06.01.06 – By Per Ake Persson: Danish media have taken a big interest in WBA 168 lb ruler Mikkel Kessler, who is in final preparations for his showdown against Canadian Eric Lucas. Most interviews concentrate on the “human aspect” but I concentrated on boxing when I caught the champ on his cellphone after a workout January 5.
How is training going?
Very well thank you, we close out the sparring on Saturday and I´m in great shape.
How many rounds of sparring will you have done come Saturday?
I believe I will have done 160 rounds by then..
How many rounds did you do before facing Anthony Mundine in June?
Well, I had some sparring before injuring my back (that led to a postponement of the fight), and then I did a few rounds in Australia just before the fight. All in all I think I did 30 rounds.
30 rounds? And you went 12 hard rounds with Mundine?
Well, I was I very tired at the end. But I won clearly and for this fight I´m closing in on 100% of my ability.
How do you plan to fight Lucas?
I´ve studied Lucas in some of his fights. He´s strong, got a good workrate, keeps coming. I will try to work him over from the outside, keep the distance and counter him. It´s my biggest fight yet but I´m ready for it.
You have been trained by Ricard Olsen ever since you started boxing, what does he mean to you?
He always tells me to do exactly what he says. That is of course a lot easier said than done but I try … (laughs)
There are some interesting matchups coming up, what´s your pick on Lacy vs Calzaghe?
Difficult to call but I think Jeff Lacy will win. Calzaghe might over the hill and Lacy could be a little bit stronger.
Mundine vs Green?
Green. No doubt about it – unless of course he puts up a poor performance like he did in the second fight with Beyer.
Speaking of Beyer, the WBC champ, what do you say of him?
He´s the one I want! He´s pretty good of course, very experienced, a southpaw, but I feel he is well over the hill.
On the undercard to your fight against Lucas there´s an interesting all Danish fight between Anders Hugger Nielsen and Martin Nielsen, what do you say about that one?
Martin, my gymmate and good friend, will win, he punches too hard for Hugger. I sparred with Anders, he´s very good technically but I think Martin is too strong for him.
Which was your best performance this far?
When I fought Siaca (w tko 8 ), no doubt about it. Everything I did worked out that night.
What do you like to do outside of boxing?
I like to spend time with my girlfriend and our dog. I also try to learn Spanish and well, I always do something. And I´m never out of training.
Is it correct that you´ve been residing in Malmoe, Sweden?
That´s right, I lived there for awhile but I did all my training in Copenhagen.