Mikkel Kessler Injures Hand, Out of November 5 Fight With Robert Stieglitz

Sauerland Event announced earlier today that super middleweight contender Mikkel Kessler has been forced to postpone his scheduled November 5 fight WBO titlist Robert Stieglitz due to a hand injury suffered in training camp.

"This is a major disappointment for me," Kessler said. "We´ve had a great preparation and I was in fantastic shape when I injured my right hand during a routine training session. The doctors advised me that it needs a rest and I can´t fight on November 5. I am very sorry to keep my fans waiting. The good news is that the injury should heal quickly after a little break. I will rest my hand and then get back to training to be fit for Stieglitz early next year."

Promoter Kalle Sauerland was also disappointed: "It´s a shame that this big clash of champions has to be postponed," said promoter Kalle Sauerland. "I know how hard Mikkel has worked and how disappointed he is to postpone the original fight date, but we have been through this before."

Kessler (44-2, 33 KO) and Stieglitz (40-2, 23 KO) are likely to find a new date in early 2012, at the same venue in Denmark. For anyone who had purchased tickets, those will remain valid.

Stieglitz vs Kessler was scheduled for same-day tape delay airing in the U.S. on Showtime, but the live fight it was to be paired with, Bute vs Johnson, is still going ahead from Quebec City.