What happened to Mikkel Kessler's return?

It was supposed to be official; he even held a press conference to announce it. Then his name was mooted for the new super middle tourney and he reportedly declined to participate. So, uh...what's the plan?

 

First was rumored to have a date with Schiller Hyppolite at light heavy last year (https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/mikkel-kessler-comeback.565995/) and then held a presser four months ago saying he was definitely making a comeback and hinting that he wanted into the Super Series. (https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/mikkel-kessler-comeback-will-be-announced-tomorrow.584433/) But not long after it was announced he opted not to enter the bracket.

 

That date with Hyppolite, btw, ended up getting taken by Avni Yildrim, who used it to springboard himself into a high-profile win over Marco Antonio Periban and capturing the WBC International title (held by Kessler way back in 2003/2004). Maybe use his good standing with that org to muscle his way into a shot at Yildrim to set up a big payday?

16-0 prospect is one heck of a "tuneup" but Kessler was a special fighter. (and we have to assume his eye at least is no longer a going concern or he wouldn't be doing this)

 

To that point, Kessler went through a series of medical tests in June and was cleared by the Danish commission as 100% fit to compete...

 

Forget about Hyppolite, how about the more dangerous Haitian-Quebecois (and contemporary star of Kessler in their heyday), Jean Pascal?

Always thought it would've been fun back then an no less so now...and nothing to lose for either, really. No reason not to lay it all on the line. Plus they have a mutual rival in the Cobra. Probably the best three fights of Froch's career.

 

If he is still on form enough to convincingly beat the semi-shot Pascal it sets up HUGE money in the great white North versus either Stevenson or Bute.

 

..and yes I realize Bute is at least as shot as Pascal and on a worse skid but he remains a bigger draw...and the feeling of nostalgia from when everybody wanted to see Bute vs. the Super Six guys (especially early presumptive favorite Kessler) will mean this will sell out any arena in Montreal.

 

So that's why they went to all the bother of teasing and then having a presser and then undergoing (and passing) medicals?

 

Ah, you mean in sparring? Young nobodies getting the better of him, that sort of thing? Plausible.