He is obviously waiting on the decision of Carl Froch regarding against whom to next defend his super middleweight titles (promoter Hearn promised to make the announcement inside a 10-14 day windowed deadline from yesterday) but he did indicate at his press conference in May that he is only really considering the following options: Froch III Ward II Golovkin The super middleweight title sweepstakes to challenge Froch is a three-man race between Kessler, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and James DeGale. Should the choice be Chavez Jr. or DeGale, it would seem likeliest that Kessler will cut to 160lbs to challenge Golovkin (since he did state he would be willing to do so during his presser, and currently lacks the leverage to entice Golovkin to move up to 168lbs anyway. Besides, this way Kessler gets a chance to become a 2-division titlist whereas nothing would be on the line between them at 168lbs) given that Ward is sidelined indefinitely, thanks at least in part to promotional issues. Froch at 168 coming off a sizable layoff (November - completing a three-year pattern for Carl Froch of boxing twice a year in May & November since 2012 - would make for eighteen months' worth of rust for Kessler) is pretty daunting, but then so is draining to a brand new unfamiliar weight to meet Golovkin after the same amount of time off. What's the lesser of two evils for the Viking Warrior? :think
...and he will still have Jimmy Montoya in his corner, and has already returned to active training (but not full-blown camp) per Danish periodical BT.
I thought Kessler said there was no way he could make 160. Possibly a catch weight. If he really wants a belt and can make the weight more power to him... I was thinking GGG was going to have to travel to Denmark and fight at 168 to get Kessler. If I was wrong about that, then hey - cool. Would be a good fight. Would be a better fight at 168 though, I dont like seeing people drained.
Love to see him drop down to middle for ggg but i fear he would be weight drained. If he can make it comfortably then it would be a great test for ggg. Kessler is on the slide but still hits hard and has a good chin, dont think he will move down though normaly as fighters age they move up
He said at his press conference he would make 160 but only for a super fight (meaning GGG, of course) It has been fourteen years since he made the middleweight limit...but his decline never seemed to have anything to do with trouble making super middle anymore (more to do with shot reflexes and generally slowing down, and the eye problems), and he in fact was only 166.5 in Froch II. He didn't carry a ton of baggage, though, so yeah, it might cost him if he is to have to shed some muscle and leave him a bit weakened...
Kessler has not been very active for a long time now and suffered many injuries. I think it would be unwise for Kessler to try and boil down to MW, when he is a big SMW. I cant see that going too well for him. Kessler and Froch is always tough for both and they have both fought in each others country. Kessler against Ward at SMW, I think would be Kesslers best move, as Ward has not been overly active either, even though Ward has youth and less wear and tear on his side. Kessler vs Ward in Denmark would be a good match up
Uh, yeah. :readthre: Froch is his #1 choice, then either Golovkin or Ward. If he can't land any of those he probably won't bother with the comeback. He only wants blockbuster events. (though he said he would take a tuneup if he did land one but with some wait time)
I hope he takes on GGG, the first Froch/Kessler fight was close, Kessler clearly lost the last one, they have great fights but enough already, Kessler even at this age I would give him a pretty good chance of at least quasi exposing GGG's weaknesses. Kessler would be a massive step up from Geale and all of GGG's other comp, now watch all the GGG people will say GGG easily KO's the Viking Warrior in spite of the fact no one has come close.
My bad I should have read the whole thing. Kessler should indeed come back I see some good fights for him to take. I would love to see him face JCC Jr. if he can't get GGG or Froch in the ring.
:conf He never mentioned Chavez's name, but who knows, if Froch picks DeGale and there is big money offered I can't see why Kessler would turn up his nose. (although Chavez would be a cash grab and not as good for his legacy as the other three options. He would get massive credit for dropping a weight class to upset Golovkin, and for going 2-1 in the Froch trilogy, and especially - not that he would stand much chance - if he avenged the Ward loss. Chavez would be more like "Eh, whoop-tee-do..." and purely for the $$. Not to mention, losing to Golovkin, Ward or Froch wouldn't hurt Kessler's legacy much. Losing to a scrub like Chavez would besmirch it...)
froch might fight him again but i dont really see the point. i thought froch won the first fight. then froch deff won the 2nd easy. i want froch vs degale kessler can fight e-rod or groves some one like that ...
Groves is sort of similar to Chavez, as far as being worth the risk of damage to Kessler's legacy. (and insofar as he would draw a lot of money in the UK, like Chavez would in the US - but neither of them as much as the "Big Three" that Kessler is angling for) Assuming that he gets past Rebrasse next, Groves would still be 1-2 in his last three so it wouldn't be hugely creditable for Kessler. If he loses to him (and, based on styles and their respective ages, it would be a distinct possibility) it looks kind of bad.
Ah, strongly disagree. Kessler deserved the nod the first time, razor thin, and the 2nd was actually close, though clear for the Cobra. That is probably the one Froch would get the most credit for beating among purists, although the allure of a big rhinestone-laden sendoff with Chavez in Vegas might be hard for him to ignore...and of course Kessler would be seen as the easiest bet, money for nothing almost. Rodriguez? I don't think he is even remotely on the radar for what Kessler is looking to do with his remaining time in the ring.