I don't agree with people saying Kessler landed the more telling punches. Froch was clearly hurt in the 11th. I was at the fight, and it actually looked even worse live than on the broadcast. However, EVERY OTHER TIME Kessler hit him, he remained unmoved. Every time he hit Kessler, Kessler went backwards. So actually, his power shots were more effective. On this point I (for the first time) agree with what Jim Watt was saying. I don't think Kessler was that bad. He hit Froch with EXACTLY the same shots that put Bouadla, Green and Magee away...they just didn't budge Froch, because he's a double-hard *******. Kessler actually looked good after he figured the jab out, he was punching fast and hard. Just met the better man on the night. People saying Kessler was poor are more looking to a) do a disservice to Froch for the win b) Make a point about Ward's win being over a 'better' Kessler or c) use it in a Calzaghe vs Froch/Ward debate. Kessler knocked sparko that Allan Green that Ward leant on for 12 rounds. Lest anyone forget.
I scored it 115 - 113 Froch... A very close fight Froch won on his incredible workrate. It was there for Kessler to take, but he was too inactive in round 1 - 3.
1,2 and 3 were beyond doubt Froch's so to have Kessler 7-5 up you must have Kessler winning 7 of the 9 rounds which I just can't see a case for at all
I had it 7-5 Froch, close but clear. Can't find a sixth round for Kessler and certainly not a seventh round. Bottom line, Froch made the fight and deserved benefit of the doubt.
You gotta be blind or in love to score that fight for kessler. Kessler landed some great counters but Froch clearly beat Kessler up and beat him to the punch most of the night.
This was the same score I had. After 6 rounds, they were even on my card. The 7th I scored for Kessler bringing him up a round, and scored the 8th for Froch bringing them even again. I agree that Kessler won the next three rounds with hard and accurate shots. Froch barely edged out the 12th due to his strong finish. That brought the final score to 7 rounds to 5 for Mikkel Kessler. This was a very close fight, much closer than the Lederman card would have you believe.
Froch controlled that fight, he imposed his will on Kessler more then Kessler imposed his will on him, and he won the 12th comfortably having Kessler leaning up against the ropes getting tagged.
Calzaghe fans are going to put up a fight to the death for kessler , so be prepared to see these biased posts in every single thread relating to froch or kessler . they know Mikkel is the lifeline of Joes career . What they fail to realize is that lifeline is LONG GONE . Courtesy of S.O.G .
How the ****? The first fight was very close indeed, this was competitive but a clear victory for Froch.
115-113 Froch, although I could see 116-112 for Froch. Can't see a way to score it a draw or Kessler win IMO.
2 and 3 yes. 1 no. Unless you're scoring purely numerically, which isn't how it's done. In the 1st Froch landed probably more jabs than Kessler did total shots, and definitely threw lots more punches overall. That doesn't mean it's 10-9 to Froch, however. The couple of left hooks Kessler ripped to Froch's head plus all his stiff body shots were of high enough quality to offset Froch's connects, most of which were jabs, and which actually came at much lower a percentage because for all that he landed a fair number of jabs he missed loads more. I have no problem with people scoring the 1st level 10-10 or even 10-9 to Froch. I have a problem with people saying there isn't a case for Kessler to be made in it. Yes, there is. This wasn't the amateurs. If it was the amateurs, then yes Froch managed to connect more times and rack up more button-squeezes with the jab (only by throwing a huge amount, wasting many to land what he did). Using professional boxing scoring criteria of clean effective punching, the Kessler body punching and couple of flush left hooks upstairs balance out against Froch's jab to make it a very close round that you could honestly give either way depending on your slight leaning of criteria preference. Froch dominated 2 and 3, no complaints here as far as that goes. People seem to be lumping in the 1st with them, when it simply doesn't belong. It's all muddling in people's minds as nine straight minutes of Froch imposing himself, which isn't what happened. I urge everyone to review the 1st. Maybe without the Sky commentary.
Im going to have to rewatch the 1st round, for me at the time i felt Froch showed the more ring generalship and was landing the jab, it felt as if Kessler couldnt quite get started.