Kessler vs. Ward: Is Mikkel too Slow and Old to Win?
August 27th, 2009
By Scott Gilfoid: Although Mikkel Kessler (41-1, 31 KO’s) has been picked by a number of boxing experts to win the Super Six tournament which starts in October, I don’t see it that way. I don’t think Kessler will be good enough to beat his first opponent, 2004 Olympic Gold medalist Andre Ward (19-0, 12 KO’s).
Ward is much like Calzaghe, only more powerful and a lot younger than Calzaghe was when he fought Kessler. I think Ward has been underestimated in the tournament because a lot of boxing fans and experts haven’t seen enough of his fights to get a good gauge of what kind of fighter he is.
All you need to do is watch Ward’s bouts against Henry Buchanan and Edison Miranda in 2009 to see that Ward has extraordinary talent. Kessler is a good fighter, and I see him as the number #2 or #3 best fighter in the super middleweight division, but he doesn’t have the speed, youth or movement needed to beat a quality fighter like Ward.
Kessler’s problem is that he’s spent basically his entire career fighting European fodder and hasn’t faced some of the quality Americans like Ward and Andre Dirrell. Those two fighters are advanced and have a more conventional style which is more of style that allows them the freedom to move and create opportunities. In contrast, Kessler tends to stand straight up and fights in a European stance in which he shoots his jab out over and over again and throws predictable looking combinations.
Just by looking at Kessler fight for one round, I can pretty much tell what he’s going to do in every round, because he fights the same way all the time. Jab-jab-jab-hook. Ward has the style to beat Kessler. It will become pretty clear by the 2nd round that Kessler bit off more than he can chew.
I do think that Kessler will do well in most of his other bouts in the tournament, except for maybe his fight against Dirrell. I see that as a fight where Kessler will have nearly equal problems because of the fast hands of Dirrell. Kessler ha had it easy since his loss to Calzaghe.
Since that time, Kessler has fought two stiffs in Dimitri Sartison and Danilo Haussler, neither of which gave Kessler adequate preparation for a fight against Ward. The same goes for Kessler’s fight against Gusmyl Perdomo, who Kessler will be fighting next month on September 12th, as part of a defense of his WBA title. That fight will likely end with Kessler destroying the over-matched Perdomo in a round or two. That will be, in essence, yet another Euro stiff that Kessler has fought during his 11-year pro career.
Tags: 21 Responses to “Kessler vs. Ward: Is Mikkel too Slow and Old to Win?”
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Tim said :
“I cant wait for these euro clowns to be exposed in this tournement. Abraham is the biggest loke follwed by Kesler and then Froch. Euro trash is going DOWN !!!”
Well, so far Euro Trash have won 2 out of 2 matches
Why do many americans think they are best in everything. Think before you speak.
I do not totally disagree with Scott Gilfoid, only 99% He has his arguements, but again I think its very typically american. Wait and see, Kessler might not win (personally I think he will), but if he looses, it would be very close, and very possibly by points or split decision.
And what about the issue that 2 out of 3 judges are american? and the ref too. Not only american, but from California. I think they know, if Ward should have a chance, he needs all the help he can get. Why else pick so many americans? Anyone will comment that?
The California Athletic State Commission has appointed 2 out of 3 judges to be Californian AND the ref to be American…
TOTAL SCANDAL! SHAME ON YOU USA!
this is a PAID “article” – it clearly displays how little the writer knows about boxing
are you serious?
“Just by looking at Kessler fight for one round, I can pretty much tell what he’s going to do in every round, because he fights the same way all the time.”
yeah right! fights the same and same cominations?
hey man you clearly know nothing of boxing!
What time will Kessler/Ward fight be started in Oakland local time the 21.nov.? Who know´s that?
Interesting article not very accurate but interesting after reading thie article I realized that the Yanks still dont get it… The best boxers in the world are coming out of europe. To say Ward has faced better competion is a joke. Kessler is the faster and stronger man and will win this fight easily.
I agree with the conclusions of the thoughtless morons who DIS THE WRITER AND HIS WORK IN *ALL CAPS*. But tho we happen to agree that Kessler will likely handle himself well enough against the Young Yanks, we obviously disagree on what constitutes a serious or valid opinion.
