I had Kessler by one. It took four rounds to warm up but from there on in it was wild. Especially the last three rounds. A proper, proper fight. But this tournament is seriously wide open. 117-111 is a joke. No arguments, a joke.
I didn't see that as close at all, other than the early rounds. Carl's rounds were clear for me, but he just got beaten to the punch. He fought a good fight, neglected the body though. He was much more successful when he was more wild, but when he copped that short right in the eighth, that was really the end of it for me. He had a good 10 and 11, but the snap had gone from his work. Kessler: what a guy. Thoughts on his match against Green? More interesting, thoughts on Ward-Green?
I had it to Kessler by 3. I thought it was a fantastic fight though! Respect must be given to Kessler as he gave his absolute effort to take that title tonight. Froch gave it away with his usual lazy approach in fights and his crap defence but it made for a great watch. Whats certain is the last round of this tournament will be immense! Fight of the tournament by far :good
I honestly thought the scorecards were fair. 116-112 region was about right. A SD or something would have been dumb, Kessler won clearly enough home or not. I felt like it was comfortable points wise but of course anything but comfortable as a fight. Kessler finally proved to people he does have the heart his critics claim he didn't. This fight shuts them up. It also showed just how strong he is. Everybody knows how strong Froch is but Froch didn't back Kessler up at at all, not in any round. Kessler was strong and showed a great chin.
1 score was too wide but kessler won. No debate. Froch lost that himself. Kessler was the guy always moving forward. Froch is v v limited.
I agree with most of that. However, at about round 4/5 when Froch was coming on to Kessler and landing his shots, backing Kessler into a corner I thought this should have been the turning point in the fight. Froch was looking like he was going to dictate, but Kessler came out the next round and dictated the pace and pushed Froch back - hence in Kessler's interview he alluded to that i.e. he had to fight his own fight and not Carl's. After that, Kessler came out from the first bell as the agressor, and Carl didnt react. Froch lost the fight because he allowed Kessler to take the initiative and push him back. He had the beating of Kessler, but didnt throw enough punches, especially combos. Those single leads are not going to dent Kessler. He needed to throw a minimum 3 shot combo (and more) and step into the shots to drive him back - but he didnt. At the end, Froch looked like he could have went on for a several more rounds no problem. He left too much in the tank - he should have threw more punches - especially away from home. Kessler won fair and square. Brilliant fight - I would love to see that again.
Kessler by two rounds. You could have called 3 or 4 rounds either way. Thought Froch was right in after -fight interview - if fight was in Nottingham he would have got decision.