Q & A with Mikkel Kessler

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

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