His competition wasn't good enough to rate above 8.5 in my opinion, you have to be accurate against top level fighters to be rated so highly
Bump. Dirrell's resume is bull**** and so is his heart...But his skill and speed is one of the best in SMW without a doubt
He's a good, solid, B to B+ class fighter imo. I think he will always be the best of the rest, but will never excel above any elite level fighter like a Ward or a Calzaghe. Kessler is one of those fighters who gets disorganized if he cant calculate what your going to do. I think this is why Calzaghe was able to have so much success. His rhythm completely threw Kessler off so he couldn't calculate his attacks. I think Ward did the same kind of thing by utilizing the angles. Kessler is one them who wants you to attack him in straight lines so he can pick you up with counters, or someone who stands infront of him so he can unleash the jab, right hand. I reckon as soon as he sees a bit of movement, or an angle, he can start being confused a little.
if you haven't seen it yet http://www.eastsideboxing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=392216 Latest ratings - Mayweather jr vs Cotto + Build up video's
if that was past prime, when the hell was his prime, that was as good as kessler ever was, his peak of his career