The stage is set for a historic night of boxing: “We are thrilled to stage the first of many big fight nights in Denmark and the whole of Scandinavia,” Kalle Sauerland said at today´s press conference at MCH Herning. Danish national hero Mikkel Kessler (41-1, 31 KOs) will defend his WBA Super-Middleweight Title against mandatory challenger Gusmyl Perdomo (16-2, 10 KOs) on Saturday night.

In Herning, the Viking Warrior will make his first fight in 10 months and the first in Denmark since his KO victory over Dimitri Sartison back in June 2008. The public interest has been gigantic. Almost 90 percent of the tickets were sold within 24 hours. A sell-out crowd of 6.150 fans will attend the clash. The Danish newspapers have dedicated countless of sports pages to their hero. “I am very grateful for the support of my fans in Denmark,” Kessler said. “I will pay back their confidence with a great performance. Of course there is a risk in taking this fight before the Super Six, but I am not the kind of guy who is avoiding risks. I am confident of success against Perdomo.” Kessler will have long-time coach Ricard Olsen and Jimmy Montoya in his corner. “Mikkel is in great shape,” Montoya said. “He hits very hard. He is a very dedicated student and he will win on Saturday. I never predict KOs, but I don´t think the fight will go the distance.”
Meanwhile, Perdomo coach Michael Timm believes his boxer got what it takes to spring a surprise. “Mikkel is a great champion but Gusmyl is here to take home the title. It is nothing unusual for us to go abroad and return with the belt. Gusmyl is in the shape of his life for the fight of his life. He can certainly pull off a major upset here.” And Perdomo added: “I am pleased to be here and I look forward to fighting Mikkel Kessler. He is a great fighter, a great champion. But this fight means so much to me. I am not intimidated by the sell-out crowd and the Kessler fans. I can beat him. And I will prove that on Saturday.”