Following months of speculation, today, former five-time World Champion Mikkel Kessler announced his intentions to continue boxing and fight his way back to the top of the sport he loves.
“I’ve thought a lot about whether I should continue my career,’’ said Kessler. ‘’I became a father and I have a life outside of boxing that I really appreciate. I’ve got a special responsibility. So it was not a decision I took lightly.
‘’But I still feel I have something to prove. I hate to lose! And I lost my last fight against Carl Froch. Many thought that I would quit, but I owe it to myself and my fans to finish on top. My last performance showed that I still belong at the top. And I know that my fans believe in me.’
Erik Skoglund (18-0, 9 KOs) is the new EU Light Heavyweight Champion after an impressive points victory over Danish veteran Lolenga Mock (31-14-1, 12 KOs). The 22-year-old Swede stamped his authority on the battle early but found himself on the receiving end of a huge right from Mock in the third. However, he proved his chin as he beat the standing count and regained composure. He dominated the rest of the fight, working cleverly behind his jab and throwing well-timed combinations. The scores were 118-110, 116-112 and 117-110. “I am proud of Erik,” promoter Nisse Sauerland said. “That was a great win against a very strong opponent. Erik really proved his class tonight. There are great times ahead, for him as well as for Swedish boxing.”
Arthur Abraham (37-4, 28 KOs) is a man on a mission. On October 26, he defends the WBO Intercontinental Belt against Giovanni De Carolis (20-4, 10 KOs) in Oldenburg, Germany. However primarily, the 33-year-old wants to prove that he still has it in him to become again the WBO Super-Middleweight World Champion. Over a year ago, in August 2012, he won that very belt against Robert Stieglitz. But in March, he had to hand the title back to his fellow countryman due to a freakish eye injury.
Erik Skoglund (17-0, 9 KOs) is a man on a mission. At the age of 12, he wrote down a masterplan to become world champion one day. Ten years later, he is still undefeated on his way to glory. On Saturday night, the 22-year-old Swedish sensation faces Danish veteran Lolenga Mock (31-13-1, 12 KOs) for the European Union Light Heavyweight Title at the TRE-FOR Arena in Kolding, Denmark. In this interview, he speaks about his incredible journey, the showdown with the man who once knocked down former WBA Heavyweight Champion David Haye and his ever-growing Swedish fan army that will be supporting him in Denmark.
(Photo credit: Team Sauerland) There will be no world championship boxing inside the ring this Saturday in Stuttgart, Germany. With WBO Cruiserweight Champion Marco Huck (26-2-1, 25 KOs) sidelined due to a hairline fracture in his left elbow and not able to compete in a rematch with Firat Arslan (33-6-2, 21 KOs), the whole fight card is postponed to a later date.
Photos: Wende – Patrick Nielsen (20-0, 9 KOs) defended his WBA Intercontinental Middleweight Title and added the WBO Intercontinental belt to his collection by defeating Patrick Majewski (21-2, 13 KOs) in Frederikshavn, Denmark on Saturday night. The 22-year-old knocked down the “Machine” in the fifth with a left to the chin. The judges scored the fight 119-108, 119-108 and 118-109. “This was the best performance of Patrick´s young career,” promoter Nisse Sauerland said. “He dominated Majewski and showed his superior boxing skills. The future certainly is bright for Patrick.”
Pound-for-pound number one Cecilia Braekhus (22-0, 6 KOs) will defend her WBA, WBC and WBO Female Welterweight Titles against WBO Female Light Middleweight Champion Oxandia Castillo (12-0-2, 9 KOs) at the Nordic Fight Night in Frederikshavn on September 7. Here is the latest from the First Lady prior to the clash of champions.
Juergen Braehmer took another step towards another crack at a world title. On Saturday, the 34-year-old beat Stefano Abatangelo by unanimous decision (119:108, 119:108 and 115:111) in front of a sold-out home crowd at the Sport- und Kongresshalle Schwerin, Germany. “It was difficult to showcase my skills against Abatangelo as he has an awkward style,” said the light heavyweight contender who defended his European as well as his WBO International Title. “Still it was good for me to get some more rounds under my belt which will definitely help me in my next fight.” Braehmer is the mandatory to WBO Champion Sergey Kovalev.