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On May 25, IBF super middleweight champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch (30-2, 22 KO) and WBA super world middleweight champion Mikkel “The Viking Warrior” Kessler (46-2, 35 KO) will go to battle in a rematch in a super middleweight unification bout.
In 2010 they met in Kessler’s backyard of Denmark, a fight which he won the WBC super-middleweight title via unanimous decision. Following the fight—and nearly three years later—Froch is still adamant about Kessler being awarded the decision since the fight was in his home country. He has awaited his opportunity to show that he earned the ‘W’ in their first outing, and on May 25 in the UK, he will have his moment.
Despite going 4-1 since the defeat Kessler—his only loss coming at the hands of undefeated champion Andre Ward—Froch admits the loss still is fresh on his mind.
“It’s difficult to say how much this fight means to me,” said Froch. “This man inflicted my first ever pro defeat, and it’s tough to swallow. He took away my title, everything that meant everything to me at the time. This is a chance for me to set the record straight and come close to securing my legacy.”
In their first outing the two warriors put on a show for fans, and the rematch will most likely be more of the same as each fighter wants to go above and beyond in earning the win to show he is the more elite and skilled pugilist.
Since earning the decision victory over Froch, Kessler has stayed dominant and showed that he belongs amongst the top in the division, going 3-0 and stopping his opponent each time between the ropes.
“I have the utmost of respect for Carl, I feel we are very much alike,” said Kessler. “He is a great champion, a true warrior that has fought the best opponents all over the world in some of themost hostile places, just like me. Our first fight, especially the last round, showed what we are all about. Since April 2010 I have become even stronger. I am fresh, I am healthy, and I am ready to defeat him once again. I don’t care where we fight, I said anytime, anywhere. My loyal Viking fans will travel with me wherever this fight will be staged. I plan to make them, as well as everybody else in Denmark, very proud once again. I am ready for war!”
Froch-Kessler 2 will be a battle of wills; a fight where the man who wants to raise the belt at the end of the night more than his adversary will emerge the victor. Froch has more on the line, as he undoubtedly wants to avenge the loss and earn another shot against Ward.
“The rematch will be the same story during the early round—but the ending will be written as it should have been—and it’s an ending that the Dane’s are definitely not going to like—they are going to get the full ruthless Carl Froch experience,” said Froch.”
