Mikkel Kessler will only come back for Andre Ward or Carl Froch, says Johnny Nelson

There is talk of Mikkel Kessler not retiring but Johnny Nelson has spoken to him, so who better to give the inside track on the Viking Warrior?

Ringside

People might be saying he's not retired but I will be surprised if we see Mikkel Kessler back in the ring again.

I spoke to him last week and as ever he was honest about it. There are only two names that will get him back in the ring and we all know who they are: Carl Froch and Andre Ward.

But there is only one word that is behind this: motivation. And I completely get that.

I rang Mikkel last week to tell him we were going to mention his decision on Ringside but had to leave a message. He is such a nice guy that he rang back and we had a proper chat. And it all made complete and utter sense.

Mikkel has been one of the true, classic world champions. Carl has as well and that is why last week I said he may well follow suit.

Does Mikkel really need to go and fight for the European title? Does he need to go on and take on the new IBF or WBC champions? 

There are only two names that will get Mikkel back in the ring and we all know who they are: Carl Froch and Andre Ward.

He doesn't. And he doesn't want to. He admits he would find it hard to get back into gear, to go through that hard camp, that top-notch preparation again.

Yes, he could do it physically, but it's psychologically where the problems lie. He wouldn't have the drive; he couldn't get up for a standard fight.

Imagine David Beckham signing for Accrington Stanley, never mind sitting on the bench at times - and no offence David Lloyd, of course. Kessler does not want to go through old ground again. He's been there, seen it and won it.

Andre Ward is the one that might get him back and I've heard his name being bandied about again. Kessler and Froch don't need the third one, leave it as an honourable draw.

Ward though, has become a victim of his own success if you like, but needs a big name, a big fight to get back into people's minds again.

Yes, Mikkel has lost to him already so it is a bit of a no-lose situation for him. If he was to take on a ring-rusty Ward and win, then Kessler will be able to walk away from this sport as a legend.

But, I have a feeling, both he and Carl might end up doing that anyway.