WBC super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler has been forced to vacate his title and withdraw from the Super Six after doctors have ruled him out of competition for the next 9 months. It is understood that Kessler has been suffering with a severe eye injury for some time, and at this point has no choice but to sit out the rest of the tournament and let it heal. The Dane was scheduled to fight Allan Green in his final group stage match on September 25th. The announcement was made this morning at a press conference in Denmark.
Showtime and the other promoters are left now with a awkward decision to make. The top 4 remaining fighters are matched up against each other. Green, who was a late substitute himself and is yet to register points on the board, is the one left without an opponent for stage 3. Is it fair to bring in another replacement at this late stage with everything so finely balanced? Say should Green go on to knockout a softer opponent that could see him qualify in place of one of Dirrell, Froch or Abraham, who will have each been through three tough battles. At the same time, Green answered the call when he was needed, he was guaranteed at least two fights, and you want to see him get what he’s entitle to as well.
Could they make the decision to call the group stages at this point, and then have the Dirrell/Ward and Froch/Abraham match ups as the semi finals instead. Perhaps They could then rearrange the Green vs. Kessler fight for next year, and have the winner of that get the first shot at the Super Six champion.
We will definitely have more on this story as it continues to develop.
I’d go straight to the final four. Sucks for Green, but he came in soft against Ward and I like the idea of him fighting Kessler in his first fight back with the winner getting a shot somewhere.
Man, this thing was going pretty solidly with the exception of JT too.
I don’t know if Bute is contractual tied to HBO, but working on the assumption that hes in play, would you break the bank and give him an offer he can’t refuse? Maybe offer him one bonus point to start with as being late entrant and title holder. That would mean as long as he won he would likely progress to the next stage. Could they pull a rabbit out of the hat that way?
I think too many people would be frustrated if they did it that way. They’ve been able to keep these promoters from killing each other and something like that may do a lot of harm.
But from a fight standpoint, it’d be stellar. I just don’t know if they want to rock that boat.
Yeah, I think theres going to be a lot of tired minds out there for the next few days until they come up with an adequate resolution. It’s tough to appease the fighters and promoters without letting down the fans.
Lou DiBella statement..
“First and foremost, I want to wish Mikkel Kessler a speedy recovery. Eye injuries are very serious, and I hope Mikkel does everything necessary to heal up and continue his career as the appropriate time.
“Obviously, all of Team Green is bitterly disappointed about not getting the opportunity to travel to Denmark for this great challenge. It is hard not to feel for Allan Green; this is the third training camp in the last year that he has had interrupted for various reasons beyond his control. In the coming days we will sit down with [Showtime Senior Vice President] Ken Hershman to discuss Allan’s future. We trust that Showtime will provide Allan with the opportunity to showcase his skills in a meaningful fight versus a world class opponent in the very near future.”
While I don’t want to read to much into it yet, the wording suggests he knows Green has drawn the short straw and is willing to work with them on this. I reckon he will make a deal for one or two good money fights down the line and bow out of the tournament now.
I agree with you.