by James Slater: Big punching super-middleweight Edison Miranda always had his doubts. In the days leading up to what eventually looked like the fight between he and Danish 168 pound fighter Mikkel Kessler being made, Miranda was worried the once beaten “Viking Warrior” would not fight him. Now, it seems, those doubts have been proven to have been prophetic ones..
Top scribe Dan Rafael, in speaking to Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing (Miranda’s promotional team) was informed that the fight has been called off with regards to the Kessler camp. Apparently, they made their decision some time yesterday. No reason has yet been given, but it is clear what Team Pantera will be thinking – that Kessler got scared.
Until an official announcement, we cannot be sure, of course. But according to Miranda’s people all the demands the Kessler camp made were adhered to in the fight’s contract.
“The Kessler people didn’t give me any explanation,” said Margules. “I’m outraged! If their explanation is that we didn’t meet their deal points, I have their points in writing. We gave them everything they asked for. They took the fight and then they backed out.”
So far, neither fighter has made any public comments, but no doubt such thoughts will be coming within the next few hours or so. It does seem, however, without being disrespectful to Mikkel Kessler or his team, that the Dane got cold feet. Miranda was reportedly already in training for the bout he clearly wanted.
Once again, it is the boxing fans who lose out, though. A genuinely intriguing and potentially explosive fight, Miranda-Kessler would have been a bout that determined a lot regarding the future of the super-middleweight division. Now that Joe Calzaghe has departed – possibly for good – Kessler, who has only even been beaten by the Welshman, is considered by many as the best fighter in the weight class. A win over Miranda would likely have earned the Dane another world title fight. Whereas a win for Miranda would have solidified the Columbian’s reputation as a genuine world class fighter.
Now all that has seemingly gone out of the window, and a fascinating fight is lost – maybe forever. Who knows? Maybe the fight can be salvaged for the future. But don’t bet on it. As angry as you may be as a fight fan, though, you can rest assured Edison “Pantera” Miranda is in a far worse mood than you are right now!