Kessler-Ward prediction: Andre to take Mikkel’s title
November 15th, 2009
Picture credit: Team Sauerland – By Scott Gilfoid: There is now only six more days before the Super Six tournament clash between World Boxing Association super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler and challenger Andre Ward, and as the days draw nearer it feels like the end of a era is coming closer for the Danish Kessler.
Mikkel has the unfortunate luck of facing the 25-year-old Ward, the 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist for the U.S., who hasn’t been beaten since way back in his amateur days. Ward has been nothing short of invincible since turning pro five years ago. Ward is looking to de-throne the 30-year-old Kessler next Saturday night and not just win the Super Six tournament fight.
I’ll be there at ringside, but Kessler won’t be able to count on me for support. I’ll be backing the fighter that I feel who’s going to win the fight – Ward. Kessler hasn’t been beaten since he was out-boxed by Joe Calzaghe in a 12 round decision in 2007. Kessler has been winning all of his fights since that time, but his opposition has been less than impressive.
Kessler’s fight against Ward is going to be arguably the best opponent that Kessler has faced in his entire career. That’s not to take anything away from Calzaghe. He was a good fighter in his day, but by the time he fought Kessler, Calzaghe was at the end of his career and starting to show signs of slowing down. Ward, on the other hand, is only 25 and in his prime years.
Ward has a top notch chin, excellent power, great hand speed, beautiful movement and an airtight defense. In every facet of Ward’s game, I’d rate him as an A+ fighter. He has no weak point. Ward hasn’t done this on strictly god given talent, although he has plenty of that. Ward has worked his tail off in training, working on his weak points until they’ve become his strong points. Ward studies all of his opponents in detail, finding out how they ticket so that he can take them apart come fight time.
Kessler has nice basic skills. He’s good at a lot of different things and hard to beat unless his opponent is smart and very technically sound. However, Kessler appears to have lost a step, and is facing a fighter that is not only technically sound but also extremely gifted. All the skills that Kessler has, Ward is a couple of notches better. At the same time, Kessler’s lack of smooth movement in the ring will be a problem for him against the formless Ward.
Kessler won’t be able to beat Ward with his robotic fighting style, because Ward moves so much better. Calzaghe took advantage of Kessler’s robotic fighting style and over-loaded his defense with punches from every angle. Kessler was out of his league in that fight. But in the case of Ward, he’s like Calzaghe x 2. He does everything that Calzaghe does, but much better.
Prediction: Ward by lopsided 12 round unanimous decision. Ward will make Kessler look like an old man.
Tags: 23 Responses to “Kessler-Ward prediction: Andre to take Mikkel’s title”
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i found out a new way of making money what ever fighter scott predicts to win i will bet on the other its a dead cert nice one scott.
so if kessler turns up and performs at his best, who wins scott? kessler does do the basics amazingly well, wards gonna need a plan a b and c just like calzae did, but he hasnt got the experience
Scott, I don’t think you should write about boxing.
No one had ever beaten Marcus Beyer the way Kessler did.
Kessler went to Australia to beat Mundine. Stood ground with Andrade and beat him convincingly, had a back and forth with Calzaghe. These names are more impressive than any opponent Ward has fought.
And it doesn’t really matter what happened in the amateurs…. those fights are scored differently making the fighters fight differently.
Ward’s been invincible as a pro! Against who exactly?! Hand picked, soft opposition. Ward is like Calzaghe X2!! WTF?! Ward’s only chance is to win a tight decision or to get a lucky punch. All the smart money is on a Kessler win.
ward fans not a bad idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!to compare your kid with Calzaghe……ward is still a kid he is 25 but has not won a world title. you can never campare a fighter with Calzaghe if he has not won a title.
believe or not you ward fans will be shocked to see ward knocked out flate on his back in very first round.
come the fight night man ward wont be able to hear final bell. he will be ko before
finally lets be fair all the way……..lets respect ward is a good fighter but nowhere near mikkel kessler
he hasnt a clue about boxing hes never been right once in his articles. ward is un tested kessler will win the super 6 im sure of it. i thought haye was gonna lose and froch and clazaghe are u ever right
If your so sure that Ward is going to win how about we make a little deal Scotty Boy. If ward wins I will not post on this site for one full year. If Kessler wins you don’t submit an article to this site for one full year. I await your answer .
wow Scott I’m stunned you picked Ward for 19348294929398492 time in a week.
i dont get you scott. Are you serious ?
All your talk about the quality of Kessler’s recent opposition, who the hell has Ward fought, NOBODY is the answer to that question and as for saying that he has’nt lost a fight since way back in his amateur days that is because he has’nt been tested yet!!! For the record i think Ward is a great guy and will give Kessler a great fight but Scott your a d**khead…
glad your gonna be there gilfoid hopefully i might see you on tv crying after Kessler beats ward. no seriously now, should be a good fight, i want Kessler to win but Ward can definately win if his chin holds out. go Kessler ko him
I am a complete and utter T***
lets be fair, we all know calzaghe could show up and win the super six without breaking a sweat
Kessler KO/TKO round 7/8.
Another standard “The non-US fighter stands no chance against the US fighter” Scott Gilfoid article.
Give it a rest, it’s boring.
scott kiljoy, ward ko kessler in 30 seconds? dont talk sh*t.
kessler ko or UD
Kessler for the win
I think Ward will win.
For once, Scotty, we almost entirely agree !!
Yes, I think Ward is possibly the best of the bunch … and Kessler has definately lost half a step over the last two years. He has also been drip-fed poor domestic level fighters for his title.
However, Kessler does have only one chance and it is to land a ‘lucky punch’ … Kessler can bang and most that have fought him ( even JC ) mention how powerful his punching is. As long as Ward doesn’t get hit fully, I see him wining a clear points decision, maybe even a surprise stoppage.
However, i do utterly disagree with your silly stament about Ward being Calzaghy x 2. Nonsense … at his prime ( five years back, JC would of beaten Ward hands down ). ward is good and shows signs of being a great fighter … but he is not there yet !! Infact, I see a fight between eard and Abraham as the fight to really enjoy … even old war horse Froch would be fun against Ward.
i think that picture is of kessler attending an Oakland Raiders football game. wow. getting punched in the face is gonna be a pleasure after watching stench like that. he must hate america now.
i like both guys, and can’t wait. youth vs. experience. this is ward’s chance to really step-up. he’ll need to be at his best.
I stand by my statement, Ward is TWICE the fighter Calzaghe was. In fact now I’ve had a chance to think about it more, I wouldnt be surprised to see Ward KO Kessler within the first 30 seconds.
if hes like calzaghe times 2 he has to hold a world title for 22 years and make 42 successful defences.