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39-678: The competitors entered into the tournament were then-WBA Super Middleweight Champion Mikkel Kessler , then-undefeated WBC Super Middleweight Champion Carl Froch , 2004 Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward , former middleweight champions Jermain Taylor and Arthur Abraham , and 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Andre Dirrell . Taylor and Kessler withdrew during the tournament and were replaced by former light heavyweight champion Glen Johnson and super middleweight contender Allan Green . The first matches took place on October 17, 2009. After three group stages, two semi-final matches were set. Ward defeated Abraham in

78-479: A close fought contest against Andre Dirrell . Froch defeated Kessler by unanimous decision on 25 May 2013, by 118-110 116-112 115-113 as he controlled Kessler with his jab for large parts of the fight. Kessler caught Froch with a big right hand in the 11th round to wobble him, but it was too late in the fight. On 1 February 2015, Kessler announced that he was in a "state of retirement" via social media. Kessler came out of retirement on 31 March 2017. On 21 June, it

117-464: A decision was made to have Ward fight Sakio Bika in a non-tournament bout. After losses in his last two round robin matches, Arthur Abraham elected to take a tune-up bout with Croatian boxer Stjepan Božić before his semifinal match against Andre Ward. Mikkel Kessler Mikkel Kessler (born 1 March 1979) is a Danish former professional boxer who competed from 1998 to 2013. He held multiple super-middleweight world championships, including

156-456: A hard right hand in the first round. Late in 2012, Kessler went up against Brian Magee of Northern Ireland for the WBA (Regular) super middleweight title. Two times in the 2nd round Brian Magee went to the floor after hard bodyshots from Kessler, and 24 seconds in the third round it was all over, when Kessler landed another hard bodyshot to Brian Magee . On 15 January 2013, it was announced that

195-464: A match that was called "a classic" and "one of the best matches in Danish boxing ever." The contest went the distance and Kessler was handed a unanimous decision with scores of 115–113, 116–112 and 117–111. With the win, Kessler became a two time WBC Champion, handing Carl Froch his first defeat in the process. Froch later stated that he'd suffered a minor ear injury during training and he felt he would've won

234-560: A non-tournament bout, which created the possibility that the WBA Championship could have been removed from the tournament. (Ward did defeat Bika, so the WBA Championship remained in the Super Six tournament). On August 25, 2010, Mikkel Kessler withdrew from the tournament citing an eye injury. On September 6, 2010, the WBC vacated its Super Middleweight Championship, announced that Kessler will be

273-473: A record of 44 wins and three losses. He won the 1995 European Cadet (15-16 age group) Championship, 1996 and 1997 Danish Junior Championships, the 1996 Nordic Amateur Championship, and in his last amateur bout won the 1998 Zealand International Tournament after stopping all 3 of his opponents. Kessler originally campaigned as a light middleweight and then middleweight for the first 22 fights of his career. After 3 years and 22 fights, Kessler settled in

312-682: A rematch between Mikkel Kessler and Carl Froch was going to take place on 25 May 2013 at The O2 Arena in London . There will be two belts on the line, Kessler's WBA (Regular) and Froch's IBF title. Kessler won the last showdown between the two boxers, in Herning , Denmark . That time Froch was an undefeated WBC title holder, and they were both fighting in the Super Six World Boxing Classic . The faced each other at stage 2, after Kessler lost his first fight against Andre Ward , and Froch won

351-399: A title he can come back and become champion again, he did that after our fight so now he’s a three time world champion. Anybody that can win a world title three times and only have two losses in the process says a lot. He’s a great fighter and I give him a lot of credit and I have a lot of respect for him." On 25 August Kessler announced he was withdrawing from the Super Six tournament due to

390-499: Is mentioned by name in the Danish band Volbeat 's song " A Warrior's Call " with the lyric "The Viking warrior Mikkel Kessler will now brand his name in the back of your head, yeah..." International Boxing Federation The International Boxing Federation ( IBF ) is one of four major organizations recognized by the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) which sanctions professional boxing bouts. The others are

429-719: The Schulz-Foreman fight , but had settled for the lesser amount of $ 200,000 (half of which was never paid). Arum was sanctioned and fined $ 125,000 by the Nevada State Athletic Commission . Boxing promoters Cedric Kushner and Dino Duva also admitted to making similar payments to Lee. The IBF was under federal observation from Lee's conviction through September 2004. Former Michigan Boxing Commissioner, WBA vice-president, boxing safety advocate and IBF interim president Hiawatha Knight (October 22, 1929 – October 22, 2014) became president following Lee's conviction, and

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468-533: The World Boxing Association (WBA) title ( Super and Regular versions ) three times between 2004 and 2013, and the WBC title twice between 2006 and 2010. Kessler was born to a Danish father and an English mother, Ann, who hails from Salisbury , Wiltshire. He began his vocation early, training in boxing gyms at age 13. Kessler competed five years as an amateur (2/93-1/98). He finished his amateur career with

507-724: The World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO). The IBF was preceded by the United States Boxing Association (USBA), a regional championship organization like the North American Boxing Federation (NABF). In 1983, at the WBA's annual convention, held in Puerto Rico , Robert W. "Bobby" Lee Sr., president of the USBA, lost in his bid to become WBA president against Gilberto Mendoza. Lee and others withdrew from

546-505: The super middleweight division. Kessler continued his hard hitting streak, dispatching 6 of his first 7 opponents by KO, thereby improving his record to 29–0 with 22 KO. On 29 November 2002, Kessler fought for his first championship and defeated former WBC Super Middleweight Champion Dingaan Thobela over twelve rounds to become the International Boxing Association Champion. He gave up this belt to fight for

585-445: The IBF's recognition. It established the IBF as the third sanctioning body, and a legitimate organization. IBF men's world championship belts are red, whereas women's world championship belts are light blue. Despite achieving an appearance of legitimacy, subsequent to a three-year investigation started by 1996 charges levied by former heavyweight champion Michael Moorer ; IBF's reputation

624-500: The Parken Stadium against WBC mandatory challenger Librado Andrade . The fight was scored as a shutout (120–108) by all three judges. Kessler then met fellow undefeated champion, Welshman Joe Calzaghe , in a bout that would unify his WBA and WBC super middleweight championships with Calzaghe's WBO and The Ring titles. The bout took place at Cardiff 's Millennium Stadium on 3 November 2007, in front of over 50,000 fans (then

663-484: The WBC title should go to the winner of the Dirrell-Ward match. On October 6, 2010, a Showtime press release confirmed that the WBC would grant its championship to the winner of the rescheduled Froch-Abraham match. On September 13, 2010, it was announced that Carl Froch was suffering from a back injury and would have to delay his fight with Arthur Abraham, which had been scheduled for October 2. On September 29, 2010, it

702-546: The convention after the election, and decided to organize a third, world-level organization, to co-exist with the WBA and the WBC. Formed as USBA-International, the fledgling organization was renamed the International Boxing Federation on November 6, 1983, based in New Jersey , where its main offices remain. Bobby Lee had also been a New Jersey boxing commissioner until 1985, when, according to news reports, "he

741-473: The fight if it had been held in his home-country of England , but congratulated Kessler on his victory. Andre Ward later praised Kessler tremendously in an interview, calling Kessler "skill wise... the toughest I’ve fought so far." Ward went on to express admiration over Kessler's career and dispelling any criticism after his own victory over Kessler. "People want to put down Mikkel Kessler because of our fight but he’s proven himself. He’s proven that if he loses

780-663: The fight on short notice, winning the title. Kessler defended his title against Anthony Mundine in Sydney in June 2005 and Eric Lucas in January 2006. On 14 October 2006, Kessler was elevated to WBA Super Champion status after winning the WBC title in a unification battle against WBC World Champion Markus Beyer at the Parken Stadium . He won by knockout at 2:58 in round 3. Kessler defended his WBA (Super) and WBC titles on 24 March 2007, at

