Event Summary
In a career-defining performance, undefeated hometown favorite Andre Ward (21-0, 13 KOs) put the U.S. on the board in the Super Six World Boxing Classic and captured the WBA super middleweight title with a dominant 11th-round technical decision over Denmark's Mikkel Kessler (42-2, 32 KOs) in their Group Stage 1 bout. Read More
An exciting, one-sided match was stopped at 1:42 of the 11th round by the ringside physician, Dr. Smith Ketchum, due to cuts around both of Kessler's eyes. After 10 completed rounds, Ward was ahead by the scores of 98-92 on two of the scorecards and 97-93 on the other.
A raucous, pro-Ward crowd of 10,277, which included Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Hall of Famer Herschel Walker, Metallica drummer and Kessler fan, fellow Dane Lars Ulrich, Super Six fighter Andre Dirrell and Strikeforce Mixed Martial Arts stars Scott Smith, Josh Thompson and Gilbert Melendez, turned out at Oakland's Oracle Arena for what became a virtuoso performance by Ward.
Kessler entered the scheduled 12-round fight as a co-favorite to win the tournament and a 3:1 favorite to beat Ward, but after a scintillating performance, Ward has perhaps stamped himself as the one to beat.
"This was my dream come true and right now I'm dreaming," said an ecstatic Ward, who won an Olympic Games gold medal for the United States in 2004. "It may take a while for all of this to sink it, but I am enjoying it all. This is a moment I'll never forget."
Heading into Saturday, the tournament had been an all European affair with Arthur Abraham and Carl Froch defeating Americans Jermain Taylor and Andre Dirrell in Germany and England, respectively, in their Group Stage 1 fights last Oct. 17 on SHOWTIME. But the U.S. is now on the board, thanks to Ward, who made it three consecutive hometown favorites to win in the Super Six. Standings after Group Stage 1 the six-fighter, round-robin tournament: Abraham (three points); Ward and Froch (two points apiece); and Kessler, Taylor and Dirrell (zero points).
Upcoming Group Stage 2 matchups (dates to be announced): Abraham vs. Dirrell; Froch vs. Kessler; and Ward vs. Taylor.
Ward effectively switched from orthodox to southpaw, consistently beat Kessler to the punch, never gave the Dane a moment to relax and bloodied the defending champion around both eyes to the delight of the fans who chanted "USA, USA" on several occasions.
"He never hurt me," Ward said. "I was a little surprised that they stopped it when they did. I had just connected with a big right hand and would like to have seen what would have happened if the round had continued.
"I felt like it was my time. We were not intimidated by Kessler's record. Everyone felt that we got the bad draw in the first round. We never believed that. We beat the top guy.
"This win is as much for me as it is for Virgil Hunter. He has an Olympic gold medal with me and now he has a world championship.
"There were two accidental butts. I am not a dirty fighter. Everyone knows that. I'm ready to go and take the next step.
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At the Oracle Arena in Oakland California, the next match in the Super Six World Boxing Classic will begin with a visual spectacle to match the hype of the tournament.
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In a scintillating performance, undefeated hometown favorite Andre Ward (21-0, 13 KOs) captured the WBA super middleweight title with a dominant 11th-round technical decision over Denmark's Mikkel Kessler (42-2, 32 KOs) in the Group Stage 1 Super Six World Boxing Classic bout for both boxers Saturday on SHOWTIME.
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On the streets of Oakland, Andre Ward trains and finds his inspiration in the city and its people.
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In the gym and at home, this is a day in the life of Danish boxer Mikkel Kessler as he trains for his November 21st match.
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Visit this photo gallery daily for new photos throughout fight week as Kessler and Ward prepare for their Super Six showdown in Oakland.
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In the latest episode of Fight Camp 360°, the all-access coverage continues. Tempers flare between Froch and Dirrell, while the fight camps of Mikkel Kessler and Andre Ward prepare for November 21st.
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Showtime Sports brings you the highlights from the first stage of the Super Six tournament. See what the boxing world is buzzing about in this recap of Abraham vs. Taylor and Froch vs. Dirrell.
