Mikkel Kessler vs. Kelly Pavlik right now - PART I (before Bouadla)

The whole "bigger stronger clone" comparison of Kessler to Pavlik isn't entirely accurate but neither is it completely unjustified. There are seeds of truth to it.

Both have very strong jabs and are at their most comfortable when they're keeping their quarry backing up behind it. Both have that right cross money punch. Both have...fairly little else in their arsenal (both do have other options to go to, they just tend not to very often).

I'd say prime Kessler has the much better jab, and is a far superior mover & ring general than Pavlik. Both general the ring well, but Pavlik does it through sheer intimidation and unrelenting brute force whereas Kessler was a bit more selective with his foot placement and always seemed to be calculating range and not wasting a step.

Kessler now is a bit more similar to Pavlik than he was in his prime. Less movement, and less precision with the jab has turned him into more of the left-right left-right juggernaut archetype that Pavlik exemplifies so well.

 

As for size - yes, the dimensions on the tale of the tape favor Pavlik but just look at his body...and then at Kessler's.

Mik is bigger than Kelly.

 

RB, how far back into Kessler's career have you seen?

If you look at his reign pre-Calzaghe, back to circa Siaca & Mundine, his jab was a thing of absolute beauty. Straight, sharp, accurate and fast. Better than the Ghost's has really ever been. (although you're right about KP usually being able to pierce guards with it; he rarely pulls the jab).

 

Very true. :verysad Kessler's jab was once Winky-like, and is lately (against Ward and Froch) now just sort of average.

 

:yep

I think the surprising # of people voting for Kessler by stoppage could be setting themselves up to regret their haste if tomorrow's performance is very poor. If Bouadla doesn't get stopped, for instance - there is no reason to expect Pavlik to. Granted, those people all probably still have the images fresh in their mind of Pavlik getting hit with lots of flush counters by Lopez...but hittable or no the guy's chin is beyond solid - and Loew is on the opposite end of the spectrum from a Buddy McGirt type when it comes to whether or not to let your man go out on his shield.

Then again, if Kessler looks absolutely monstrous and back to 2007 form and scores a quick and brutal KO - well...Pavlik is more of a middleweight...:think