Kessler-Ward Kick off Super Six bids

By Jack Beynon: Now, I will never hide the fact that I am a Kessler fan. However, I am also not blinded by my support. So I figured, in light of recent articles, that I should submit my own, more objective, opinion to the site. Kessler vs. Ward; admittedly, before the Super Six competition came to be, I knew very little of Andre Ward or the great amateur pedigree he brings to the game. But upon reviewing footage of the young American, I must admit he has some skills; a well balanced front foot boxer with impressive hand speed. Although he has 13 KO’s out of his 20 professional bouts he appears to lack any real power, but he can easily make up for this in punch volume; his hands have impressive speed, not the quickest, but definitively quicker than Abraham, Froch and probably Kessler.

My main problem is with his previous competition; despite the Edison Miranda (a man beaten twice by Abraham, a key point that will no doubt be talked to death later in the competition) he has faced nobody of
any real status. His wins against these opponents make exciting viewing, but there’s no real danger of a loss. Now, everyone knows that boxers will have some padding on their records and it’s perfectly understandable, but he has fought 20 fights and I feel only about 4 were ever a viable threat, Saturday will truly be a gigantic leap in class for Ward.

Now to Kessler; The Viking Warrior has shown himself to be a true champion. Chin and fists seemingly made of granite and a 76% knockout rate (going as far as demolishing Danny Haussler in the 3rd round). He is not without fault however, his record holds some padding with the likes of Andre Thysse and Orlando Javier Acuna among some others, but he has made up for this by fighting the likes of Anthony Mundine and Markus Beyer, not to mention his only loss comes from Joe Calzaghe a man who unified the division only to then go and retire on a fat wad of smart money.

Kessler’s style is his only real problem. He’s never too hard to hit. He’s hard to hurt sure, but never hard to hit. His style lends itself to fast point boxers, as Calzaghe proved with his largely one sided win. His style is more suited to trade punches, something he does very well with a brutal 1-2 combo and his devastating uppercuts which could quite probably knockout Ward and his untested chin.

To sum up; for Ward to win, he needs to stick to his jab and short hooks, popping in and out of range as quickly as possible, staying largely on the outside and to not through his wild hooks that leave him far more open than I’m comfortable watching. Push for a 12 UD

For Kessler to win; he needs to pressure Ward onto the ropes and into corners and wear away his defence until he falters leaving him open for the knockout. 7 TKO

I’m going to back Kessler for this fight, but of course you all knew that, but I will honestly say, this is a rare time that I wouldn’t mind being wrong.

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