KESSLER-FROCH HEATS UP
Group Stage 2 – Saturday, April 24, 2010,
On SHOWTIME
(9 p.m. ET/PT, Same-Day Tape Delay)
From MCH Herning, Denmark
HERNING, Denmark (Feb. 17, 2010) – Mikkel Kessler (42-2, 32 KOs) and World Boxing Council (WBC) super middleweight champion Carl Froch (26-0, 20 KOs) kicked off an international media tour here Wednesday morning to discuss their upcoming Group Stage 2 bout in the Super Six World Boxing Classic on Saturday, April 24, on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/PT, same-day tape delay).
Known as “The Viking Warrior,’’ Denmark’s Kessler will be counting on the support of his home fans when he challenges Froch, of Nottingham, England, for the WBC 168-pound crown in a 12-round match at MCH Herning.
After one round in the Super Six, “King” Carl has two points, while Kessler needs a victory to get on the board.
“Never in my life have I lost a fight in Denmark,” said Kessler, a former World Boxing Association (WBA) super middle titleholder at a packed press conference. “My home fans give me the extra five percent I need to defeat Froch. I will knock him out. It will be the real ‘Viking Warrior’ in the ring.
“A victory is all that matters on April 24.’’
While Kessler can be certain to have a boisterous crowd behind him, Froch also will be supported by thousands of British fans who are expected to travel into the country to support their hero.
“I will be bringing the Froch army of fans,” the undefeated 32-year-old said. “I have been received very well here. Everything has been organized perfectly, so my fans will have a good time in Herning. It will be two proud warriors inside the ring and I will again defend my title in my opponent´s backyard.”
Promoter Kalle Sauerland has no doubts that his boxer, Kessler, will take care of business.
“Look, Mikkel, they did not dare to bring their (WBC) belt to this press conference because they are scared of losing it here in Denmark,” said Sauerland at the press conference. “The fight against Froch will be an exciting one. There is so much at stake. Their spectacular boxing styles will make April 24 a night to remember.’’
Sauerland presented Kessler a cardboard picture of Froch and his prediction that he would “decapitate Kessler.’’
“It will get a special place in my gym,” Kessler said. “It will further raise my motivation. Froch can say what he wants. I don´t think he will decapitate me.
“It will be the other way around!’’
Froch´s promoter, Mick Hennessy, believes his fighter has what it takes to win the fight and the
tournament.
“Carl will come here with his army of fans and beat Mikkel Kessler,” Hennessy said. “I think this is the most exciting clash of the entire group stages. It should be a real treat for the fans.”
Georg Soerensen, CEO of MCH Herning, is proud to host the biggest fight in Danish history.
“We are thrilled to stage the historic first-ever Super Six fight on Danish soil,” he said. “It is a big honor and we really look forward to April 24.”
Tickets will go on sale on Monday, Feb. 22, at billetnet.dk. In Denmark, the fight will be distributed
on pay-per-view on satellite, cable and IP TV-platform by the following operators: Satellite and IP-TV operator Viasat, cable TV- operators YouSee and Stofa, and IP TV operator TDC. To get a hold of a pay-per-view ticket, the customers need to contact the operators. Price per ticket is 499 DKR. The starting time for the fight will be around 22.30 Danish time.
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
For information on all SHOWTIME Sports telecasts, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries from its events and complete information on the Super Six World Boxing Classic, please visit the website at http://www.sports.sho.com
ABOUT SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC
The inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic is a ground-breaking, six-fighter tournament from SHOWTIME Sports® featuring the class of the super middleweight (168-pound) division from around the world. All bouts in the Super Six tournament will be contested under the Unified Rules of Boxing. Each boxer fights three bouts against different opponents in the field in the points-based Group Stage of competition (Win – 2 pts with a 1-pt bonus for KO/TKO; Loss – 0 pts; Draw – 1 pt.). After the Group Stage, the four fighters with the highest point totals will advance to the single-elimination Semi-Finals. The winners of the Semi-Final bouts will advance to the Finals and fight for the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic trophy.
About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.
Mikkel Kessler in Berlin
Mikkel Kessler (42-2, 32 KOs) has moved his training camp from
Copenhagen to Berlin. He is working out at the famous Max-Schmeling-Gym
at Team Sauerland´s headquarters near the Olympic Stadium. “I enjoy
being in Berlin,” the Viking Warrior said. “The facilities are great and
we train very hard. I will be in perfect shape when I take on Froch.”
