Kessler-Magee slated for Dec. 8

Three-time super middleweight titleholder Mikkel Kessler of Denmark will pursue his fourth straight win, his third consecutive knockout victory and the WBA's interim belt against Northern Ireland's Brian Magee on Dec. 8 at Jyske Bank BOXEN in Herning, Denmark, promoter Sauerland Events has announced.

Kessler, 33, is 45-2 with 34 knockouts, and has won his past three fights, including the past two by stoppage in the sixth and fourth rounds over Mehdi Bouadla and Allan Green, respectively.

Kessler is returning to Herning for the first time since April of 2010, when he dethroned England's Carl Froch as WBC super middleweight beltholder by unanimous decision in a bloody, all-out battle at MCH Messecenter Herning.

Kessler's win over Froch was part of Showtime's Super Six World Boxing Classic. Although bleeding from the nose slightly, and very badly from a severe cut over his left eye, Kessler also managed to draw blood from Froch's nose and eye.

"I look forward to fighting in Herning again. The atmosphere was fantastic last time when I fought Carl Froch," said Kessler, who is nicknamed "The Viking Warrior."

"The fans made the difference that night. Their support really lifted me to one of my greatest victories. With their help, I will become world champion again on December 8.".

Kessler's triumph over Froch helped him to rebound losing his WBA belt by a one-sided, 11-round technical decision loss to Andre Ward in the first round of the Super Six tournament in Nov. 2009.

Ward's victory ended a streak of three straight stoppage wins by Kessler, whose previous setback had been at the hands of southpaw Joe Calzaghe by unanimous decision in November of 2007.

In August of 2010, Kessler had to pull out of the Super Six with an eye injury, canceling a September bout with Green. Kessler has fought only five times outside his home country, including the losses to Calzaghe and Ward.

With the wins over Froch, Bouadla and Green, however, Kessler is 42-0 when fighting in Denmark.

"The fans raised the roof that night. History repeats itself. We expect a sell-out crowd, a fantastic fight and another world title for the Viking Warrior," said promoter Kalle Sauerland, referring to Kessler's triumph over Froch.

"It´s up to Mikkel to restore the Danish fighting pride. But when he is at the top of his game, nobody can stop him. His KO over Allan Green was impressive. Magee is the next in line to taste the wrath of the Viking Warrior."

Photo by Alexis Cuarezma, Fightwireimages.com

Lem Satterfield can be reached at lemuel.satterfield@gmail.com