819-466: The final of the tournament on 17 December 2011 at Boardwalk Hall , in Atlantic City , New Jersey , United States. All bouts were scheduled for 12 rounds. The original format was based on a slate of six fighters who would compete throughout the group stage of the tournament, folding down to semi-final and final matches. The original format was adjusted due to numerous injuries and withdrawals amongst

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858-486: The first contender when he returns from his injury (naming him Champion Emeritus), and announced that it would grant its championship to the winner of the upcoming Group Stage 3 match between its number one contender, Dirrell, and the WBA champion, Ward, to be followed with a mandated WBC title fight against the winner of the Froch-Abraham match. The promoter for Abraham requested that the WBC rethink its determination that

897-456: The first, held on May 14, 2011. Froch defeated Johnson in the second, held on June 4, 2011. After Froch defeated Johnson, he was elevated to the number 2 rating by Ring Magazine. With Ward being rated number 1, the final pitted the number 1 and number 2 fighters against one another. This allowed for the Ring title vacancy to be filled at the tournament final. WBA Champion Ward beat WBC Champion Froch in

936-432: The group stage continued to the semifinals, matching the leader against no. 4 and no. 2 against no. 3. The winners of the semifinals then proceeded to the tournament final. The WBC Super Middleweight Championship and WBA Super Middleweight Championship were meant to be on the line for each of the champions' fights, resulting in the unification of the two at the conclusion of the tournament. Although this unification

975-449: The group stage, after the final Group Stage bout of November 27, 2010. For completeness, results for the three fighters who withdrew from the tournament are shown, though their relative standing in the tournament is not applicable (n/a). ^ indicates former participant, withdrawing sometime after Group Stage 1 ‡ indicates replacement participant, added sometime after Group Stage 1 A number of developments required multiple adjustments to

1014-670: The largest indoor boxing event in European history), and Kessler lost the unification bout via unanimous decision, with the judges scoring the fight: 117–111, 116–112, 116–112. After Calzaghe vacated the WBA title to move up to light heavyweight , Kessler was put in a match with Dimitri Sartison on 21 June 2008, for the vacant belt. Kessler knocked out Sartison in the final round to regain his title. Kessler successfully defended his title against Danilo Häussler by third-round knockout on 25 October and against Gusmyl Perdomo (16–2, 10 KOs) by fourth-round knockout on 12 September 2009, one minute into

1053-530: The more recognized WBC International title on 11 April 2003, versus Craig Cummings. Kessler won by a knockout in the third round. He defended his title on three occasions before finally hitting it big on 12 November 2004. His stablemate, Mads Larsen , another Danish World Class fighter, was set to challenge Manny Siaca for the WBA Championship in Copenhagen . Larsen was injured in training and Kessler took

1092-416: The original plans for Group Stage 3. As of August 12, 2010, a venue had not been chosen and ticket sales had not started for the scheduled September 25, 2010, bout between Dirrell and Ward. This was expected to result in a new date for the fight. Instead, on October 7, 2010, it was reported that Andre Dirrell withdrew due to an undisclosed injury. This resulted in a decision to have Ward fight Sakio Bika in

1131-412: The original six boxers, and the insertion of replacement boxers at different stages through the tournament. The competition started with a group stage where each boxer was meant to fight three times. A boxer would be awarded three points for a win by knockout or technical knockout , two points for a win on points (or by disqualification), one point for a draw and 0 points for a loss. The top four from

1170-494: The post fight interview that he couldn't get out of first gear due to the headbutts and excessive clinching from Ward, and that he was eventually blinded by one of Ward's headbutts which on the post fight replay showed Ward ram his forehead directly into Kessler's eye. The fight went to the scorecards and Ward was far ahead by scores of 98–92, 98–92 and 97–93 at the time of the stoppage. On 24 April 2010 Kessler returned to fight against Britain's undefeated WBC Champion Carl Froch ,