Kessler will battle it out with WBC Champion Carl Froch in the second
round of the Super Six World Boxing Classic in April. Practicing with
Kessler in Berlin is gifted Danish youngster Patrick Nielsen (2-0, 2 KOs).
Kessler: “I will bounce back”
Mikkel Kessler has vowed to bounce back stronger than ever after his
11th round technical decision defeat against Andre Ward. The Viking
Warrior was trailing on all three scorecards when the fight was stopped
due to a cut caused by an unintentional headbutt. “I have lost the world
title once and won it straight back so I know how to do it,” Kessler
said. “With the support of my home fans in Denmark I will beat Carl
Froch and become world champion again. That is why this tournament is
great – I have the chance to make amends immediately.”
Kessler admitted it was tough to fight Ward. “He was very fast and very
good. He ruined my style,” he said. “It was not my day. Now I will go
home, watch the tape and then bounce back stronger than ever.”
Said Wilfried Sauerland: “Congratulations to Andre Ward, he fought a
great fight and deserved to win. I was impressed by his speed and his
technical abilities. However, the referee should have stopped the
holding and headbutting, but we do not want to take anything away from
his performance and his victory. Mikkel will come back and do very well
in this tournament, no doubt about that.”
Added Kalle Sauerland: “Ward proved today that he belongs into this
tournament and that he is a great fighter with a golden future. The
great thing about the Super Six World Boxing Classic is that Mikkel can
take revenge soon as their paths might cross again. Mikkel and his team
will analyse the fight closely and draw the right conclusions. I have no
doubts that the Viking Warrior will come back stronger than ever and we
will see an exciting fight against Carl Froch. That fight will be massive.”
WARD DETHRONES KESSLER BY TECHNICAL DECISION IN SUPER 6 SHOWDOWN
By Mario Ortega Jr. & Rick McKenzie (ringside)
In a virtuoso performance, the last U.S. Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward added pro gold to his resume completely dismantling Mikkel Kessler to win the WBA Super Middleweight title before a raucous crowd of 10,277 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Not only did the win earn Ward two points in the Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament, but it may have elevated him into the elite category
Fighting before his hometown crowd, Ward (20-0, 13 KOs) dominated from the second round on in surprising fashion. Kessler (42-1, 32 KOs) of Copenhagen, Denmark was the odds-on betting favorite coming into the Super Six World Boxing Classic, but was completely outclassed in every regard by the Oakland native.
After a pretty even first round, Ward, 166 ½, turned offensive, boxing and moving on the slower Kessler, 167. One of the only bright spots at any point in the fight for Kessler was his ability to force Ward to the ropes in the first few rounds. However, Kessler was never able hurt Ward in any of those instances. As a sign of things to come, Ward closed the second by measuring Kessler with his left and landing a laser right behind it. By the end of the third round, Ward had burned off all of his nervous energy and settled in like a proven veteran.
Ward maintained the momentum into the third and never relinquished control as his speed kept Kessler out of any type of rhythm. As the fight progressed Ward continually beat Kessler by getting in shots on the inside and manhandling him at long range as well. Ward staggered Kessler with a minute left in the fourth. At the close of the round, Kessler returned to his corner with a cut below his right eye.
By the fifth, Kessler was no longer forcing Ward to the ropes and the Oakland native was eating the Dane alive in the center of the ring. It was quite apparent that Kessler stood almost no chance fighting at that geography. In another veteran move, Ward kept Kessler at range with his right hand and busted him up with the right. Kessler could not get past Ward’s extended left hand and when he tried the results were not what he had hoped for.
After a short burst to start the sixth, Kessler’s morale low was in the dumps. By the end of round eight, Kessler looked like a fighter that wanted someone to save him from further punishment. Rounds nine and ten were just more of the same, as Ward continued to exact his dominance over his beaten adversary. Referee Jack Reiss called time 1:42 into round eleven give the ringside doctor a look at Kessler. Without much hesitation, the doctor called the fight. However, the referee had ruled the original cut was a result of a headbutt (which the earlier replay seemed to confirm). Thus, the fight went to the scorecards.
Swedish judge Mikael Hook somehow scored the bout 97-93. Better known South African judge Stanley Christodoulou and Californian Steve Morrow agreed with tallies of 98-92 all for Ward. The cut ruling may have cost Ward the extra point a knockout would have earned him in the tournament since a stoppage seemed eminent.
