Sounds good to me, but I don't think Ward will win more than 2 rounds. I think the first few rounds will be close, but I don't think Ward will dominate Kessler, at any stage.
You are forgetting that the Perdomo fight will not be so far away, when this fights takes place. So Kessler will be connecting better from the get go. Being on homesoil can add to the pressure of the inexperienced Ward, and I think there is a good chance he will choke. I have no doubt the importance of the tourney affected Dirrell, and so will it for Ward.
I think Kessler-Ward is competitive in the early rounds, with Ward's speed giving Mikkel trouble. But eventually I see Ward fading while Kessler gets his timing down and picks him apart. My prediction is a Kessler stoppage anywhere from Round 7 - 12.
Kessler´s trainer Richard Olsen said Ward will be Kessler´s toughest challenge in the Super Six. I agree ...I think Ward really will prove his worth in this tourney. Kessler will have a busy eve and his biggest chance of winning will be on a KO ...Ward has a better work-rate, handspeed and the advantage of boxing home. My prediction is a UD for Ward
I think Kessler is still rusty. He looked very hittable and even sloppy against Perdomo before KOing him. Ward is a much, much better fighter than Perdomo. Plus, Ward has a slick style like Perdomo. So, I'm guessing that Ward will frustrate Kessler until Kessler gets in his groove. I can't see Ward avoiding Kessler's 1-2 all night. Kessler's too fast, deceptively so, and too strong. Ward won't be able to make any defensive errors if he wants to survive.
I agree that Kessler is still rusty. A couple of rounds here and there against low-quality opposition aren't enough to clean the rust out. But maybe we're deluding ourselves. Maybe he's (also) slipped a bit. I don't like the way Ward squares up when he lets his punches go. His defence when he's under pressure is leaky too. He's obviously inexperienced, so his shot selection is often poor. I don;t think he moves as well as people say he does. He is skilled, but his performances aren't impressive, in my view. I am not sure how tough he is either. Does he have a chin? I guess we'll find out soon. He might impress us positively!
Ward is a dark horse like andre dirrell they have unbeliveable boxing ability. Ward must stay away from kesslers right hand a punch that i have noticed he has been getting hit alot with lately. Ward is a prodimently a south paw but also a switch hitter that has a leaky defense at times that makes him vulnerable to right hands. If he can correct that problem he can pull out a decision in his hometown because homecourt advantage means so much in this tournament.
Yeah, I posted the other day that I don't think Kessler is quite the fighter he was a couple of years ago. Go rewatch Kessler v Andrade. He was lethal and precise. I know it was against Andrade, but he just looked better overall. Still, I'll be rooting for Kessler, though Ward's a class act as well, and he'll have a very bright future. May the best man win.
cus of home advantage ward will do a dirrell running,surviving stealing points here n there expecting to get a decision. But Kessler unlike Froch will eventually get his man. Kessler k.o mid to late rounds.
After last weekend, I'm starting to wonder if the homecourt advantage means much too much in this tournament. :roll:
They say the exact same thing about Dirrell,thats hes simply too green,the other fighters have way more experience then Dirrell,Dirrell is going to get knocked out!! And look what happened!! Dirrell outclassed/outboxed Froch,he beat Froch!! but Froch got the hometown decision..But Dirrell is def the new champ in my eyes,and not just my eyes,IN MANY!! And hopefully Ward will be the new champ come nov 21st...I really wouldent be shock at all if Ward beats Kessler,not even a bit,because I def see it happening And im pretty sure after seeing what dirrell did,everybody is thinking deep down inside,I wonder if Ward could do the same to kessler??
Kessler is no Froch. This fight has me nervous for Ward. He has the tools except maybe pop and his focus is certainly better than most but he put it all together for this the toughest of his match-ups? I dont think he will go down easy if he does, remember he has not lost a fight in years. The guy knows how to win , an attribute one cannot pickup easily.
Pavlik is a sloppy puncher - Kessler is not. You are a very weird Kessler fan. It also only took you one fight with Ward against the limited Miranda to think he would beat Kessler - even though there is nothing in the fight that points towards this.
As much as I like Kessler as much non-biased am I When i study a boxer it takes a little while before i can make my judgement. The Miranda fight was the 9th fight i´ve watched with Ward. I knew Ward was really good, I just wasn´t sure he could beat Kessler till after i watched the Miranda fight.