Froch beats Kessler in thriller at the O2 Arena as Cobra avenges defeat to Dane with points victory in unification battle

By Jeff Powell  -  dailymail.co.uk

History talks with the war to end all wars.

Boxing fans around the planet will be glad to know that Carl Froch will fight on for even greater glory.

After winning his second epic battle with Mikkel Kessler in a cacophonous O2 Arena, 'The Cobra' raised his sights to the ultimate match of revenge and unification against Andre Ward.

More of that in due course when the bruises are healed.

For these extraordinary warriors of the ring and their exhausted audience there are weeks of thrilling reflection on this Saturday night in London when Britain’s No 1 boxer defended his world super middleweight title like Horatio at the Bridge.

Froch promised a fast start and it was as well that he had rounds in the bank before the explosion saw him and Kessler trading massive and many blows through the latter half of the 12 rounds.

Lesser men would have gone down from any a number of the barrages unleashed by both these gladiators.

Froch won it alright to avenge one of the two defeats which irritate him so much.

Revenge: Carl Froch beat Mikkel Kessler by unanimous decision at the O2 Arena on Saturday night

 

Respect: Kessler congratulates Froch after their epic 12-round contest

Kessler, if he does retire, goes out on his viking shield.

Froch is on an astonishing five-year run of elite level fights which began with him claiming the WBC title against Jean Pascal in 2008 and has seen him beat the likes of Jermain Taylor, Arthur Abraham and Lucian Bute.

The Briton won a tactical first round which ended with him enjoying success with his first sustained combination before Kessler answered back with a nice left hook before the bell.

More of the same in round two meant Froch was surely two rounds up and in the third both men threw big shots that missed.

Joy: Froch punches the air in delight as he celebrates his victory with his fans in London

Battle: Froch started quickly before Kessler worked his way back into the contest

 

Warriors: Froch and Kessler embrace at the end of their thrilling contest

The Briton landed an instinctive short right as Kessler advanced early in the fourth but Kessler caught him with an uppercut and two hard jabs in response. Froch landed with his first body shot of the fight but took a three-punch combination for his trouble seconds later as Kessler perhaps took the fourth.

Kessler began the fifth with a big left hook and followed it up with another soon after. A big right over the top was the Dane's best punch but Froch retorted with a right of his own. A left from Kessler to Froch's body was clearly low and earned him a warning before a big right and huge left rocked the Englishman's head both ways. 'The Cobra' sucked it up and took another left before countering with one of his own.

Kessler was hurt by a right in the eighth and goaded Froch in an attempt to hide the hurt. A single right was brilliantly timed as the home fighter seized control again. Kessler smashed in a counter right but Froch was breaking his man down. Kessler kept firing back and both connected with big power shots at the same time to leave the crowd on their feet at the bell.

Revenge: Froch made amends for his defeat to the Dane in 2010 on Saturday night

Home support: Carl Froch entered the ring to a hero's reception at the O2 Arena

Kessler did well in the ninth, landing a stiff three-punch combination early on, and scored with an excellent left hook to the body in the 10th before following it up with the same shot to Froch's head. The tough IBF champion barely blinked, instead firing back with wild but venomous right hands to take the round.

Kessler smashed Froch around late in the 11th, landing left hooks and massive rights in quick succession to dazzle his man and cut him over the left eye. Yet still Froch remained unbowed, firing back with rights of his own and bullying his man around the canvas as the bell rang.

The final round began to a standing ovation as both men touched gloves and went at it, going toe to toe for the full three minutes until the final bell brought them to a standstill. The two men embraced before the scores were read out, perhaps paving the way for a much-anticipated decider in the near future.

 

Source:  www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing/article-2331034/Carl-Froch-beats-Mikkel-Kessler-unanimous-points-decision.html