Tony Hirsch (10-3-1, 5 KOs) of Oakland added a once-noteworthy name to his resume as he scored a one-sided four-round decision over faded former welterweight contender Jose Celaya (31-6, 16 KOs) of Salinas, California. After a feeling out round, Hirsch, 164, began to pick up the pace in the second. The former pro football player controlled the distance, pot-shoting his Celaya, 166, at will. Stepping up the aggression, Hirsch landed a couple of telling blows on the flat-footed Celaya to punctuate the round. To his credit, Celaya never stopped trying, even while taking several hard shots late in the fourth. In the end, scores read 40-36 across the board for Hirsch. The fight was scheduled to be a six-rounder, but was shortened due to time constraints. While Celaya still has his heart and will intact, it appears his career may have come to an end.
In our next battle, a rematch from March of 2008, Karim Mayfield (10-0-1, 6KO’s) is going for his second win against Francisco Santana (11-1, 5KO’s), in a junior middle weight bout. The first round was the normal feeling-out precess with Santana coming forward for the better part of the round. Mayfield landed the biggest shots of the round with consecutive overhand rights.
The second round had a bit more action with both a few heated exchanges seemingly won by Mayfield. The two continued to measure each other out in the third with the bigger shots still being landed by Mayfield. The fourth round was relatively even with both guys not doing much fighting however Santana did land a meaningful left towards the end. Mayfield hurt Santana big time in the middle of the fifth fround with a series of body and head shots that hurt the game Santana, who went down to one knee. When he returned to his feet, it was only a matter of time before two powerful lefts to the body coupled with a right to the head put Santana down and out as the referee stopped the fight at 2:27 of round 5.—by Rick McKenzie
In our second bout of the evening, undefeated Stan Martyniouk (7-0, 1KO) met Anthony Martinez (21-32, 9KO’s) in a 4 round lightweight bout. Stan “The Man” moved well in the first round and when he stopped, landed blistering combinations. Although Martinez was game and continued to press forward, he was met with solid body shots and uppercuts. By the middle of the fouth and final round, Martinez was chasing and missing while throwing wild punches as Martyniouk cruised to a unanimous decision scoring 40-36 on all three judges scorecards.–by Rick McKenzie
Lightweight prospect Mel Crossty (4-0-1, 1 KO) of Cincinnati, Ohio scored one knockdown en route to a unanimous four-round decision over Carlos Herrera (2-3, 1 KO) of Oxnard, California. The knockdown came in the first, as Crossty, 130, landed a blow that caused the glove of Herrera, 130, to glance the canvas. Crossty upped the aggression in the third, rocking Herrera against the ropes. Herrera was game, still coming forward in the fourth, despite being completely outclassed. Scores were 40-35 twice and 39-36 for Crossty.
FOLLOW KESSLER-WARD LIVE
Follow all the action LIVE from the Oracale Arena in Oakland, California as Mikkel Kessler defends the WBA Super Middleweight championship against former Olympic Gold Medalist and undefeated Andre Ward. This bout is the final bout in Group Stage 1 of the Super 6 Super Middleweight affair. The action gets underway at 10pm in eastern/7pm Pacific and 4 am in Sunday in Copenhagen
12 Rounds–WBA Super Middleweight Title–Mikkel Kessler (42-1, 32 KO’s) vs Andre Ward (20-0, 13 KO’s)
Round 1: Ward lands a jab and left hook..Kessler jab to the body..Jab..Ward lands a lead left…10-9 Ward
Round 2: Kessler jabbing…Ward lands a double jab and uppercut…big right…20-18 Ward
Round 3: Ward lands left off ropes..Big Right..Kessler lands a jab..Good right from Ward..Kessler lands a jab..30-27 Ward
Round 4: Ward lands a body combination…Kessler lands a big left hook..Ward lands a big right that hurts Kessler..Blood from under right eye of Kessler..Right buckles Kessler…Straight left…40-36 Ward
Round 5: Right from Ward..Great left hook..Nice jab..50-45 Ward
Round 6: Kessler lands a nice left hook..Ward lands a uppercut..Right and a jab..Jab..double jab..Kessler lands a nice right..Ward lands a straight on the chin…60-54 Ward
Round 7: Kessler lands 2 jabs..ward lands a jab…ward lands a right…70-63
Round 8: Ward lands a right to the body..Blood from Nose of Kessler..Ward backs up Kessler on the ropes…80-72…Kessler sayinh he cant see and is bleeding iver left eye
Round 9: Kessler lands a left inside…89-82 Ward
Round 10: Ward lands a stiff jab…Good exchange as Kessler catches Ward coming in..Nice right..Nice combo from Ward..99-91 Ward
Round 11: Ward lands a lead right..The doctor is now looking at Kessler’s cuts…AND THE FIGHT IS OVER..THEY ARE GOING TO THE SCORE CARD DOING TO THE CUT BEING OPENED BY A BUTT…109-100 WARD ON THE GFL CARD
97-93; 98-92; 98-92 ANDRE WARD
Super Six Superfight in Oakland
By Mario Ortega Jr.
