Kessler named WBC Emeritus Champion
Mikkel Kessler, who recently dropped out of the popular Super Six tournament, has been named World Boxing Council “Champion emeritus” by the council. The title means that he is no longer the WBC super middleweight champion but that he has the right to challenge the titleholder as soon as he has recovered from an eye injury.
Kessler left the Super Six tournament in shambles when he announced his withdrawal, making him the second original contestant to drop out. Doctors advised him to avoid competition for nine months, after sight problems with his left eye became “unbearable.”
Kessler was awarded the title after defeating Carl Froch in a twelve-round decision back in April.
It is expected that Kessler will challenge the winner of the Super Six tournament, which is expected to conclude in the summer of 2011. Since Kessler gets first shot at the WBC titleholder, other titleholders and contenders Lucian Bute and Jean Pascal may have to wait for their own opportunity.
Michael Marley of the Boxing Examiner speculated that Kessler’s injury was career-ending and that he will not return to boxing. Kessler has not confirmed.
The vacant WBC title will be decided in a semi-final bout between Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell, which has yet to find a venue despite its upcoming date of 25 September. There have been talks about the bout being delayed but nothing has been announced.
Gary Shaw, Dirrell’s promoter, recently said that he has been put “on notice” by the broadcasting company Showtime that he has to find a venue for the anticipated date to avoid a breach of contract. He said: “I do know that Goosen [Ward’s promoter] and me have been put on notice [talking about from Showtime] that the fight has to go on or we would be in breach.”
The winner of Ward-Dirrell will defend against the winner of Carl Froch-Arthur Abraham for the accolades of the tournament.
Tags: