professionals "

At what particular age did you find yourself getting into boxing and how?

"I was 13 years old and my mother took me."

If you wasn't planning to be a boxer, what other career did you
originally pursue ?

"I actually started as a mechanic, but my training took over my life, and after i got to european champion aged only 16 as a youth-boxer, i stopped the mechanic course! "

Your mother is from Salisbury, do you come over to see relatives
sometimes? or do they visit you ?

" I have a brother called Mark. He lives in England and I visited him there and he has also been here several times. "

Apart from boxing, do you enjoy any other sports (like football?)

" Well i see some football and formula 1 - but most of all i enjoy motorbikes and cars, but i don't really follow stuff in tv... i'd rather do it myself ! "


What kind of following and support is given to amateur boxing in
your country? do they get scholarships etc

"Well I boxed a few fights for the national team, but boxing is a small sport in DK. they would't give me any help, therefore i had to turn pro at the early age of 19."


Oscar De La Hoya V Floyd Mayweather - who do you think might win
that fight?

"I really hope De La Hoya, but think Mayweather."

Would you ever consider moving up to Light Heavyweight ?

"No... only if i have to chase the others"


Apart from Joe Calzgaghe - which American fighter would you like
to fight if you had the opportunity ?

"Hopkins..or Jermaine Taylor"

Of all the current fighters today, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto,
David Haye etc - who do you most rate (Apart from Floyd Mayweather!) ?

"Myself ofcourse ! ha ha..... or perhaps Jermaine Taylor"

Thank you very much Mikkel - LiveFight and your British fans here wish you every success and hope the fight with Calzaghe becomes real in 2007.