Perhaps the most intriguing contest of much-publicized Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament’s Group Stage One takes place tonight at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, as hometown hero Andre Ward attempts to dethrone WBA Super Middleweight Champion, and tournament betting favorite, Mikkel Kessler. Both fighters weighed in on Friday afternoon before a lively audience at the Hilton Oakland Airport, just a brisk walk away from the place of their showdown tonight.
With the other two Americans, Andre Dirrell and Jermain Taylor, having lost to their Super Six counterparts Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham respectively, Ward will look to score the first points for the sake of the U.S. in the tournament. Ward, the WBC #1/WBO #1/WBA #7 ranked super middleweight, will also look to become the first of his 2004 U.S. Olympic teammates to win a professional world title. Both Dirrell and Vicente Escobedo failed in title bids earlier this year. Ward (20-0, 13 KOs) is the United States’ only gold medalist boxer from the last three Summer Olympiads.
Kessler (42-1, 32 KOs) of Copenhagen, Denmark has been at or near the top of the super middleweight division for the better of the last five years. Originally claiming the WBA title with a seventh-round knockout of Manny Siaca in 2004, Kessler made four successful defenses and added the WBC belt, before suffering his lone pro loss to Joe Calzaghe in a super middleweight mega fight in 2007. Kessler rebounded seven months later to reclaim the vacant WBA title and make three straight title defenses. Kessler is nearly universally regarded as the current top 168-pound boxer in the world.
Entering this week, it appeared as though the final Group Stage One pairing would have the smoothest road to fight night. Both Kessler and Ward have been sportsmanlike throughout the entire pre-fight build-up, complimenting each other at every opportunity, while still exuding confidence in their own capabilities.
After the announcement that two California-based judges and a referee had been assigned to officiate the bout, Kessler’s promoter Wilfried Sauerland expressed his displeasure and there was talk that the WBA may not sanction the 168-pound title bout. “Not all the judges can be from California,” Sauerland told the Associated Press on Wednesday. “If it stays like this, definitely there won’t be a world championship on Saturday. We have a really serious problem.” Eventually Swedish judge Mikael Hook was named to join South African judge Stanley Christodoulou and Californian Steve Morrow. Respected California referee Jack Reiss remains the third man in the ring.
By the time Kessler and Ward stepped on the scale Friday, all the talk of cancellations, protests and non-title bouts felt like a distant memory and all that remained was the feeling that is was a “big fight,” the San Francisco Bay Area’s biggest in many years. The challenger Ward, shredded, stepped on the scale first to a large ovation and weighed in at 166 ½ pounds. The respected champion Kessler, a chiseled super middleweight in his own right, scaled 167-pounds.
Heading up the undercard is a rematch of an action-packed bout from March of last year, as undefeated light middleweight prospect Karim Mayfield (10-0-1, 6 KOs) of Daly City, California gives Francisco Santana (11-1, 5 KOs) of Santa Barbara, California the opportunity to avenge his only defeat in a scheduled eight-rounder. In their first bout, Santana had Mayfield in trouble in the fourth, but could not put the Bay Area native down. Mayfield turned the tables in the sixth, almost dropping Santana en route to a disputable six-round split decision. Mayfield weighed in at 151 ½ Friday, while Santana scaled 150 ½ pounds.
