Carl Froch’s world title unification contest against Mikkel Kessler will be shown live on Sky Box Office HD on May 25, marking the broadcaster’s return to pay-per-view boxing after a two-year absence.
Following their first meeting in April 2010, described by many experts as one of the best fights of the modern era, the rematch between the two super-middleweight kings will headline after a strong undercard at London’s O2 Arena.
The pair will clash in the 20,000-capacity arena just over three years since their memorable first meeting which Kessler won via unanimous decision on home soil in Herning, Denmark.
The Nottingham fighter has since regained and lost the WBC title Kessler took from him that night, and is currently the IBF champion, while the Dane has overcome career-threatening injuries to pick up the WBA strap.
Froch impressive win over Canadian Lucian Bute in 2012 was considered one of the fights of the year and has set up a return clash with two-weight world champion Kessler.
Victory for Froch would line up the opportunity for a career-defining rematch with the division’s No 1 name Andre Ward.
The Dane is unbeaten since 2009 and widely regarded as one of the most dangerous super-middleweights in the world with 46 victories to his name.
It is the first time that the Nottingham man has performed on Sky Box Office in his professional career, highlighting the dramatic and long overdue elevation in Froch’s profile amongst the wider sporting public.
After stints fighting on ITV and Primetime when he was promoted by Mick Hennessy, Froch’s fights were often overlooked by other higher-profile British fighters, but his rematch with Kessler will be the first live boxing on Sky Box Office after a near two-year absence.
Sky decided to drop pay-per-view boxing coverage in 2011 following a backlash from fans over some notable lacklustre shows, which included David Haye’s easy victory over Audley Harrison in autumn 2010 and the Hayemaker’s controversial defeat to Wladimir Klitschko in July 2011.
The fight in London on May 25 will be held on the same evening as the UEFA Champions League Final which takes place across the city at Wembley Stadium.
Speaking about the event to Sky Sports, IBF champion Carl Froch said: “Fighting on Sky Box Office puts me up there with the modern British stars like Lennox Lewis, Prince Naseem Hamed, Ricky Hatton and David Haye and viewers are going to get the full ruthless Carl Froch experience.
“This time the fight will have a different ending, and it’s one that the Dane is not going to like.”
WBA champion Kessler said: “I look forward to fighting on Sky again and this will be an incredible fight.
“Our first meeting was a classic, the best fight ever on Danish soil. I promised Carl a rematch and here I am, ready to come to England and beat him again.
“The Viking Warrior is ready for war and the Cobra is going down.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “I think it’s the biggest feather in my cap as a promoter, bringing a fight like this to the UK.
“I’m proud to have done it and I’m delighted for Carl, because he deserves it.
“He can now avenge that loss and leave a real legacy for British boxing because I believe he’s one of the all-time greats and a win against Kessler will put him right up there.”
Sky Sports viewers can follow all the build-up to the event including the documentary series ‘Behind The Ropes,’ which gives unique access to both boxers’ training camps.
There will also be Froch v Kessler Countdown specials in the week building up to the fight, the weekly magazine programme Ringside, plus the latest news and analysis from both camps on Sky Sports News.
Additional interviews and blogs from Sky Sports experts, including former world cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson, plus the Ringside Toe 2 Toe programme will also be available online.
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