Kessler-Ward: Don’t Expect An Upset Here

By Boxing News - 11/03/2009 - Comments

kessler51By Peter Wells: I’ve tried every single possibility to see how Ward can beat Kessler and I just can’t see it happening. I give Ward all respect he proved he had a good chin against banger Edison Miranda, but Mikkel is different, he is a boxer and much bigger than any of Andre’s previous opponents, plus Kessler has only been defeated by Joe Calzaghe. But since retaining his WBA title Mikkel hasn’t fought anybody of great recognition.

He won the title back off Dimitri Sartison via 12th round stoppage he has since beaten Danilo Haussler and Gusmyr Perdomo both stopped inside 4 rounds. Before losing to Joe he did beat two notable opponents in Librado Andrade and Anthony Mundine. So for a fighter with a lot of experience he hasn’t fought many notable fighters and may have had an easy ride so far.

Andre Ward like most fighters with only 20 or less fights has been sheltered from the top class opposition and has learned plenty from his opponents, Ward has been floored very early in his career and that started a debate of whether he can hold a punch, but redeemed himself against the man who broke Arthur Abraham’s jaw (though failed twice to dethrone ‘King’ Arthur). He kept out the way out of trouble but didn’t crumble when tagged on the chin. He has only knocked out 13 of his 20 opponents and is not the kind of fighter to knock out Kessler or any other decent chinned fighters. His main asset is his speed and skill, he is very quick and has great skill which makes up for his lack of power. He did stop his last opponent in just 3 rounds on the same night that Kessler won his last bout.

Neither Kessler or Ward have took on the kind of opponents that they will face in the Super Six, and both have the chins to withstand each others punches. I see the more experienced Kessler to do what is expected of him and dominate the younger Andre Ward to win clearly on points despite being in America, but the US aren’t known for fixing the score cards (like the Germans).



Comments are closed.