Don't buy all this 'big fight' nonsense. Kessler is washed up in my opinion and Froch isn't on the same level as Ward and never will be.
If someone is getting KO'd it's gonna be Froch IMO. Kessler ain't washed up or shot, not prime but still has plenty to upset Carl with, body shots could be a key to victory for Mikkel.
Kessler still looks all there offensively, but for a straight up fighter his reflexives are dwindling and that has made him more hittable and less quick at resetting at mid-range. He'll have to go against character again and get inside Froch's awkward jab. I'm not sure he still has it in him to do that against 'The Cobra' coming off a destructive brace. Froch looks to be punching harder then ever, Kessler seems a little jittery under fire as of late. The stars are aligning for one of those nights though I don't doubt Kessler will give it his all and the ebb and flow will be as exciting as it comes.
On paper Froch has the edge and home advantage, but Kessler is one of those fighters you just can't rule out. May have a little flutter on Kessler to win on points depending on the odds.
Kessler is a tighter and sharper machine. He is the Yamaha YZR-M1. He has the more authoritative and meaningful jab and a better defence, however, he peaked a while ago, and is on the downward turn. But the fact remains, he can still dig and finish a fight. Carl is a messy and erratic machine. He is the Ducati Desmosedici. He is lacking technical skills but makes up for it somewhat by being a tough son of a gun and a bully in the ring. Unlike Kessler, Froch has aged well like a fine wine and we are yet to see the slide, even if he is short of ELITE, he is competitive because of what he is about. In fights, I will always pick the better skilled, overall I believe Kessler is a better fighter than Froch, but time waits for no man and Froch can capitalize, especially with Kessler's scar tissue around the eyes. But Kessler exists to prove the doubters wrong, and I believe he has one last belting performance in him and enough left to win the fight. He will not be fazed away from home, he fought Calzaghe away, a much better fighter than Carl Froch. I asked the question before, can Carl Froch be stopped? And can Mikkel Kessler be the one to do it? I believe he can be. He just needs to find the punch, and he needs to lure Carl into it. To difficult a fight to throw a certain prediction at for me and I wouldnt stick a penny on this fight. Therefore I will just give the scenarios I think are most likely to take place. So in order, from likeliest to least. Froch on points. Close fight. Draw. Kessler by KO/TKO.
I don't see much evidence that Carl's hitting harder than ever, he's just had two more vulnerable guys in front of him. But he does have a significant edge here in terms of confidence, etc. I still beleive the Kessler that lost to Calzaghe would have beaten Froch senseless.
Anything can happen in this one. I don't think Kessler can win on points, like Carl couldn't away from home though. I will say that. Likeliest outcome for me is Froch by points in a close fight. Maybe even controversial. I expect Kessler to be busted up pretty bad, and Froch to be puffed up around the face, but Kessler will demand to finish the fight, both men are to proud, and both men will see it to the end like......I cant say it..... Could well be a draw if Carl fails to do enough like Bellew against Chilemba. I can't see him losing on points though if it gets there. Not at home. And I still think Carl Froch can be stopped, and Kessler can still dig. So not everything no. I've narrowed it down. Might even see Carl get knocked down to come back and win the fight. :good Both men might be down in this fight. I'm hoping its Gatti-Ward esk.