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A unique look at the Super Six World Boxing Classic fighters, through the lens of photographer Howard Schatz.
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Fight Card
News Links
- Ward looks sharp in cutting up Kessler (ESPN)
- Mikkel Kessler insists he'll bounce back and beat Britain's Carl Froch (Daily Mail)
- Super Six second stage taking form (Bad Left Hook)
- Ward humiliates Kessler (Boxing News 24)
- Re-handicapping the Super Six field (Boxing Watchers)
- Mikkel Kessler loss denies Carl Froch unification fight (Mirror)
- Carl Froch lies in wait after Andre Ward upsets odds to defeat Mikkel Kessler (Times Online)
- Super Six supernatural (8 Count News)
- Ward beats, heads Kessler into submission (Copenhagen Post)
- Kessler vows to bounce back against Froch (This is Nottingham)
- The Andre Ward experience (411 Mania)
- The Son of God defeats Mikkel Kessler to win WBA middleweight crown (Bleacher Report)
- Andre Ward boxing match did not disappoint (Oakland Tribune)
- Froch rocked by Kessler flop (The Sun)
- Abraham vs. Dirrell: Andre should beat Arthur (Boxing News 24)
- How would Calzaghe do in the Super Six tournament? (Boxing News 24)
- Super Six World Boxing Classic update (Media Mind Field)
- Ward's rules: Andre Ward beats favored Mikkel Kessler for WBA middleweight world championship (San Francisco Bay View)
- Andre Ward leaps atop super middleweight division (USA Today)
- Andre Ward is the kind of boxer the fight game needs (Modesto Bee)
- Andre Ward looks sharp in cutting up Mikkel Kessler (ESPN)
- Ward claims Kessler's WBA title, fight stopped (Associated Press/Fox Sports)
- American Ward claims Kessler's WBA title, fight stopped
- Andre Ward thrashes Mikkel Kessler for WBA's 168-pound title (LA Times)
- Ward proves mettle, captures first title (San Francisco Chronicle)
- Andre Ward scores 11-round technical decision (Oakland Tribune)
- Ward claims Kessler's WBA title (NBC Sports)
- Ward proves mettle, captures first title
- Andre Ward Stuns Mikkel Kessler in Front of Home Crowd
- Ward Defeats Kessler
- Andre Ward Shakes Up The "Super-Six" - Now Who's The Favourite?
- Ward Owns Kessler, Puts U.S. Back In The Super Six
- Ward Claims Kessler's WBA Title in 11th Round
- 'It's My Time,' Andre Ward Says After Dethroning Mikkel Kessler
- Ware Dethrones Kessler By Technical Decision In Super 6 Showdown
- Ward Claims Mikkels' Crown
- Andre Ward Thrashes Mikkel Kessler for WBA's 168-pound Title
- Ward Grabs WBA Title
- Ward Claims Kessler's WBA title in 11th Round
- Ward claims Kessler's WBA Title in 11th Round
- Ward Claims Super Middleweight Belt With Win Over Kessler
- Ward beats Kessler For WBA Super-middleweight Title
- Superb Ward Takes Kessler's Title
- Poole: Andre Ward Scores 11-round Technical Decision
- Super Six So Far
- Oakland's Andre Ward Stops Mikkel Kessler for WBA Title
- Andre Ward boxing match did not disappoint (Oakland Tribune)
- Froch rocked by Kessler flop (The Sun)
- Abraham vs. Dirrell: Andre should beat Arthur (Boxing News 24)
- How would Calzaghe do in the Super Six tournament? (Boxing News 24)
- Ward's rules: Andre Ward beats favored Mikkel Kessler for WBA middleweight world championship (San Francisco Bay View)
- Abraham, Froch, Taylor, Direll Pick Kessler-Ward
- Al Bernstein On Boxing: Best For Last In Stage One?
