Kessler beats Froch to claim WBC super-middleweight title

Herning: Denmark`s Mikkel Kessler beat Briton Carl Froch on points to claim the WBC super-middleweight world title in Herning, Denmark on Saturday.

Kessler won a bruising encounter despite being cut over the left eye in the ninth round and all three judges had him ahead on their scorecards. It was the first defeat of Froch`s professional career and despite the unanimous decision he rattled Kessler, flooring him in the fifth only for referee Michael Griffin to rule it a slip. But the Dane, cheered on by the noisy home fans, gradually got on top at the 10,000 capacity MCH Messecenter and Froch failed to come up with the knockout that could have saved him.The judges scored the fight 117-111, 115-113 and 116-112 in favour of Kessler, who had lost a unanimous points decision to the undefeated world champion Briton Joe Calzaghe in 2007. The fight was part of the Super Six World Boxing Classic which brings together six of the best super middleweights in a series of bouts running through to early 2011. Former WBA champion Kessler, 31, now has two defeats in 45 professional fights having lost his first Super Six bout on a technical decision after being cut against Andre Ward. Froch, 32, beat Canadian Jean Pascal for the vacant WBC title in December 2008 and successfully defended it against Americans Jermain Taylor and Andre Dirrell. The split decision win over Dirrell was Froch`s first fight in the Super Six tournament. Kessler and Froch each have two points from two Super Six fights and must win their next bouts to reach the semi-finals. Bureau Report