WBSS super-middleweight competition update - Groves vs Eubank Jr set

Kessler declines wildcard:

Former world champion Mikkel Kessler (46-3, 35 KOs) tells Danish paper Jyllandsposten that he will not participate in the World Boxing Super Series despite being given a Wild Card to enter the tournament.

"I´m still training to get back to back in fighting shape," says Kessler to Jyllandsposten.

"After four years out, I am absolutely not ready to fight at the highest level yet. It would irresponsible of me to enter the tournament and I have always said that it is not because of the money I am coming back."

Kessler says he is ready to return in October or November but not against a top name. If all goes well the Viking Warrior says he might be able to fight the winner of the WBSS tournament next year.

This is probably bad news for the people behind the WBSS Tournament as Mikkel Kessler remains the biggest name in the Scandinavian market even four years after his last fight.

Kessler last saw action in 2013, when he lost a very competitive twelve round decision in a rematch with Carl Froch.

The veteran was a participant in the Super Six tournament from 2009 to 2010. He lost a decision in the first stage to Andre Ward and defeated Froch in the second stage of fights. On August 25, 2010,Kessler withdrew from the tournament citing an eye injury and his WBC world title was vacated. He didn't fight again until June of 2011.

 

Possibility that Callum Smith and Anthony Dirrell will be in, this is not confirmed however.

 

Excellent post, I agree completely.

I think there's a decent chance Smith and Dirrell enter, but I'd be very surprised if Ramirez and Hart are there. It will still be a decent tournament but nothing like the cruisers IMHO, where the winner must surely be considered a top p4p candidate if Usyk, Gassiev and Briedis are there. I think the sign that they offered Kessler entry shows that interest is nothing like the cruisers.

Latest update:

(confirmed)
Groves

(applied)
Korobov
Skoglund (very likely)
Jamie Cox

(showed interest)
Quinlan
Callum Smith
Anthony Dirrell

(rumours / other possibilities)
Abraham / Eubank Jr winner
Lucian Bute
Chudinov
Feigenbutz
Stefan Haertel
J'Leon Love
Patrick Nielsen
Martin Murray
Caleb Plant
Jose Uzcategui
Yildirim

(unlikely IMHO due to boxing politics or other reasons)
Benavidez
Andre Dirrell
Ramirez
Hart

(out)
DeGale
Zeuge
Kessler (declined)

 

I think Chavez Jr can make more money elsewhere, compared to getting booted out of the WBSS first round.

Erik Skoglund will probably be in, he's shown plenty of interest and announced that he was moving down to SMW + he's a Sauerland fighter.

 

He's 26-0 and has some decent wins against Liebenberg, Shala, and an old Glen Johnson (2014). He will also be a large SMW if he makes it without problems - a decent addition to the tournament.

However, it must be mentioned that he is not that powerful, and his skills are not that impressive IMHO. He did not have the best amateur career either.