- Kessler camp unhappy with officials for Ward bout
- Can Ward Take A Punch? We'll Find Out
- Super Six: World Boxing Classic Resumes
- The Super Six: Kessler vs. Ward Analysis and Outcome Prediction
- The Super Six Aids Boxing's Continiued Revitalization
- Kessler Just As Hungry As Ward
- Andre Ward Bio: Andre Ward Vs. Mikkel Kessler Fight Odds
- USA Hopes Riding on Ward (USA Today)
- Ward Can Become Next Young American Star (San Jose Mercury News)
- Ward Plans To Power Through Kessler (Los Angeles)
- Froch pulling for Kessler in Super Six showdown with Ward
- Q & A with Mikkel Kessler
- Chat with Dan Rafael
- Ward writes off Kessler's advantages ahead of Super Six fight
- Andre Ward plans to power through Mikkel Kessler
- Ward-Kessler officiating dispute resolved
- Judging shift should save Ward-Kessler title fight
- Kessler all set for Ward defense
- Ward to get Home-Cooking Versus Kessler
- Kessler vs. Ward tonight: Mikkel will be losing his title
- Tourney gives Ward his first shot at pro title
- KesslerWard official's conflict resolved (AOL Fanhouse)
- The Super Six continues: Mikkel Kessler and Andre Ward square off in Oakland (Ringside Rerpot)
- Mikkel Kessler settles judge dispute; fight against Ward on (Oakland Tribunte)
- Showtime Boxing schedule (CBS Sports)
- Kessler-Ward official set (Fight News)
- Super Six predictions (Fight News)
- Dirrel picks Ward, Taylor hedges, Euros go with Kessler (The Sweet Science)
- Ward meets Kessler in Oakland's first world title fight in 42 years on Showtime (Eastside Boxing)
- Andre Ward meets Mikkel Kessler in Oakland's First World TItle Fight in 42 Years on SHOWTIME (Doghouse boxing)
- Forty-two Years Have Passed Since Last World Title Fight in Oakland (Max Boxing)
- Carl F roch: I'm hoping Ksesler beats Ward (Eastside Boxing)
- Bernstein to preview Ward vs. Kessler (Eastsisde Boxing)
- Carl Froch thinks he'll win Super Six (AOL Fanhouse)
- Kessler-Ward: Andre fighting for American Pride (Boxing Scene)
- Kessler-Ward: Is Mikkel too basic to beat Andre? (Boxing News 24)
- Andre Ward aiming to shock the world (The Sweet Science)
- Get to know Andre Ward (Boxing Republic)
- Andre Ward: No middle ground (The Sweet Science)
- Ward on track for Kessler (Examiner)
- Ward training camp update (Seconds Out)
- Andre Ward update (Fight News)
- Kessler finishing his camp in California (411 Mania)
- Mikkel Kessler update (Fight News, Eastside Boxing, Doghouse Boxing, etc.)
- Ward's skills vs. Kessler's experience (Boxing News 24)
- Is Mikkel ready for the talented Andre? (Boxing News 24)
- Mikkel Kessler - boxing update (Seconds Out)
- Froch: Kessler will bring a war, unlike Dirrell (British Boxing)
- Abraham vs. Dirrell at Madison Square Garden (Boxing News 24)
- Carl Froch vs. Mikkel Kessler (Saddo Boxing)
- Abraham's intensity and determination impress Mike Tyson (Boxing Insider)
- So, could we see Carl Froch-Andre Dirrell II? (Eastside Boxing)
- Kessler-Ward don't expect an upset here (Boxing News 24)
- Andre Ward official update (Doghouse Boxing)
- Preparations are coming along for Ward (411 Mania)
- Kessler in California (Fight News)
- Kessler-Ward: Mikkel will show his age on Nov 21 (Boxing News 24)
- Andre Ward aiming to shock the world (The Sweet Science)
- Andre Ward: No knock on Kessler, but he does everything the same (Fight Hype)
- Abraham vs. Dirrell: Andre is going to dismantle Arthur (Boxing News 24)
- Ward: He's a typical European fighter (Boxing News 24)
- Kessler vs. Froch: I'm knocking Mikkel out (Boxing Scene)
- Kessler-Ward: Is Mikkel ready for the talented Andre? (Boxing News 24)
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