Talented World Boxing Association (WBA) super middleweight champion Mikkel “Viking Warrior’’ Kessler of Copenhagen, Denmark, will make his eagerly awaited debut on SHOWTIME earlier than expected. One of the early favorites in the upcoming Super Six World Boxing Classic™, Kessler (41-1, 31 KOs) will make a mandatory title defense against No. 1 ranked Gusmyl Perdomo (16-2, 10 KOs) of Turmero, Venezuela, on a special Saturday primetime edition of ShoBox: The New Generation, on SHOWTIME, Sept. 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT (same day tape delay). The 12-round matchup, announced Monday, will be Kessler’s second WBA 168-pound title defense and his first start since Oct. 25, 2008. Sauerland Event will promote Kessler vs. Perdomo from MCH Messecenter Herning in Herning, Denmark, Kessler’s home turf. This is the first fight for Kessler since signing a new contract with Team Sauerland..
“I am happy to be back in the ring,” said Kessler, who is slated to face undefeated 2004 Olympic Games gold medalist Andre “S.O.G.” Ward on Nov. 21, in the first group stage of the talent-laden Super Six World Boxing Classic, a six-fighter super middleweight tournament.
“As the mandatory challenger, Perdomo deserves to fight for the title (but) I want to take my WBA belt into the tournament.
“(This) is the last obstacle that I need to overcome. I will be prepared and I will be ready. I will definitely not underestimate him.”
Perdomo is a capable, game southpaw who fights out of Germany. He has won two straight and seven of his last eight. He has never been knocked out.
Perdomo’s only defeats came on points to German contenders Mario Veit on a majority decision and to Dmitry Sartison, who would go on to challenge Kessler, in a tight fight the German-based Venezuelan lost by only one point on two of the scorecards and two points on the other.
ShoBox announcers Nick Charles and Steve Farhood will call the action. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including complete details on the Super Six World Boxing Classic, Strikeforce mixed martial arts telecasts, exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, and more, please visit the website at http://sports.sho.com.
About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. The growing list of fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Leonard Dorin, Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Joan Guzman, Juan Urango, David Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Malignaggi, Kendall Holt, Timothy Bradley and Bernard Dunne.