An oft-scheduled bout between former WBO #1 ranked welterweight Jose Celaya (31-5, 16 KOs) of Salinas, California and former pro football player Tony Hirsch (9-3-1, 5 KOs) of Oakland will finally come to fruition Saturday, as they are scheduled to square off in a six-round super middleweight bout. The two were originally scheduled to fight in March at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, California before the fight was pulled without an explanation. Their bout was rescheduled for July 30th at the El Monte Expo Center in El Monte, California, but Hirsch was pulled from the card in favor of Freddie Norwood, a former 126-pound champion, who ended up scoring a decision win over Celaya. Hirsch weighed in at 164 pounds, while Celaya scaled 166, before the two met in a heated face-off.
Rising lightweight prospect Stan Martyniouk (7-0, 1 KO) of Sacramento, California takes on late replacement Anthony Martinez (21-32-3, 9 KOs) of Turrialba, Costa Rica in a four-round bout fought just below the light welterweight limit. Martyniouk’s original opponent, Theron DeLorme, was a late scratch and the assignment was handed down to Martinez, who has pretty much made a career out of these situations. Martyniouk enters the fight off of a six-round unanimous decision win over Jorge Marquez on September 12th. Martinez, who challenged Acelino Freitas for the WBO Super Featherweight title way back in 1999, has lost ten straight bouts, but failed to last the distance in just nine of his career losses. Martyniouk scaled 136, while Martinez weighed in at 138 ½ pounds.
In the opener, former amateur standout Mel Crossty (3-0-1, 1 KO) of Cincinnati, Ohio will meet Carlos Herrera (2-2, 1 KO) of Oxnard, California in a four-round super featherweight fight. Crossty, last seen fighting to a four-round draw with Jaime Rodriguez at the Oracle Arena in May, weighed in at 130-pounds. Herrera, winner of two straight, scaled 130 even.
Tickets for the event, promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, are available online at Ticketmaster.com.
Quick Weigh-in Results:
WBA Super Middleweight Championship, 12 Rounds
Kessler 167
Ward 166 ½
Light middleweights, 8 Rounds
Mayfield 151 ½
Santana 150 ½
Super middleweights, 6 Rounds
Hirsch 164
Celaya 166
Light welterweights, 4 Rounds
Martyniouk 136
Martinez 138 ½
Super featherweights, 4 Rounds
Crossty 130
Herrera 130 ½
Kessler-Ward Photo by Jan Sanders/Goossen Tutor Promotions
Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortega15rds@lycos.com.
WEIGHTS FROM OAKLAND
Mikkel Kessler 167 – Andre Ward 166 1/2
Q & A with Mikkel Kessler
By Anson Wainwright
Ahead of the much anticipated second night of Showtime’s Super 6 we caught up with WBA Super Middleweight champion Mikkel “The Viking Warrior” Kessler 42-1(32) who will be fighting on enemy soil against Andre “S.O.G” Ward 20-0(13). Kessler 30, is no stranger to fighting away from home winning in Australia against Anthony Mundine before losing to Joe Calzaghe in Wales. He debuted back in 1998 and went 34-0 over the following 6 years before he got his first title opportunity. He dually stopped Manny Siaca in seven. He followed that with 2 successful defences against Mundine & Eric Lucas before demolishing Markus Beyer in three to unify Beyer’s WBC crown with his WBA title. After turning back tough as nails Librado Andrade the stage was set for a fight with Calzaghe to recognise who the true champion was at 168. After a good start the Welsh Wizard changed his game plan and took over in the second half of the fight to beat Kessler. Not perturbed after 6 months off he reclaimed the WBA title that had been vacated by Calzaghe. He’s since made two successful defence’s. This will be Kessler’s toughest assignment since the Calzaghe fight and the toughest of Ward’s career so far. It promises to be a very interesting fight. Here’s what the Great Dane had to say.
Anson Wainwright – Firstly can you tell us about your relief about finally having a fight scheduled and getting back in the ring with Perdomo and shaking off the
ring rust after being out for nearly a year due to things beyond your control?
Mikkel Kessler – It feels great to be back in the ring. I love boxing, that’s my life.
Being out of the ring for such a long time wasn’t nice. I’ll be in great shape against Ward because I could keep the physical form up from the Perdomo fight.
Anson Wainwright – Whilst you obviously don’t want to get involved in a war of words with Mogens Palle. Can you tell us a little about how you see things with
regards him believing you are still contracted to him?
Mikkel Kessler – Please understand that I do not wish to speak about this matter at this
point – my lawyers are taking care of this and I have full faith in them. I am focussing on boxing.
Anson Wainwright – You will be fighting Andre Ward on 21 November in Oakland,Ca, what do you know about him and what do you think about fighting on his home territory?
