Eye Injury Forces Kessler Out
Of Super Six World Boxing Classic
SHOWTIME® Vows The
Tournament Will Continue
Press Release: 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
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