Mikkel Kessler vs. Bernard Joseph - November 28, 2026
Mikkel Kessler vs. Bernard Joseph - November 28, 2026
There are hints he's fighting on November 28 in Denmark. I'm a huge fan but I hope it's not true.
Re: Mikkel Kessler comeback ?
There isn't some young prospect about his size on the way up in Denmark is there? If so I'd think they may be setting him up to build up the name of that guy whoever he may be.
Otherwise, he's just another older fighter making a bad decision.
Otherwise, he's just another older fighter making a bad decision.
Re: Mikkel Kessler comeback ?
BoxRec has him scheduled to fight American Bernard Joseph, who has a record of 12-4-1 with 5 KOs. Last time out, Joseph lost a UD in May to the Russian Petr Khamukov at MW.
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Les Norton
- Super Bantamweight
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Re: Mikkel Kessler comeback ?
47 yrs of age and 13 years after his last bout - why?
Re: Mikkel Kessler comeback ?
I bet he can still dig.
Re: Mikkel Kessler comeback ?
Danish outlet Ekstrabladet says Kessler made a lot of money in his career but has lost most of it.
But Kessler insists his comeback isn’t about money.
Apparently, he’s been training and sparring daily with solid super‑middleweights like Oliver Zaren and Jacob Bank, and those sessions have convinced him he can make a successful comeback.
Bernard Joseph might be the underdog, and I don’t know anything about him, but you can’t rule out an upset.
Even though Joseph is a journeyman, he’s fighting someone who’s nearly 48 and hasn’t beaten a world‑rated opponent in almost 14 years.
But Kessler insists his comeback isn’t about money.
Apparently, he’s been training and sparring daily with solid super‑middleweights like Oliver Zaren and Jacob Bank, and those sessions have convinced him he can make a successful comeback.
Bernard Joseph might be the underdog, and I don’t know anything about him, but you can’t rule out an upset.
Even though Joseph is a journeyman, he’s fighting someone who’s nearly 48 and hasn’t beaten a world‑rated opponent in almost 14 years.
Re: Mikkel Kessler comeback ?
I don't like this at all but I admit hearing the name Kessler chanted one more time-at least-in Denmark will stir me.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Mikkel Kessler comeback ?
Mikkel Kessler, 47, announces comeback: 'This is not a stunt or a gimmick'
Mikkel Kessler, 47, is planning to return on November 28 in Brondby, Denmark, against little-known Bernard Joseph.
The Danish hero has not fought since losing to Carl Froch in their violent 2013 rematch. In the end, after a 15-year career in which the “Viking Warrior” became one of the finest super middleweights in history, constant injuries became too much for him to continue.
Four years later, in 2017, when 38 years old, the five-time beltholder at 168lbs announced plans to come back with ambitions to regain world titles.
“I want to prove I’m the best again,” he said back then.
However, after impressing during sparring with Erik Skoglund, Kessler was struck down by illness after contracting lyme disease when bitten by a tick.
In 2023 he told Boxing News he was happy in retirement. But now, 13 years removed from his last bout, Kessler wants to try again.
“If you think this is a stunt or a gimmick, then you don’t know me,” Kessler, 46-3 (35 KOs), told TV 2 Sport.
He is not coming back for money and is taking his age into consideration as he eases back.
“Boxing form is something different than physical form, so I've started slowly to avoid injuries,’ he said. “I've already had a lot of sparring, but not too hard, because I need to train myself slowly.”
However, to get to where he wants to be, which is a world title fight, he must first see what he has left.
Joseph, a 36-year-old from Dorset, Massachusetts with a 12-4 (5 KOs), will be that measuring stick.
Remarkably, Kessler will again compete at 168lbs.
"All of the oldest world champions have never held their weight,” Kessler’s promoter Kalle Sauerland said.
"This fight [with Joseph] has so many question marks over it, and we will have to wait and see.
"It is too early for me to say there is a world title next. But the name Kessler back on the world stage, and I can deliver very quickly.
"I could deliver the fight for the world title after, and it will be delightful if we get a result.
"We want to march on for the world title, but it will be step-by-step."
Mikkel Kessler, 47, is planning to return on November 28 in Brondby, Denmark, against little-known Bernard Joseph.
The Danish hero has not fought since losing to Carl Froch in their violent 2013 rematch. In the end, after a 15-year career in which the “Viking Warrior” became one of the finest super middleweights in history, constant injuries became too much for him to continue.
Four years later, in 2017, when 38 years old, the five-time beltholder at 168lbs announced plans to come back with ambitions to regain world titles.
“I want to prove I’m the best again,” he said back then.
However, after impressing during sparring with Erik Skoglund, Kessler was struck down by illness after contracting lyme disease when bitten by a tick.
In 2023 he told Boxing News he was happy in retirement. But now, 13 years removed from his last bout, Kessler wants to try again.
“If you think this is a stunt or a gimmick, then you don’t know me,” Kessler, 46-3 (35 KOs), told TV 2 Sport.
He is not coming back for money and is taking his age into consideration as he eases back.
“Boxing form is something different than physical form, so I've started slowly to avoid injuries,’ he said. “I've already had a lot of sparring, but not too hard, because I need to train myself slowly.”
However, to get to where he wants to be, which is a world title fight, he must first see what he has left.
Joseph, a 36-year-old from Dorset, Massachusetts with a 12-4 (5 KOs), will be that measuring stick.
Remarkably, Kessler will again compete at 168lbs.
"All of the oldest world champions have never held their weight,” Kessler’s promoter Kalle Sauerland said.
"This fight [with Joseph] has so many question marks over it, and we will have to wait and see.
"It is too early for me to say there is a world title next. But the name Kessler back on the world stage, and I can deliver very quickly.
"I could deliver the fight for the world title after, and it will be delightful if we get a result.
"We want to march on for the world title, but it will be step-by-step."