 Kessler (right) unified the WBA and WBC belts in 2006 |
Denmark's Mikkel Kessler defeated gutsy Mexican Librado Andrade with a unanimous points decision to retain his WBC and WBA super middleweight crowns. The boxers fought out all 12 rounds at a frenetic pace in Copenhagen but Kessler's combination punches gave him the edge over his challenger.
"I've been stressed and nervous but this wonderful crowd lifted me to victory," Kessler told his home crowd.
The 28-year-old now plans to mount future defences in the United States.
Andrade said after the bout: "He is a tremendous fighter with great skills, I could barely get two shots in.
"I hope my heart is big enough to go out of here with my head held high."
Kessler defended his combined belts for the first time and stretched his undefeated professional record to 39-0 with 29 knockouts.
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