Ward vs. Kessler tonight

By Steven Wain: Tonight at the Oracle Arena, Oakland, California, United States, one of the greatest boxers at Super Middleweight today Mikkel ”Viking Warrior” Kessler (42-1, 32KO’s) takes on undefeated American Andre “S.O.G” Ward (20-0, 13 KO’s) in what will be the third fight in stage one of the super 6 tournament. Kessler’s WBA world title will be on the line.

Kessler who’s only defeat was at the hands of the great Joe Calzaghe by unanimous point’s loss at the back end of 2007 is one of the favourite along side German Arthur Abraham to win the tournament. Kessler although is not what is called a “one punch knockout artist” he still has some good zip behind his shots and he is very accurate. He fights in the typical European fashion throwing jabs and crosses with the occasional uppercuts and hooks, his defence is pretty good with him taking the vast majority of punches on his gloves and elbows. Another advantage with Kessler is his ability to deal with speed, if you saw his fight with Calzaghe you could see he was getting the better of the great man in the early stages.

The 2004 Olympian and undefeated as a professional Andre Ward comes to the fight as the underdog, but don’t let this fool you, he has fast hands, his movement is second to none and he can fight as a southpaw or orthodox. Ward is a step up in class for Kessler since his last three fights against Gusmyr Perdomo, Danilo Haussler, Dimitri Sartison have been pretty average opponents. If Ward can pick Kessler off with his speed and even frustrate Kessler into making novice mistakes then we could be in for an interesting fight that could maybe just go the way of the American.

Since his loss to Calzaghe Kessler has fought 3 times and all 3 opponents (Gusmyr Perdomo, Danilo Haussler, Dimitri Sartison) have been very average, and although he defeated his latest opponent Gusmyr Perdomo by a forth round TKO Kessler looked old and found it very hard to get in to the fight, that however may be just ring rust we will have to wait and see. If Kessler has got as bad as his last fight suggest then he may be in for a night of eating Ward’s punches.

Ward who is vastly untested in his 5 year pro career and who lets be honest is no Joe Calzaghe and whose best wins have come from opponents such as Rubin Williams, Edison Miranda and Henry Buchanan is not the most experience or the most skilful boxer by any stretch of the imagination, and with a chin that has been dented a few times over the years does he have what it takes to absorb Kessler’s punches or will he crumble under the power and let the Danish boxer take control.

This fight will be a lot closer then most people are giving it credit for. At this moment in time I am going for Kessler’s Experience over Ward’s speed I believe Kessler will have what it take to neutralise Wards speed and bring him down to the level Kessler is comfortable fighting at however that all depends what Kessler turns up, but it will be a very very close fight that could go either way.

My prediction, Kessler by a 12 round Unanimous points decision.

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