Boxing

[H2O Man]

Saturday, November 21 - Oakland, California (SHOWTIME) - super middleweights: Mikkel Kessler (42-1, 32 KOs) vs. Andre Ward (20-0, 13 KOs)

HBO will be featuring last weekend’s Pacquiao vs Cotto fight tonight, for those of us who did not see it live. However, opposite that, Showtime will be presenting the third fight in their Super Middleweight Tournament.

This fight is between two of the best three boxers in the "Super Six." While I also consider both Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham to be fully capable of winning the tournament, their chances are based largely and strength, punching-power, and sheer determination.

Andre Dirrell is a talented prospect, and has the ability to grow into one of, if not the best, within a year’s time, he did show some flaws in his loss to Froch. And I’m hoping that Jermain Taylor will be replaced, as my understanding is that his medical tests after the KO loss to Abraham showed cause for concern ….he needs to retire.

Now to tonight’s fight, between Mikkel Kessler and Andre Ward. Again, I had expected this fight to come in the tournament’s finals. Kessler is the WBA Champion. He has fought professionally since 1998. His record is outstanding, and he is rightfully considered the favorite in both this fight, and the tournament.

His first 15 fights were in his native Denmark. It is fair to say that the level of competition in that region is not the strongest. In 2000, he came to Las Vegas for his first fight outside of Denmark, and KOed a retread tire with a 15-12 record. He went back to Denmark for his next 19 fights, before traveling to Autrailia to outpoint a tough opponent, Anthony Mundine (23-2).

Two years later, he again stepped up, and fought then-undefeated Librado Andrade; DUers may recall that Will Pitt posted an OP about this fight, telling me that he expected a war. It was a brutal 12-rounder, which Kessler won by a lop-sided decision.

In his next fight, Kessler suffered his lone professional defeat, at the hands of the great Joe Calzaghe. Kessler won the first three or four rounds on strength and power; after that, Calzaghe adjusted, and shut him out for the final eight rounds. Since the loss, two years ago, Kessler has only had three fights, the second two against relatively weak opponents.

Ward is a 2004 Olympic Champion, who has navigated the professional ranks rather slowly. There is no question that he is strong, in good shape, and has outstanding boxing skills. His punching power is solid, though certainly not explosive. He is a cagey fighter, who looks to outsmart his opponent, capitalize on their every mistake, and – if the opportunity arises – take them out.

His biggest win thus far was a convincing decision over hard-punching Edison Miranda. That came in June of this year. He has, in the past two years, stepped up his pace, and has been far more active in the ring than Kessler.

Both men stand 6’1"; both have a 73" reach. And they both weighed in at 168 pounds. Kessler is 30 years old, while Ward is 25.

Kessler’s advantages include his aggressive style, punching power, and his experience in big fights. His disadvantages include limited skills in lateral movement, and in adjusting to a moving target. Ward is the smarter boxer, and has the ability to adopt to an opponent inside the ring. His disadvantages include experience in big fights, and the tendency to want to be more of a slugger than he actually is.

We know that Kessler takes a heck of a punch. But, of course, that means he can be hit by hard punches. With Ward, that remains a question: he has never been hit and hurt in the ring, though this is because he is so good a defensive fighter. Tonight, he wants to leave that question unanswered, for Kessler can and will hurt anyone he can hit solidly.

Kessler has to be in great shape, and look to force his will on Ward. He needs it to be a physically taxing fight, including mauling Ward on the inside. Ward needs to keep the action in the center of the ring, and to patiently hit-and-don’t-be-hit. It will take a superb showing, in order to maintain that distance. It also means that he has to land some hard shots in the early rounds, to discourage Kessler from attacking him non-stop.

Who will win? Kessler is the favorite, for good reason. He’s proven how good he is. Not quite as good as Calzaghe, but always a top fighter. With Ward, we simply do not know for sure. He may end up being as good, or better, than Calzaghe. Tonight will give us a good indication of just how good he really is at this stage of his career. If he had fought one or two of the other guys first, he might have gotten the top-level experience he needs for facing Kessler. But, I will not be surprised if he is already as good as he thinks he is, and pulls off an upset tonight.

Enjoy this fight. It may be one of the very best of 2009.

[madinmaryland]

1. Welcome back!

How ya doing?

[H2O Man]

2. Fair.

Still weak and sore. Hoping to avoid the 2nd surgery in December. Of course, this all has delayed my plans for a comeback in the ring. (grin)

[CatWoman]

5. shouldn't your ass be in bed??!!???

:hi:

:loveya:

[H2O Man]

6. Yes.

When others are home, I'm restricted to bed. But when they are gone, I forget this.

[H2O Man]

3. Andre Ward

was the winner by way of a 10-round "techical decision." Two judges had him ahead 98-92, the third 97-93. Most people -- myself included -- had it 100-90.

Ward was way too fast, too smart, and too talented for Kessler. It was evident that Kessler had some "ring rust," as a result of his recent inactivity. But Ward was by far the superior fighter, and was able to demonstrate that he is on a very different skill level than Kessler.

Some head butts did open one of the cuts above Kessler's eyes. However, even before that, he had told his cornermen that he was unable to see; this first happened after the 7th round, well before they butt & cut that resulted in the doctor's ending the fight in the middle of the 11th round.

To be fair, both men used some illegal tactics. Ward knows how to use his shoulders in clinches. And he landed some low blows. But Kessler had no room to complain, as he also engaged in some dirty tactics. This isn't pillow fighting.

More, Kessler could definitely "see." He was reacting to Ward's feints. He got out of the way of many punches. I can tell if a fighter can't see. Kessler wanted his corner to stop a one-sided ass-kicking, before he got knocked out. He was trying to quit, without taking responsibility for the decision to give up.

After the fight, Kessler was acting like a brat. He also spoke in such a way that I question if he will continue in the tournament. He will face Carl Froch next, if he does, and that would be a very difficult task. While Kessler could win, he would need to be much better than he was last night.

Ward has changed the dynamics of the "Super Six." He is supposed to fight Jermain Taylor next. Let's hope that doesn't happen. Taylor would get hurt.

[JonLP24]

4. Thanks for the update

I enjoyed reading the descriptive recap. :thumbsup:

I wasn't able to catch the fight -- Showtime.

However can't wait for FNF to come back for ESPN.