--- Rating Mikkel Kessler ---

Dirrell would have had potential if he had heart. Problem is that he's to scared to be a top fighter. Even when dominating he's terrified as we saw against the Abrahammer.



And check him out here fighting a danish lightweight with little punch. Dirrell is scared to death and is taking a beating before quitting:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fJpylQgOHM&feature=player_embedded[/ame]

 

I think that Kessler is an under achiever..
His opportunities to build up his resume, has been limited by injuries and promotion problems.
in his prime he was a very good fighter, good speed, devastating power, toughness and overall great ability..
Imagine if Kessler wasnt suffering from multiple injuries and had a powerful promoter through his entire career..
Imagine this:

Calzaghe UD12 Kessler 07-11-03

Kessler KO12 Sartison 08-06-21

(By this time, Pavlik had just Ko'ed Lockett, Imagine if Kessler could have made Pavlik move up to 168, and got the fight with him, instead of Hopkins.. This would be a favorable match-up for Kessler.)

Kessler UD12 Pavlik 08-10-18

(at the end of the year, Froch beats Pascal.. Kessler's promoter manages to secure a unication bout with Froch)

Kessler UD12 Froch 09-04-25.

(Taylor, whom have moved into 168 territory will be looking for big fights)

Kessler KO11 Taylor 09-10-17

(Abraham is by this time left hanging in the 160 division, then decides to move up to challange Kessler for a big European clash)

Kessler UD12 Abraham 10-04-24.

(Kessler then travels to Oakland to take on Ward)

Ward UD12 Kessler 10-11-27.

I am not saying that Kessler could have beaten these guys for sure, but i would certainly have him as Favourite..
But i dont think that this would have been unrealistic if Kessler wasnt injury prone and if his promoter was able to pick fights at will..
Well, this was my alternative "Kessler career"

 

is that in blue andre dirrell?yeah..he has potential alright,he would destroy kessler,ward and bute,no problem...he already "schooled" froch.man,now i get it why he is such a disgrace,he grew up as a coward,you can't expect someone to man up and be a warrior at the age of 28.

 

That's what i tought

 

Did I say that?

No I did not.

I said that Morales is an ATG. You would agree with me if you had followed boxing for more than 3 months and checked youtube instead of boxrec.

 

he actually backing a guy who hate his favorite boxer and trash him every time he has a chance.that means he is objective,at least in my book

 

you don't know how many arguments i had with that guy , and i agree with him when he say Morales is a ATG , don't mean nothing about 140lbs

 

:good i just love boxing and talking about it!

 

Kessler was clearly not the same fighter after his long layoff post Calzaghe. His jab is not as sharp or quick, his right hand used to be like a laser but now he shoots it wide alot and pushes it sometimes and with his left hand he is 100% physically incapable of throwing a tight left hook. Every time he throws a left hook now it is a wide slapping punch. Anyone who doubts this watch the Andrade and Froch fights back to back.

Kessler's punch accuracy and counterpunching are 2 things TS didn't mention, his accuracy was tremendous, watch the Andrade fight he'll throw a 5 punch combination and land on the chin with every shot. His timing for his counterpunching is still formitable although his handspeed isn't what it was.

Alot of his style was based around his athletic ability and he was able to beat the fighters he faced without beaing greatly tested due to being on another level with skill and athleticism, as a result like alot of fighters we don't know what kind of heart and determination he really had. The Froch fight answer all those questions, he showed he's a warrior.

 

Me personally I would question these......

Versatility
Offence
Defence
Technical Ability

For me he showed an inability to adapt against Ward and Calzaghe.

Kessler said Joe spoiled his boxing, well maybe Ward also spoiled his boxing, and that, that is what happens when Kessler's conventional style is used against him, and he cant calculate what the opponent is doing? he starts to malfunction, is unable to adapt.

I dont know if Kessler even has a defense to be honest. He seems to go back with his hands up like a battered wife when attacked. One of the reasons Ward was able to catch him consistently, is because he goes straight back on the line when attacked, so Ward instead of pulling out after overshooting a punch, would follow up with an upjab to load his gun in order to throw another straight right, and because Kessler goes straight back when attacked, he couldn't find any sanctuary to avoid those kind of attacks.

Offense I think Kessler is limited. Tough guy, but limited. He's a better fighter on the backfoot (Andrade)than he is on the front foot, but only! provided he can calculate your attack as you come foward.

There were way too much times against Froch that I saw Kessler push the jab, not get his feet into position. Infact I thought whilst it was good/decent fight, the standard of Boxing from both men was poor.

I dont dislike Kessler, but I think people confuse technical with conventional with him. For me Kessler's style looks too easy to read, although luckily he's a tough guy with a good chin, and has lots of heart and power.

 

And theres no blue pills to help Dirrell there!

 

He has never beaten anyone aside from Froch. Basicly he hung out in the dead semi pro SMW division for a bunch of years and built his record against stiffs. He faced better comp than Calzaghe(thats not saying much) but lost against him h2h.

 

Come on dude. You're one of the few Euro posters I respect when talking about the European prospects.


But I could drop a bottle off the hubble in space and it would somehow manage to fall back to earth and hit Andrade in the chin because he is that easy to hit.


Hitting Andrade with 5-6 punch combinations doesnt make you elite. If Kessler would have won more then 2-3 rounds against Calzaghe before getting figured out and dominated. I'd agree. as of his career, he never faced elite competition before he fought Calzaghe and Ward. Both schooled him.

 

A fight from when Dirrell was 17-18 years old? You cant be serious. :rofl



Dirrell is to fast, too skilled, too talented for a robotic Kessler. No way would Kessler be able to land any punches. And with his lack of head movement he'd be a sitting duck.