COPENHAGEN, Denmark (Aug. 25, 2010) – Team Sauerland regrets to inform the boxing world
that WBC Super Middleweight Champion Mikkel Kessler has been forced to pull out of the Super
Six World Boxing Classic due to an eye injury. His title defence against Allan Green in Herning,
Denmark on September 25 has been cancelled.
“This is the most disappointing moment of my boxing career,” Kessler said. “After defeating Carl
Froch, I was on the way to win the tournament, so pulling out now really hurts. The eye problem has
bothered me since the beginning of the Super Six in my preparation for the bout against Andre
Ward. It also bothered me in the fights against Ward and Froch, and in my training for the fight
against Green it has become unbearable. I have consulted leading experts in Denmark and
Germany and they have advised me to take a break from boxing so that the problem can heal. I
have been assured that it will heal completely and that I will be back in the ring next year. As a fair
sportsman, I do not want to delay the Super Six, which is still the best thing that has happened to
boxing for a long time. I wish my fellow contestants the best of luck – may the best man win. I will be
there to fight the winner in 2011.”
SHOWTIME Sports Executive Vice President Ken Hershman expresses his disappointment for
Kessler but assures the boxing fans around the world that the tournament will go on.
“I commend Mikkel Kessler for his decision,” said Hershman. “He has made a wise choice in light of
his doctors’ recommendations and he is showing tremendous respect for his fellow competitors and
for the tournament format itself.
“We will publicly address how this turn of events affects the tournament in the coming days. I
assure you we will make the best of this scenario. In fact, I have been aware of Mikkel’s situation for
a few days and I have a vision for how we can proceed that will enhance the excitement of the
tournament. First, I must have some internal discussions but mark my words, the drama of the
Super Six will be unrelenting and we will crown a champion in the early part of 2011.”
Promoter Kalle Sauerland said Kessler did “absolutely the right thing.” He stated: “You can recover
from losing in the ring but you cannot recover from losing your health. There is nothing that is of
bigger importance than the boxer´s health. As much as we regret to see Mikkel pulling out, he was
left with no other choice. He should take all the time in the world to recover. He can take comfort in
the fact that he looked reborn in his last bout. Once he is recovered, he will continue where he left
off. The Viking Warrior will be back.”
Added Team Sauerland General Manager Chris Meyer. “We are saddened to see Mikkel pulling out
but his health is more important than anything he could win inside the ring. The WBC will probably
make him “champion emeritus” so that he can fight against the reigning champion once he is ready
to come back.”
Highly-reputed eye specialist Professor Dr. med Gerhard Lang, who is the Director of the Eye
Hospital at Universitätsklinikum Ulm and also served as the 2010 World Ophthalmology Congress
President, examined Kessler and believes a proper rest is all the “Viking Warrior” needs. “Mikkel
said he has been bothered by problems with his vision during the fights against Ward and Froch as
well as in the training in the build-up to these fights. There is a weakness of the superior oblique
muscle of his left eye. To continue boxing, the muscle needs a proper rest, meaning no fighting or
sparring for nine months. After this break, a complete recovery is expected.”
For information on all SHOWTIME Sports telecasts, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video
and photo galleries from its events and complete information on the Super Six World Boxing
Classic, please visit the website at http://www.sports.sho.com
