Ward’s Skills vs. Kessler’s Experience: Super Six

By Glen Anglin: The upcoming Andre Ward – Mikkel Kessler Super Middleweight match looks to hold great promise for an exciting test of two top boxers. Both men are technically proficient and well trained. Kessler owns a title belt, and Ward is undefeated. Both are excellent offensive and defensive fighters. They have contrasting styles (which is good for us fans), and are at different stages in their careers. Lets try to break down their strengths and weaknesses.

For the boxing traditionalist, Mikkel Kessler is a pleasure to watch. Although unspectacular, he combines better than average technique, toughness, power, hand speed, natural ability and physical conditioning into a formidable package. He rarely clinches. He is a classic jab or jab-cross or jab-cross-hook combination puncher. He has shown no obvious weakness in his career. To the viewer he seems predicable sometimes, maybe even mechanical, but his opponents never seem to figure it out. To his opponents, he is an iron-willed, unchangeable, proud champion. It must be bewildering to see Kessler standing right in front of you, throwing his textbook, workmanlike punches, and be unable to do anything about it. In the ring, Kessler just continues to move forward and work until he finally impresses his will over his opponents. The sum of Mikkel Kessler is much greater than the parts.

Even in defeat against Joe Calzaghe he showed that he is a top-shelf fighter, winning 4 or 5 rounds against the all-time great. Other than JC, he has beaten all those put in the ring with him in 43 matches. In fact, this may be Kessler’s only clear-cut advantage over Ward: his experience in big, pressure fights. Kessler will not be overawed to fight in Oakland, CA and you can bet he will bring his A-game.

Ward, undefeated in 20 matches, is the kind of young gun who can make an average boxing fan take an interest in his every move. He has all the tools to become a spectacular boxer-puncher who dominates his opposition: excellent hand speed, reflexes and punching skill. Ward can punch very quickly in combination. He has the natural energy and stamina of youth. He has a perfect body proportions for the SMW class, as does Kessler. In contrast to Kessler, however, Ward often punches from different angles, quickly and with good snap. He has not just good, but excellent head and foot movement. Although he has not fought the same quality of opposition, as has Kessler, he has steadily progressed from weak to middling to near top talent. If you haven’t seen him, believe me, Ward can fight.

In addition, Ward will not only have the home country advantage (the most important factor of which is that there will be no jet lag to contend with) but also he is actually boxing in his hometown. Needless to say, the crowd will be celebrating every move he makes, which can sometimes unduly influence judges.

So, who is the favorite? This fight intrigues me very much because I really can make a case for each man. In all individual skill categories, except power, (and possibly chin) Ward has a small edge. These skills enable me to envision Ward using his speed and youth to out punch the older, slower Kessler to win a clear decision. On the other hand, Kessler is a bona fide warhorse and a veteran of big-pressure ring battles. The Dangerous Dane has been there, done lots of that. If Ward is unable to hurt Kessler and make Kessler hesitant to stand close and throw bombs, then Kessler will walk Ward down and make him fight a war of attrition. If that happens, Kessler should be able to land well with his power shots later in the fight.

Kessler’s experience and toughness will carry the day. I think he will come on strong in the second half of the fight, and win by late stoppage or decision. JGA

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