I think Carl Froch will beat Mikkel Kessler

I think I have to agree. As much as I used to rate Kessler's boxing ability, I just think Froch's heart and ability to take punishment alone will see him through. Froch will get hit for sure, but I don't think Kess will be able to knock him out. I just don't see it.

To be honest I think the loss to Ward, has given some doubts in Kessler's mind whether he really still has what it takes to compete at this level. I have watched all of Kessler's fights and as much of a fan as I am, I think he is too one-dimensional and his lack of ability to adjust during a fight will be his downfall. I had a feeling he would get out-boxed by Ward, and after watching the fight, just confirms that the guy has already reached the peak of his powers.

 

This paragraph here is why I pick Froch to lose, alongside the fact that Kessler throws the straighter punches which will stylistically bother Froch, especially with the amount of power coming behind them. I don't know if Froch has faced a harder hitter than Kessler or not, but Kessler's got to be close to it. Furthermore, Kessler had trouble with Calzaghe and Ward, who are both slick and quick, unlike Froch, who is much slower and somewhat sloppy. Those two could also get out of the way of Kessler's punches in a way that Froch is just going to have to do his best to take. Froch prides himself on his "granite" chin while Calzaghe and Ward pride themselves on not getting hit. Against Kessler, Froch will get hit, and I believe Kessler's power will overcome Froch's "granite" chin. And, it's not as if Kessler's chin is weak either. Oh...and don't forget about Kessler's new trainer, which I think will make a world of difference, meaning good news for Kessler and bad news for Froch.

 

I think Kessler will win by fairly wide decision.

Froch is a sucker for a good jab and a good one-two, as Taylor showed for much of their fight. That's Kessler's bread and butter - he's not the most versatile fighter, as Ward showed, but I think his basic style (which he can execute extremely well) will be enough to beat Froch.

 

Ahh crap, in my last rant I forgot to add another huge element....THE FIGHT IS IN DENMARK! More bad news for Froch.

 

Kessler is a very good pure boxer, but his power is a little bit overrated on this board IMO. I'd say Pascal hits just as hard and Froch was able to withstand 12 rounds of an all out war. I am not so sure Kessler would be able to withstand the same.

 

I think we may be in for fireworks here. I'm interested in the Abraham-Dirrell fight from a tactical standpoint. I'm interested in the Ward-Taylor fight....well, I'm not. But I'm interested in the Kessler-Froch fight because I know I'm going to see some big exchanges landed. Besides, I don't think Kessler's confidence issues, if any, are due to being hit with big shots, but rather due to wondering if he can pull the trigger. But he's got to remember that he couldn't pull the trigger in his last fight because he was in there with a guy who posessed unreal speed, quickness, defense, movement and reflexes.

 

I can certainly see that happening. Although I favor Kessler based on his better overall technical skills. The version of Mikkel that fought Andrade and Calzaghe would have punished Carl Froch, but this rusty and inactive verson of Kessler we've seen lately might run into a few problems versus Froch.

 

It's hard to say. We don't know how Kessler will bounce back from the Ward fight.

It think Kessler is better then Froch but that does not always means the better will win.

 

I'm rooting 4 Froch but think Kessler will probably school him

 

:good That was a good read David! And your analysis is hard to question.
I will be cheering for Froch (He is a Brit, after all), but my money may very well be on Kessler, for precisely the reasons you have wrote! It should be a great fight and it is (imo) as close to a "Pick-em" match-up as you can get!!

 

Mikkel Kessler by UD or KO. I expect Kessler to come looking like he wants to avenge that defeat by giving his best in this one.

 

To take the fight against Calzaghe as an indication that Kessler would lose to Froch seems strange to me.

Calzaghe is probably the second best supermiddle of all time in H2H terms behind RJJ. Kessler was one of the few fighters in Calzaghe's career who was really competitive, along with Eubank, Reid, Hopkins. Kessler lost to Calzaghe's insane workrate, high speed and ability to adapt but still was in the fight throughout. Froch IMO would get dominated by Calzaghe.

I also think that Froch's chin is a bit overrated. His will to win is exceptional but he did get knocked down from a single shot by Taylor, who is not a big puncher. Taylor needed a whole barrage of shots, including an elbow, to knock down Pavlik and hasn't knocked down anyone else since spring 2005.

So far, Kessler lost to two fighters who had a significant speed advantage. Against Froch, Kessler probably has the faster hands and the better skills. Even is he is past his best, he should still win a UD.

 

I hate the ******* (Froch) but i wouldnt argue with that statement big man !!!!

All depends on how Froch handles Kessler from the outside , Froch is not great on the inside and neither is Kessler , another factor will be how has Kessler took that 1 sided defeat ??? , Froch is going into the fight beleiving he is the best in the world , he has a strong mind set , how strong is Kessler's ????

I think another factor is , i dont see Froch taking Kessler out but i do think Kessler has the tools to stop Froch .