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."