Mikkel Kessler, who won five super middleweight world title belts and is perhaps the greatest fighter in Danish history, announced on Friday that he is coming out of a four-year retirement at age 38.
Flanked by longtime promoter Kalle Sauerland at a news conference at a hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark, Kessler (46-3, 35 KOs) announced his intentions to box again.
"I want to prove that I can become the best again. The goal is to become world champion for the sixth time,'' Kessler said. "I've always said that if I wake up one day and the motivation is there, I'll take the chance, and now the timing is right. I still have a great team around me with a chef, physical trainer, therapist and boxing coach. The desire is still there, and I'm ready to make it happen."
Sauerland welcomed Kessler back to the fight game.
"For Mikkel it has always been about honor and not money when he steps into the ring,'' Sauerland said. "'He has beaten the best, and we believe he can come back to a level where he is ready to conquer the world again."
For most of the 2000s Kessler, known as the "Viking Warrior," was one of the world's best 168-pound fighters. He defeated opponents such as Carl Froch, Anthony Mundine, Markus Beyer (to unify two belts in 2006), Librado Andrade, Eric Lucas and Manny Siaca.
Kessler's losses, all by decision, came against the best of his era: Hall of Famer Joe Calzaghe in a 2007 title unification fight in Wales; Andre Ward via 11th-round technical decision in 2009 in the opening round of Showtime's Super Six World Boxing Classic in Ward's hometown of Oakland, California; and in a rematch with England's Froch in a world title unification fight in May 2013 in London. Kessler had previously outpointed Froch to win a world title during the Super Six tournament in 2010 in Denmark.
Kessler has not fought since losing a unanimous decision to Froch in the rematch.
The date, location and opponent for Kessler's return have not yet been determined. Regardless, Kessler said he is ready to fight again despite the long layoff and his age.
"I'm older, and so is my body, but I've kept in shape, and I'm still on weight," Kessler said. "I'm 100 percent motivated to do this. I've missed the training camps, and I've missed the focus you get from boxing -- to have one goal, and to do your best to achieve it.
"It's not about the money. It's about doing what my heart tells me to do. I've always loved big challenges and this is a chance to really test myself. We've not decided on a date or an opponent yet. I'm just looking forward to fighting in front of my fans again. For me, it has always been about the fans, and I promise to do everything I can to ensure they get to see entertaining fights."