Mikkel Kessler – It’s tough but I have done it before, all over the world. I look forward to it and it is additional motivation for me. I have fought on the road before, like in front of 55,000 fans in Wales against Joe Calzaghe, so that is no problem for me.
Anson Wainwright – What is your opinion on this revolutionary move by Showtime?
Mikkel Kessler – I am excited to get started in this great tournament. That is the best
thing that could have happened to boxing and also to us boxers! I am very grateful to Showtime and Kalle Sauerland to put this together. It is an honour to participate in this.
Anson Wainwright – What did you think of the first two fights in the Super Six? Where you impressed with Abraham and who did you think won the Froch-Dirrell fight?
Mikkel Kessler – Yes, I was impressed by Abraham, it was a great victory, but Taylor also fought a great fight. It was a perfect opening for the tournament. I think the Froch-Dirrell fight was very close – they are obviously both very good boxers.
Anson Wainwright – You are the favourite to win the Super 6’s do you think that is added pressure on you? How do you deal with that? Who else do you think will do well in the tournament?
Mikkel Kessler – There is always pressure but I have been champion for quite a while so I am used to it. I think we are all favourites because it is the six best boxers, but I have the most experience so I am confident of winning it all.
Anson Wainwright – When you were in tour with the other guys in America and then in Berlin & Copenhagen did you all get on well or did some guys not see eye to eye?
Mikkel Kessler – It was good to meet them and hang out with them.
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have any message for your fans around the world?
Mikkel Kessler – Thanks for your support and I am sure Saturday’s fight will be exciting!
Thanks for your time Mikkel, good luck on Saturday.
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
FOUR SUPER SIX FIGHTERS MAKE PREDICTIONS ON WINNER OF MIKKEL KESSLER-ANDRE WARD FIGHT
European Boxers Taking Kessler; Americans Are Picking Ward
To Win Nov. 21 Group Stage 1 Match On SHOWTIME®
NEW YORK (Nov. 19, 2009) — The two Europeans boxers – victorious over their American opponents in the first round of the Super Six World Boxing Classic – are predicting Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler will beat Andre “S.O.G.” Ward in the final Group Stage 1 matchup Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
The two Americans who suffered losses don’t see it that way and are for Ward. “I’m going with Ward,” said Andre Dirrell, after his Group Stage 1 defeat to Carl Froch in October. Dirrell, along with Froch, Arthur Abraham and Jermain Taylor, will be ringside Nov. 21 to catch all the action. “Ward has the ability to win,” continued Dirrell. “This is his biggest fight so he’ll have to stick to his game plan but I’m going with him.”
The matchup between World Boxing Association (WBA) super middleweight champion Kessler and hometown, undefeated hero is a scheduled for 12 rounds and will be for Kessler’s WBA 168-pound title.
“Mikkel Kessler will win because of his strength and ring experience,” said Froch. “I’m looking forward to it because obviously it’s a fight that has major implications for me in the Super Six tournament. Andre Ward has that terrific amateur pedigree, winning the Gold medal at the Athens Olympics. He’s had some good wins in the pros but we will only find out how good he really is when he steps in there with Kessler.”
Taylor, who was knocked out by Abraham in the 12th round on Oct. 17, is behind Ward 100 percent. “I’m pulling for the U.S. guys. I can’t say why from a boxing standpoint but we are all U.S. Olympians. It’s a matter of those guys (European fighters) being cocky. Carl Froch has been very cocky and he knows his boxing skills are nowhere close to mine. Kessler is a pretty relaxed guy. He’s not too cocky by any means. I like him a lot but I am still going for our guys.”
Added Abraham: “Because I have not ever seen an Andre Ward fight live or on tape, I cannot say much. But Kessler is the favorite in this fight nevertheless. I have seen Kessler fight many times and he is very clever and very strong. I have to give the advantage to Kessler because of his strength, experience and cleverness.
“Andre Ward is not to be underestimated. He is very good. He is technically very sound and can also punch hard as he has shown in previous fights. But I hope that my new stablemate, Mikkel Kessler, wins.
He is very versatile, very experienced and he has a great vision/anticipation in the ring. And most importantly, the “Viking Warrior” is a true fighter. If you ask me for a prediction, I would go with a points
victory for Mikkel. The boxing fans can certainly be thrilled about this fight because it puts together two of the best technicians in the division.”
