Bob Arum: Kessler is on Pavlik's short list

This is pretty funny! You must have been typing this as I was typing my explaination, because it's exactly above your question:rofl

 

There is obviously no way no how Pavlik wins this fight. This is the first time he faces a guy with similar height and reach. Kessler can match him for a jab, Pavlik's whole game is based around the jab which means he'll find it difficult to set up his offense in this fight, and when he does he'll get tagged by the right cross

I see Pavlik getting into desperation mode, and walking forward looking for big shots, and Kessler will punish him time and time again with uppercuts and straight rights. I think an uppercut will lay him out, I don't see him taking the type of shot Joe did considering the times I've seen Pavlik hurt.

He's going down mid rounds.

 

But has Kessler ever been in with someone his own size, even taller, actually, who can go jab for jab with him and who likely has as much power? I'm not sure that he has, which makes this fight a toss-up.

 

Yeah, he's called Joe Calzaghe, who went one step further and beat him to the jab. But that was with speed and awkward angles, from the southpaw stance

Pavlik's jab is much more orthodox, but not as technically sound as Kessler's

 

Eh, sort of, but not really. Calzaghe threw very effective jabs later in the fight, but he's not a 'jab' fighter, per se. Both Kessler and Pavlik very much are. Also, Calzaghe certainly does not have the power that Kessler or Pavlik possess. Calzaghe beat Kessler with guile, ring savvy, adaptability and an awkward style that took Kessler completely out of his game. Pavlik would be meeting Kessler with virtually the same set of skills and strengths.

 

I agree and I disagree! The jabbing contest will be VERY important. some won't admit it, but Taylor's hand speed is just as good as Kessler's, and Pav clearly did okay with JT! However, Kessler's jab is much stiffer than Taylor's.

Pavlik has been seriously hurt ONCE in his career. That was after he took FIFTEEN, go count them, fifteen shots from Taylor.

We've never seen Kelly in desperation mode bent on landing one haymaker. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest it would happen against Kessler.

UPPERCUT!! Now that worries me. Pavlik seems to be very susceptible to uppercuts.

In all honesty I don't think Kessler has the emotional/mental strength to handle Pavlik's none stop pressure. That is the biggest difference between them.

 

Me too :good

 

Calzaghe turned the fight round starting with the jab. Round 4 or 5, if I remember correctly, that was the adaptation period. Watch it again

He expanded his offense, but it was all based around the jab, that gave him a starting point. It was one of the most disciplined fights I've seen him fight, but he still got caught by the excellent Dane

I agree, Kessler and Pavlik are similar, but only in some ways. I prefer Kessler's defence, more precise footwork, and sense of distance, which are key attributes when styles are closely matched. Pavlik is slower, and more square on, which isn't good against an accurate straight puncher.

 

Those are very good points. I think that in all likelihood Kessler has more skill, and he's a bigger guy as far as physique, but I do question whether he has enough fire inside him to overcome Pavlik's relentlessness. Pavlik certainly doesn't get flustered easily.

 

All good points. I gotta think this one is a toss-up though. It would have to be a fight of the year candidate.

 

The only question in this fight for Kessler is heart. I can see why people question Kessler's at times, but round 12 gave me hope. It was too little too late, but hopefully he learnt from that, it was good to see that aggression from him when required, almost coming out of his shell

My other worry about Kessler is variation and his ability to adapt. He's supposed to be working on his variety of punches, we'll see if it comes to fruition. He'll be a bad man with more uppercuts and left hooks.

He doesn't adapt at all, so far. But then neither has Pavlik, so hopefully it wont be a worry.

 

Those uppercuts against Calzaghe were lethal. I still don't know how he didn't go down. Stubborn Welshman. lol.

 

Yes Kessler is the bigger man, but strength wise Pavlik is a freaking monster. Pavlik also has a reach advantage, and when you compare the two physiques, I think the actual arm length goes to Pavlik by quite a bit. This is all an example of why this is such an intriguing fight. For every advantage you give one guy the other has something to negate it!

 

I would have posted on this thread already but you pretty much covered what I was going to say....

good job :good

 

Yep! round 12! In my opinion the MAIN reason Joe won was that he was willing to leave absolutely everything in the ring. Kessler did not seem to have the same attitude.