By Padraig Ivory: Denmark’s sole remaining Viking Warrior, Mikkel Kessler, laid siege on Brian Magee’s World championship belt last Saturday night. Unlike his seafaring ancestors, Mikkel enjoyed the comfort of familiar terrain as he looted the Belfast man’s crown in front of a mob of blood thirsty Danish boxing fans.
Magee fell victim to an unrelenting assault that even chainmail armour could not deflect. The Irishman came into battle boasting the WBA super middleweight shield however he departed Danish shores with little more than a sports bag containing barely used boxing apparel.
Brian had been elevated to WBA champion status only a few weeks prior to the Kessler matchup but that reign was to prove short lived as the Danish superstar devastatingly reinstated his world level credentials. Despite winning the ‘regular’ version of the WBA’s title accolades it was evident to all present that there was nothing regular about the impressive Dane.
Magee entered the Herning ring brimming with confidence having previously claimed the scalps of two of Kessler’s pugilistic compatriots. These feats led to media headlines claiming the Irishman was the most hated man in Denmark. Mikkel’s performance satisfied the mob’s yearning.
Magee appeared to be coping well early in the first however a spearing right hand from the ‘Viking Warrior’ in round two forced the brave Irishman to bow to the powerful Dane. The 37 year old Magee touched down a second time before the round was out and it was clear that the Danish longboat was on course for an early arrival. Magee failed to recuperate sufficiently and round three rendered the judges redundant as referee Luis Pabon threw a life buoy Magee’s way and pulled him free of Kessler’s soul drowning body punches.
The 33 year olds resume reveals that of his forty eight professional expeditions only two have ended with fragment wounds. Both Joe Calzaghe and Andre Ward proved a campaign too arduous for the now 4 time world champion. A rematch with the latter is a much speculated encounter however ‘S.O.G’ appears almost untouchable in the 168 division.
Kessler appears willing to oblige Nottingham’s Carl Froch wish for a second contest after the ‘Cobra’ lost a highly entertaining and competitive bout during the Super Six tournament. Both men are in agreement that the fight should take place in England with Froch’s promoter Eddie Hearn planning an outdoor football stadium mega fight.
Will the ‘Viking Warrior’ leave English shores in 2013 having doubled his world title loot or will Froch unify the WBA and IBF straps?