Denmark's Mikkel Kessler beat Briton Carl Froch on points to claim the WBC super-middleweight world title in Herning, Denmark, 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 favor 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. Angulo stops Julio In California, Mexico's Alfredo "Perro" Angulo stopped Joel Julio with a right cross midway through the 11th round Saturday to retain the WBO interim light middleweight title. Angulo (18-1, 15 KOs) dramatically ended a highly competitive fight with one perfect blow to Julio's chin, sending his Colombian opponent tumbling to the canvas.