Froch, who won a decision over Dirrell, also on Oct. 17, said, “Ward will have the benefit of home advantage, which I’m sure will play its part but Kessler is very experienced and has won on the road before so I’m sure he won’t see it as an issue. I’m hoping for my own selfish reasons that Kessler wins because then he’ll still have the WBA belt. I’m fighting him next so if he beats Ward then it means that our fight becomes a massive WBC and WBA unification clash and I can get my hands on his belt.”
Abraham said he now gets recognized just walking the streets after beating Taylor. “The victory over Jermain Taylor was great. If you beat big names, you get a lot of recognition, and I notice that when walking through the streets. Not just boxing and sports fans follow the Super Six tournament but also a lot of normal people who would not necessarily watch boxing on TV. They are all interested in the Super Six because it is the best fighting the best.”
MIKKEL KESSLER AND ANDRE WARD SUPER SIX FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Downtown Oakland City Hall, Oakland, Calif.
OAKLAND, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2009) — World Boxing Association (WBA) super middleweight champion Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler of Denmark and undefeated Andre “S.O.G” Ward of Oakland participated in the final press conference Wednesday for their Super Six World Boxing Classic Group Stage 1 showdown this Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
The presser, which emanated from the Frank Ogawa Plaza at downtown Oakland City Hall, included a performance from the cheerleaders and band of Ward’s alma mater, Hayward High School, and a presentation by Hayward High Vice Principal Andrea Hayes, who gave Ward a Hayward High T-Shirt and an “honorary diploma’’ for his outstanding work in and out of the ring “on behalf of the students and staff at Hayward.’’
Kessler will enter the ring for the 12-round match in three days with a record of 42-1 with 32 knockouts. Ward is 20-0 with 13 knockouts.
This is the first Super Six fight in America. The Europeans held serve in the opening Group Stage 1 fights Oct. 17 on SHOWTIME, Arthur Abraham knocking out Jermain Taylor and Carl Froch outpointing Andre Dirrell in Germany and England, respectively.
Tickets for this Saturday’s event, priced at $300, $150, $65 and $35, are available at the Oracle Arena Box office Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and fight day starting at 10 a.m., online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000, or through Ticketmaster outlets at the following outlets: select Macy’s stores and select Ritmo Latino stores. All information can be obtained at www.ticketmaster.com.
The event is promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions and Sauerland Event in association with Antonio Leonard Productions. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. PT. The first non-televised fight is at 5 o’clock.
What the fighters and their promoters had to say Wednesday:
MIKKEL KESSLER
“I’ve been here before so I am loving it in California. I have thoroughly enjoyed my entire stay here, living in a nice house and training in Sacramento.
“I want to thank everyone involved in making this fight possible and for the nice words from their camp. But now I am ready to fight. I didn’t come all the way from Denmark to lose and I am fully prepared and 150 percent ready. I’m in better shape now than I’ve ever been.
“I have had only one defeat and that was to Joe Calzaghe and it still eats at me today. Even thinking about that fight makes me even more motivated. That’s why I am looking at this fight as a second chance to prove that I am the best.
“I hurt my hand and had only two weeks to spar for Calzaghe, but there will be no mistakes or excuses after this one. I may be 30 but I have a lot of fight left. Saturday night can’t come soon enough.’’
ANDRE WARD
”It’s about time. I approach all my fights the same. Every fight I had as an amateur, I took seriously. But obviously the stakes are much higher. I have prepared for a fight like this since I was nine years old.
“To see this kind of turnout today and the tremendous support I am getting only confirms what I know, and that Saturday will be a special night for me and the city of Oakland. There was a lot of buzz before my last fight here (in May on SHOWTIME), but there is a lot more excitement going around for this one.
“To have my alma mater come out today is extremely invigorating and I thank them very much. I go to the school and talk on occasion but I plan to go more often from now on.
“The feeling I get looking in the kids’ eyes, the feeling I get from them maybe thinking that, “hey, if he can make it, I can make it, too’’ is inspiring. It is more than just about boxing; it is about life and doing the right things to inspire kids, or fire them up, to make oneself want to be successful.
“If I can make a few change, it has been worthwhile. But it is also a two-way street. I thank God every day. That is who I am.
“No one expected me to win the Olympics. No one expected to me to get this far as a pro. But, now, if I win, it is because I’m supposed to, and if I ever lose, it’s a huge thing.
