Paul Smith v Arthur Abraham - who really won?

Correct, shot faded, unwell Kessler is still Wards best win and even beat Froch, which shows that this era is known but not strong. It is probably known as America have a champ and there was a S6 competition, but it does not make it strong.
There was recent talks of Ward facing Kessler which shows how recycled the division is since Calzaghe.
Look at how Ward was facing rusty Bika after Calzaghe beat him years ago and then Bika becomes a world champ and Anthony D beating him suddenly makes a strong division to Krishv1980, which just shows how hype can be fooling.

 

Can the WBO not call on these judges to justify their scores?? Is that a possibility when this sort of thing happens?

The moral thing for the Abraham team to do would be offer Smith an immediate rematch.

There were a few rounds in this fight that couldn’t possibly be given to Abraham unless you’re impressed by a guy who throws hooks that are caught by the other guy’s gloves! Yes he did have success at times but so did Smith. Gutted for him as it’s unlikely that he’ll ever get such a chance again.

 

Everyone who thinks that guy won against Abraham should stop watch boxing.

 

I felt I was being generous to Smith and still had Abraham up 115-113.

Two of the judges seemingly gave Abraham every close round and scored it 117-111, the Spanish judge's scorecard was terrible.

116-112 Abraham would have been the perfect scorecard for that fight I believe.

No robbery at all, Abraham won the fight but the scorecards should have been a bit/a lot closer.

 

Had it a draw 6-6, and that was with giving the tougher to score rounds to the home fighter. I could’ve seen 7 rounds to 5 either way and been fine with it. Or even 8 to 4 at an absolute maximum.

I know writing in the articles there may be the slightest chance of legal action but let’s call it for what it is.

11 rounds to 1? Paul Smith won 1 round tonight?

When I score fights I do the math: who is the home fighter country wise? Who is the fighter backed by the promoter? Who is the fighter expected to win, and go on to fulfill further lucrative dates? You know who the 50-50 rounds go to in that scenario, and to be honest it doesn’t bother me that much. It can be explained away as a style preference blah blah blah and if that’s the extra 1% a guy needs to get a 10-9 on his card, then yeah, I get it.

But to put in 11-1 scorecards in fights like this, it’s just an obvious fix.

 

I had it 115-113 for Abraham. You could argue a round either way.

I don't think too many people have a problem with AA winning, just the appalling scorecards. One judge is either utterly incompetent or corrupt. Either way, they should never judge a fight again.

 

^ I wouldn't exactly call Kessler faded.
LOL, it's not as if he had seen half the wars that Hagler or Hopkins had seen when he faced Ward.
In fact, I would argue that Kessler has really not been in any all out wars in his career.

 

Calslappy and his fans try to diminish Kessler's accomplishments post Calzaghe fight to legitimize his reign. Fact is kessler's best performance and win was the Froch win in Denmark.

 

Sven did alot at SMW and has a top resume.
Tell me what Groves, Pascal, Dawson, Abraham and DeGale have done at SMW. This will be good.
Tell me what Ward or Frochs best win is and you will come back to the era I mentioned in that they beat a faded version from that era and you cannot deny this and in Frochs case got beaten also

 

A best win doesnt make someone prime dummy atsch.
Look at Foremans win over M Moorer, it was one of his best wins, but that doesnt mean he was prime

 

Kessler had been very inactive overall for a few years, had eye problems and not beaten a top rated SMW for around 3 years before the S6.
Wars dont always fade a fighter, Kessler was known as a fighter who had injuries.
Look at how Cloud has faded after a loss to Hopkins in far fewer fights as an example of type.

 

Gosh, AA's career has really gone in the toilet.

 

Aa

 

No doubt that AA is past his prime.However,there is no doubt that he won his encounter with Smith.He hurt him quite a few times,but the harmless Brit was hardly able to conect with any telling punches.A few years ago AA would have stopped such an opponent within the distance.Sure,I can understand that Smith wants to have a rematch.Any decent beaten fighter wants to have one.I can also understand that AA's promoter wants to have a rematch as Smith is a relatively weak opponent who will fight for a small purse.However,me as a fan I dont want to see a rematch between AA and the Brit.
AA vs the Russian Stieglitz IV will be far more thrilling and entertaining.