Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler agree rematch in UK in May
Last updated on .From the section Boxing
Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler have agreed terms for a rematch, to take place in the United Kingdom in May.
Froch said he was leaning towards Saturday 25 May as the date, while last week the BBC learned London's O2 had been pencilled in as the venue.
Nottingham's three-time world super-middleweight champion Froch was outpointed by Kessler in 2010.
"I feared Kessler had second thoughts about his promise but the man has come good on his word," said Froch.
"Our first fight was pure warfare. We went at each other for every minute of every round and the rematch promises to be even more fiercely contested.
"I seriously wish I was ringside myself for this fight because I'm gunning for revenge at all costs and the fight fans are in for a real treat."
In taking the fight against his Danish rival, Froch is likely to be stripped of his IBF title after the governing body ordered Froch to defend his title against Canadian Adonis Stevenson.
Kessler, 33, is the WBA's 'world' champion which ostensibly would give Froch, 35, the chance to become a four-time world champion.
However, American Andre Ward is the WBA's 'super' champion, meaning Froch-Kessler II would not be for a world title in the strictest sense.
Kessler said: "Since that first fight, I have become even stronger. I am fresh, I am healthy and I am ready to defeat him once again.
"I don't care where we fight, I said any time, anywhere. I plan to make my loyal Viking fans, as well as everybody else in Denmark, very proud once again. I am ready for war."
Froch said he had never felt so motivated for a fight, adding: "If Mikkel thinks he saw the best of me in Denmark then he is in for a rude awakening."
Froch became a three-time world champion with a brutal fifth-round stoppage of Lucian Bute in May and defended his crown with a third-round stoppage of Yusaf Mack in November.
The Kessler defeat is one of only two on his record, the other being a points defeat by Ward in 2011.
Kessler's last fight was a third-round stoppage of Northern Ireland's Brian Magee in December and he, too, has only been beaten twice, by Ward and Welsh legend Joe Calzaghe.
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Should be a different kettle of fish over in UK, I believe Froch is at his peak and confidence is high after his battering of Bute. His last dozen fights have been against world class opponents.
Heres to a win and a Ward rematch
It may be 2013 but some things never change...
(... and give me a ticket in exchange).
Hard to see one this not being FOTY.
Exciting times!
On a negative note though, this will definitely not be a world title fight as far as i'm concerned. The WBA having a champion/super champion is a complete farce - makes me angry just thinking about it!
Then the winner of that to fight Calzaghe!! - sorry got carried away...
Bear7657
10 Hours ago
I think Froch should drop the Calzaghe thing now
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Froch does'nt have a "thing" with Calzaghe, Calzaghe's fanboys have a thing with Froch, there's a difference.The only people that mention froch talking about calzaghe are joe's fanboys.
In total, Carl has mentioned Joe twice since he retired. And one of those comments were complimentary comments about his dancing!
@38. Froch was robbed in Super6? Don't you mean Andre Dirrell was robbed by a home town Nottingham decision?
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Giving a home verdict in a contentious bout is part of boxing. Always has been. I'm not saying thats right either, but it cant even be compared to fast tracking someone to a final in less fights than the others. At least Froch actually fought dirrell to get that decision.
I expect this fight to be just as good but reckon Froch will win. They could have a Gatti-Ward type trilogy!
...a rareity in boxing today
Whatever the previous result was and how they have both fought since, the fight will be worth the entrance money.