1209-536: The round. In November 2009 the WBA once again promoted him to Super Champion, this time prior to unifying any Super Middleweight titles. His first fight was against Andre Ward on 21 November 2009 for Kessler's WBA Super Middleweight Championship in the Super Six World Boxing Classic . On 21 November 2009 Kessler lost his championship to Andre Ward. The fight was stopped in the eleventh round due to cuts on Kessler's face caused by what were deemed as unintentional headbutts by Ward, five in total. Kessler expressed in

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1248-439: The worsening of the eye injury he suffered in his fight against Ward. According to Ekstra Bladet newspaper, Kessler stated he was seeing double. Doctors told him he must take a nine-month break from boxing. In 2012, Kessler moved up in weight class to light heavyweight . In May 2012, he fought Allan Green for the vacant WBC Silver Light Heavyweight title. Kessler won via knockout in the fourth round, after getting dropped by

1287-474: Was potentially jeopardized by the withdrawal of former WBC champion Mikkel Kessler and the non-tournament bout between WBA (Super) Champion Andre Ward and Sakio Bika which followed the withdrawal of Andre Dirrell , both titles remained in the mix following the end of the group stage. Top four fighters – by points – at end of the group stage entered the Knockout stage. Following table shows final results from

1326-594: Was reported that former IBF , IBO , Ring Magazine light heavyweight champion and former Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year Glen Johnson would replace Kessler in Group Stage 3. As part of their contracts with Showtime regarding the Classic, fighters are able to take non-tournament bouts if their schedule permits. Since Andre Ward already qualified for the semifinals and his planned opponent Andre Dirrell withdrew,

1365-438: Was ruined in 1999 with founder Lee's indictment for racketeering and other violations for taking bribes in exchange for high boxer rankings. Indicted on federal racketeering and racketeering conspiracy charges were "president, Robert W. Lee, 65; his son and IBF liaison, Robert Lee Jr., 38; former IBF executive and Virginia boxing commissioner Donald William Brennan, 86; and South American IBF representative Francisco Fernandez." Lee

1404-558: Was said that Kessler could be added to the World Boxing Super Series . Kessler passed on the Super Series and was looking to face Roamer Angulo on November. On 16 October, Kessler revealed he had been hit by Lyme disease and his return would be delayed until 2018. In February 2018, speaking to BT, Kessler said, "I just can't find the motivation to go through with it all," confirming he would stay retired. Mikkel Kessler

1443-486: Was subsequently convicted of money-laundering and tax evasion in August 2000, then sentenced, in 2001, to 22 months in prison and fined $ 25,000. In 2000, citing extortion , boxing promoter Bob Arum voluntarily testified to having paid IBF president Bobby Lee $ 100,000 in two installments in 1995, as the first half of a $ 200,000 bribe, through "middleman, Stanley Hoffman", adding that Lee had first demanded $ 500,000 to approve

1482-750: Was suspended and fined by the Ethical Standards Commission for accepting contributions from fight promoters and casino executives." The IBF's first world champion was Marvin Camel , a former WBC world cruiserweight champion who won the IBF's belt in the same division. During its first year of existence the IBF remained largely obscure, but by 1984 it decided to recognize Larry Holmes , Aaron Pryor , Marvin Hagler and Donald Curry , already established champions from other organizations, as IBF world champions. In Holmes' case, he relinquished his WBC title to accept

1521-480: Was the first woman president of any world governing boxing organization. In 2001, Marian Muhammad assumed the presidency, followed by Daryl J. Peoples, who remained president as of 2018. The IBF ran the "1st Annual Convention of IBF Muaythai" in Bangkok on 20–21 December 2017. Daryl Peoples, IBF president, attended the convention. The new champions of IBF Muay Thai were crowned in three weight divisions. In response to

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