(Simply having the right conclusions doesn’t validate the process by which they’re reached. And if someone disagrees with you, and turns out to be wrong, that doesn’t invalidate their thinking – or their person. Morons!)
The author does a fair job of defending his opinions, with some stronger arguments, some weaker. One of the weakest is this:
“Kessler’s problem is that he’s spent basically his entire career fighting European fodder and hasn’t faced some of the quality Americans like Ward and Andre Dirrell.”
Kessler has avoided nobody, and had beaten all the best at SMW except Calzaghe. Ward and Dirrell may be coming into their own now, but it counts nothing against Kessler that they were in their building-up period while Calzaghe and Kessler were dominating the division.
And while nobody can be *honestly* sure of a winner (for obvious reasons), I think Kessler has the best chance.
Speed and power, as possessed by Ward & Dirrell, aren’t enuf to beat Kessler. Calzaghe brought intelligence, adaptability, and a knack for frustrating any boxer’s style, as well as inexhaustible stamina – and just enuf power, when it counted, as with that 8th-round body shot.
Maybe Ward and/or Dirrell can pull it off, but I would consider that an upset.
I agree with the writer.Ward or Dirrell will win the tourment!
Kessler’s problem is that he’s spent basically his entire career fighting European fodder and hasn’t faced some of the quality Americans like Ward and Andre Dirrell
……………………….
To be fair the Americans are perceived as fodder these days, writers have constantly over-hyped up and coming fighters, desperate for a genuine World level fighter. The Europeans are currently dominating boxing. That said I rate Paul Williams as potentially a pound 4 pound great if only some of the other Americans would fight him.
The myth that the best boxers reside in America was blown quite a few years ago. America is where the money is but you no longer have the hold over boxing.
Kessler will likely take Ward to school, I think he will have an easier night than Froch.
we all know that scott talks sh*t but if kessler does get exposed for being over rated then all of a sudden calzaghe best win would seem like nothing. but that souldn’t happen.
Kessler fought great against Calzaghe, his only loss. He singlehandedly destroyed former WBC champs Eric Lucas and Markus Beyer. These last two guys had a very close decision fight.
That’s the level he’s at.
Ward will give Kessler a run for his money, but the Dane will prevail. UD for the Viking.
Kesslers hand speed is exellent. In the calzaghe fight he was barely slower than joe. He lost because he likes to time his opponents and calzaghe is imposible to time. this guys dumb as hell, kessler likes to jab then throw a straight right not a hook. Another thing Ward doesn’t have much power. In the miranda fight ward landed almost double the punches of miranda and landed combinations of 3 or 4 punches at a time and never hurt miranda.Right now other than maybe Abraham no one has more power than kessler at 168
No I have changed my mind. Americans are arrogant and desrve to be beaten. Go Kessler !!! The world will see that Americans cant fight…..forget about Ali,Robinson,Lenoard,Hagler,Armstrong,Pep,Hearns, and 95 of the worlds top 100 fighters. The USA knows nothing of boxing !!! Europe is where its at !! ARE YOU SERIOUS ?????
I agree 100% with this article. This guy has the balls to talk truth. Kessler should pull a “Calzaghe” and stay away from the young prime american fighters. If he pulled a coveted “Calzaghe” he could set up a “super match” with worn out Roy Jones and retire a “all time great” HAAH !!! I cant wait for these euro clowns to be exposed in this tournement. Abraham is the biggest loke follwed by Kesler and then Froch. Euro trash is going DOWN !!!
jus by watching kessler for one round you can tell what he s gonna do for the whole fight?
SCOTT GILFOID ( COPY ND PASTE I U WANT HIM FIRED )
I know what the hell im not ever readin a article again on this website its like they jus slag of all boxers except Americans one
SERIOUSLY SOME ONE FIRE THIS GUY HES SO GOD DAM BIAS
BIG F’IN WOW DA YANK THINKS DA YANKS GONA WIN, LOL WHATS NEW DEN.
This just proves you talk rubbish. Kessler (if you know what your talking about) is the most likely to win the whole thing. Im waiting for the next article about how jemaine taylor will beat abraham. Yank writter talks rubbish. A europeon fighter will win it. Be it froch,kessler or abraham
Scott do you get paid for writing these articles?