Mikkel Kessler beats Carl Froch
The sleepy Danish town of Herning was once known for being the hub of the Danish textile industry. On Saturday it played host to a blood-and-guts battle between Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler as the pair embroidered a classic battle into the rich tapestry of boxing history.
Kessler triumphed taking both Froch’s WBC super-middleweight belt and his undefeated record. The Englishman played his part in a thrilling and brutal encounter, but he just fell short of “The Viking’s” high standards.
The contest went back and forth more times than the QEII, a sensational war and a great advert for boxing.
Much was made of the fact the fight was in Kessler’s home town and Froch went into the match-up knowing that if he wasn’t going to knockout “The Great Dane”, then he needed to put in a dominating performance. Froch showed guts bravery and a warrior’s instinct but unfortunately for him Kessler matched him in kind.
It was ruled a unanimous decision which in no way reflects the good word done by “The Cobra” who has subsequently claimed that had the fight been in England he would have won. Home-town decisions are notorious in boxing and the cards for this one reflected a bias, you can’t argue too much with Guido Cavalleri’s 113-115, while Daniel Van de Wiele’s 112-116 hinted at favouritism. But Belgium judge Roger Tilleman should hang his head in shame, how he scored the bout 117-111 is beyond belief, he should be struck off for that, or at least his guide dog should be. A six-round swing is lunacy, it hardly disparages the myth of judges favouring the local, Froch wasn’t robbed on the cards but he was insulted.
The frantic tone of the night was formed from the first bell. Both fighters came out at a rapid tempo and the first four rounds were anybody’s for the taking. Both pugilists tried to be the aggressor with Froch counter-punching Kessler's attacks well, but the Danish brawler appeared in bullish mood and when he landed combinations they seemed brutal.
The turning point, certainly for Froch, occurred in the fifth round. After landing a three-punch combo The Cobra sent Kessler down, the challenger rolled over on his back like a toddler at play-school, however it was ruled a slip, a point of debate that could have made all the difference come the end. It was probably the right choice by the ref, however Kessler was shaken and Froch was presented with an opportunity as the Dane swayed a little, but The Cobra stood off as if his fangs had been blunted and the chance passed.
Kessler was buoyed on by the crowd to bounce back following his slip, something he did in emphatic style, the thunderous sixth, seventh and eighth rounds were most definitely his. Throughout the bout Kessler was behind a trademark stiff left jab and Froch never found an answer for this. All he could do is snarl at the contender like a cat looking into a mouse hole. The Dane began to work the right as well, much to his public’s jubilation, but Froch managed to absorb it like a sponge. He was forced back, bullied around the ring and any attempts at hitting back were futile as Kessler unloaded bombs in The Cobra’s direction.
By the eighth a cut had appeared on Froch’s nose and he looked in even more serious trouble when a huge right from the Dane came crashing down and wobbled his legs like jelly.
Something special was required in the last quarter and like a champion he began fighting for his life, taking the fight to Kessler. He began to rally and opened up a big cut above The Viking’s left eye, a remnant from his encounter was Andre Ward. All of a sudden the Nottingham-native was back in with a shout as tried to work the wound, it was nasty looking but held up well
As the bell rang for the final round both troopers were still not giving an inch, they went toe-to-toe as the fight became a brutal barrage of big hits and bravery. Kessler continued pushing forward throwing combinations, Froch tried to match him, but there was no chance of a repeat of his spectacular finish against Jermaine Taylor. It was rip-roaring stuff and not for the first time in the fight Froch landed the bigger shots, but Kessler was more accurate and prolific.
When the bout reached its conclusion Kessler screamed to the skies in exaltation. He, his corner and the crowd knew the local hero had done enough, while Froch and his team appeared subdued. In truth Kessler had probably shaded it, but this was as close a fight as could be.
Justice wasn’t served on the cards, a unanimous decision a surprise, the numbers a farce. A bitter pill for Froch to swallow, he had problems with preparation in terms of the volcano ash and a perforated eardrum, but he still put in a h**l of a shift, unfortunately he came up second-best. There’s no doubt he will forever rue not taking the opportunity to finish Kessler in the fifth, it could be argued a true champion dispatches opponents when the opportunity arises and Froch was lacking a finish all night.
The challenge now for The Cobra is coming back from this defeat. It doesn’t get any easier either, Arthur Abrahams is top-draw and Froch will be in for a similar battle. His best chance might be replicating André Dirrell’s impression of Didier Drogba, a dive and roll that got the Armenian-born German disqualified.
The Super Six World Boxing Classic has proved to be first rate entertainment for spectators; sadly it could go down as the competition that exposed Froch’s flaws.
To prove himself the best fighter at 168lbs, The Cobra desperately needs to find his venom once more.
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