“I’m thrilled for everybody Saturday night and really anxious for the fight to be here.’’
PROMOTER DAN GOOSSEN OF GOOSSEN TUTOR PROMOTIONS
“It’s extraordinary to have promoters working together like we are in the Super Six. The real caveat is that this is what every sport needs.
‘In my opinion, this Saturday the two best super middleweights are going to face off against each other. I applaud Mikkel Kessler for coming to Andre’s hometown to defend his title.
‘It’s been a long road with Andre Ward to get here. (But) it’s the perfect time for Andre Ward. Every great fighter learns to hone their craft. On Saturday, Virgil Hunter is going to take recognition in being the top trainer who helped Andre hone in on his skills.
“Andre was homegrown when he went to the Olympics in 2004. He sacrificed. He has got his opportunity Saturday night. He is a respectable family guy, down to earth and a perfect fit for a respectable politician. He embodies all of those elements. Andre is going to make it fashionable to be a classy young man.
“Saturday night we will see Andre Ward bring the title not only home to Oakland but to American soil.’’
PROMOTER WILFRIED SAUERLAND OF SAUERLAND EVENT
“I am pretty sure the fight will not last as long as the press conference. It is a pleasure to be here and we will see a great fight Saturday. Ward is unbeaten and very strong, but his previous accomplishments, including the Olympic gold medal, will not help him against Mikkel Kessler. I have promoted five Olympic gold medal winners but that does not mean that you become a world champion, so Andre can try in his second world title fight to leave the ring as the winner. He is a strong fighter but he has never been in the ring with someone of Mikkel´s class.
“I have had two meetings with Dan Goossen and it is 2-0 for us at the time being so we are looking to make it 3-0 on Saturday.
“One thing I want to point out. We will not accept Dan´s choice of judges. He has done a great job to get his fighter three fights at home, but now he has appointed three judges from California. Needless to say, we will not accept his friends and colleagues judging this fight, so he better starts moving because it takes a while to bring in new judges.
“The WBA has written a strong letter to the Californian commission that the choice of judges is unacceptable but the Californian commission has been somewhat hard to reach. The WBA has been trying to contact them, sending faxes and everything. If this issue is not sorted, we can have a Super Six fight, but Mikkel´s world title will not be on the line.”
PROMOTER KALLE SAUERLAND OF SAUERLAND EVENT
“It’s great to be in Oakland. We’re very happy to be here. We expect a great fight and a great crowd. We hope the fans will be fair … hostile, but fair. But Mikkel has fought in front of 55,000 fans on the road so he’ll be ready. We have a lot of respect for Ward, who is a tough opponent, but Mikkel will beat him. He’s had the best preparation of his life and Ward will find out what that means on Saturday.”
“We are thrilled to have Mikkel on board at Team Sauerland. We have lost against him twice with our German fighters, Markus Beyer and Danilo Haussler, so let me tell you, I’m really pleased to be in Mikkel´s corner. I would not want to be anywhere else. The Viking Warrior will put on a great show on Saturday.”
GOOSSEN’S COMMENT ON JUDGES
“Our company (Goossen Tutor Promotions) has nothing to do with picking officials. Whoever the WBA and the commission appoint is what we go with…The only man I want to see walking out of the ring is the real champion without any sort of interference.”
WARD’S TRAINER VIRGIL HUNTER
“I have been working with Andre Ward since before his 2004 Olympic gold medal victory. My position is a little different from the Olympics.
“We have a formidable task in front us. Kessler’s a real champion; all accolades he gets, he deserves.
“Years ago, I got a call from a friend to turn on (TV). He said that the fighter that was on (Kessler) is going to turn boxing around. I did turn the television on and I was fascinated. I put Mikkel Kessler in my mental rolodex and my mind processed and unfolded and I began to develop a real respect for him.
“I knew this day would come (when Ward would come to face him) so I began following him and watching his fight against Calzaghe in Wales and I noticed two things: I kept waiting for him to make adjustments and he didn’t and I also noticed that he never stopped fighting.
“Pressure, more pressure, is what I kept hearing. I was disappointed last week when I heard a former publicist say Mikkel Kessler went to Wales with a bad back and broken hand. I wanted to hear that the best man won. I just want to say I don’t want to hear excuses that something broke or that something was out of place.
“We know what’s ahead of us. We know we got a real champ in our way and we know that things will never be the same after Saturday night.”
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