super six final fight of round 1-kessler/ ward
Discussion
we all know kessler`s impeccable record and only black spot being his loss to calzaghe but what of unheralded andre ward, his opponent on sat night??glittering amateur career with highlights being olympic light heavy gold at athens, us amateur champ at light heavy in 2003 and us champ at middle in 2001.faultless pro record of 20-0(13ko) but only name of real note being edison miranda.
largely untested chin so ward`s resilience is unknown but his vast amateur experience shows he has guile. i reckon kessler`s experience should out here although by points or stoppage i don`t know.
largely untested chin so ward`s resilience is unknown but his vast amateur experience shows he has guile. i reckon kessler`s experience should out here although by points or stoppage i don`t know.
My gut instinct is that Kessler blows this guy away after feeling him out for a few rounds but the trouble is, I know diddly squat about Ward's pro career but have heard that he's slippery and is a great switch hitter.
So long as Kessler is still as good as he was in the Calzaghe fight, I can't see anyone bothering him in this competition but he has fought a list of no names recently.
Anyway, I'll be suprised if Kessler doesn't stop him early or completely dominate him in a lopsided UD.
So long as Kessler is still as good as he was in the Calzaghe fight, I can't see anyone bothering him in this competition but he has fought a list of no names recently.
Anyway, I'll be suprised if Kessler doesn't stop him early or completely dominate him in a lopsided UD.
don`t forget kessler has only fought three times since calzaghe and one of them was haussler,who is a good fighter,admittedly the other two were relative nonentities.unless this ward guy is a really well kept secret i agree i just can`t see him winning.there is nobody of note on his pro slate wheras in recent times kessler has had calzaghe,andrade,lucas,beyer and mundine.what`s important here is the manner of the victory.
next up is froch(if he wins) for a big unification in the next round.!!
next up is froch(if he wins) for a big unification in the next round.!!
tuscaneer said:
don`t forget kessler has only fought three times since calzaghe and one of them was haussler,who is a good fighter,admittedly the other two were relative nonentities.unless this ward guy is a really well kept secret i agree i just can`t see him winning.there is nobody of note on his pro slate wheras in recent times kessler has had calzaghe,andrade,lucas,beyer and mundine.what`s important here is the manner of the victory.
next up is froch(if he wins) for a big unification in the next round.!!
From what I've heard (and the little I've seen) of Ward I think he could be a tricky opponent for Kessler. The style match might well work for him.next up is froch(if he wins) for a big unification in the next round.!!
The thing that puts doubt in my mind is the KO ratio - even at an early stage in his pro career when he's likely to face lesser men it doesn't smack of an ultra powerful punch, so doubt he'll be able to trouble Kessler.
Lost_BMW said:
From what I've heard (and the little I've seen) of Ward I think he could be a tricky opponent for Kessler. The style match might well work for him.
The thing that puts doubt in my mind is the KO ratio - even at an early stage in his pro career when he's likely to face lesser men it doesn't smack of an ultra powerful punch, so doubt he'll be able to trouble Kessler.
I reckon he may cause Kessler a few problems over the first 4 rounds or so but then he'll suss him out and get in his stride.The thing that puts doubt in my mind is the KO ratio - even at an early stage in his pro career when he's likely to face lesser men it doesn't smack of an ultra powerful punch, so doubt he'll be able to trouble Kessler.
Many Ward fans argue that Calzaghe had no power and was able to trouble Kessler but I think all of Calzaghe's opponents (aside from Hopkins) have all said that he will throw a 7 or 8 punch combo with 1 or 2 power punches in there that hurt an awful lot. It's also worth noting that Calzaghe was a freak of nature and a superb boxer so I've no idea how people are comparing Ward to him.
Anyway as Tuscaneer said, if the Kessler that turns up is the same one who fought Calzaghe, Ward is going to get starched early. Let's just hope his long lay off and the fact that he has fought nobodies won't affect him.
Robatr0n said:
Lost_BMW said:
From what I've heard (and the little I've seen) of Ward I think he could be a tricky opponent for Kessler. The style match might well work for him.
The thing that puts doubt in my mind is the KO ratio - even at an early stage in his pro career when he's likely to face lesser men it doesn't smack of an ultra powerful punch, so doubt he'll be able to trouble Kessler.
I reckon he may cause Kessler a few problems over the first 4 rounds or so but then he'll suss him out and get in his stride.The thing that puts doubt in my mind is the KO ratio - even at an early stage in his pro career when he's likely to face lesser men it doesn't smack of an ultra powerful punch, so doubt he'll be able to trouble Kessler.
Many Ward fans argue that Calzaghe had no power and was able to trouble Kessler but I think all of Calzaghe's opponents (aside from Hopkins) have all said that he will throw a 7 or 8 punch combo with 1 or 2 power punches in there that hurt an awful lot. It's also worth noting that Calzaghe was a freak of nature and a superb boxer so I've no idea how people are comparing Ward to him.
Anyway as Tuscaneer said, if the Kessler that turns up is the same one who fought Calzaghe, Ward is going to get starched early. Let's just hope his long lay off and the fact that he has fought nobodies won't affect him.
so it looks like ward has got some game although his s.o.g. nickname should mean son of goat for all that headbutting that went on.kessler looked slow and very uncomfortable but then so would i if the ref was allowing my opponent to but and rabbit punch all night.must admit as bad as kessler looked ward does look like an awkward force now at this weight
I agree, Ward was fighting dirty but I still think he had Kessler's number and would have won regardless.
I'm interested to see how both of their next fights play out to establish (in my mind atleast) if Ward is really as good as his last performance and/or whether Kessler has gone off the boil in the past couple of years due to inactivity.
These sort of upsets are exactly what the tournament needs though! Great stuff.
I'm interested to see how both of their next fights play out to establish (in my mind atleast) if Ward is really as good as his last performance and/or whether Kessler has gone off the boil in the past couple of years due to inactivity.
These sort of upsets are exactly what the tournament needs though! Great stuff.
Re. comments above: I watched it with my brother - also an ex boxer - who admitted that Ward looked good but that he hated watching him/hated his style. The punch-grab-butt-pull-punch (often on the break) technique.
It's certainly effective and he did make Kessler look slow and one dimensional but I agree - can't stand the git, attitude, beliefs or tactics.
I really hope he doesn't win the thing . . even if it would upset God!
PS - for his next, ridiculous, outfit he should have the phrase "God loves a cheat" printed up.
It's certainly effective and he did make Kessler look slow and one dimensional but I agree - can't stand the git, attitude, beliefs or tactics.
I really hope he doesn't win the thing . . even if it would upset God!
PS - for his next, ridiculous, outfit he should have the phrase "God loves a cheat" printed up.
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