Depends on how you look at it. Yes, Kessler has better power, stamina and a better jab...but it stops there. Does he have better timing? More accurate? Better inside fighter? Better movement? Smarter? Dirtier and tougher to fight? You already mentioned the defense. Kessler is a good fighter...but Im sorry, he is no Bernard Hopkins.
But he would beat Bernard Hopkins, stronger than Calzaghe physically and unlikely to turn up thowing punching with bad technique.
I think calzaghe is slowing down as well, atleast thats what it seems to me. I dont think Jones-trinidad was entertaining. I mean it is just an opinion. But he did seem to go easy on trinidad. I dont know if he was gunshy and afraid to get hit by trinidad or if he felt bad for him and didnt want to ko him. Either way, I really dont see roy having the work rate to win against calzaghe. He could walk through Calzaghe's shots and trade with him and land hard fast counters. With Calzaghes leaky defense, Roys speed and power, he could stop him. But lets be serious, Roy has been fighting like he doesnt want to get hit anymore. He still has speed but he aint the same. If he really wanted it, he maybe could win against calzaghe, but his heart just isnt in it anymore. I see calzaghe outworking him and winning this easy.
No way he beats Bernard. I mean, HOW COULD THAT HAPPEN??? The only reason Joe was able to do it was he was able to adapt well enough to get off enough punches to outwork him. Kessler would be UNABLE to do that. And Bernard was stronger than Calzaghe (just not as fit in the stamina dept.)...that was obvious. Joe's strength isnt his "strength" so to say. Kessler loses a very boring WIDE UD. Be serious dude. I know by building up Kessler, you absentially build up Joe...but get over it. Kessler is a good fighter...nothing more.
I think Joe fell between two stools in the Hopkins fights. He stated beforehand that he was going to sit on his punches a bit more and punch with more intent. The flash knockdown upset all of that so he reverted to type but hadn't prepared mentally to fight that way. Against the Kesslers & Manfredos of this world, it's easier to pull things out of the bag. Hopkins was a good foe.
And thank God for that ... Kessler is actually a pleasure to watch in and out of the ring - He fights clean and he admits defeat - both things Hopkins never did...
Taylor beat Hopkins twice - and just about everything Taylor does Kessler does better - Kessler-Hopkins would end in a UD and it would be a terrible fight (any fight with Hopkins are these days) - but the winner would be Kessler.
And that is why: Calzaghe Vs Kessler = The finest example of boxing one could hope to see Calzaghe Vs Hopkins = a disgrace to boxing
atsch (if I wasnt leaving in 5 mins to go to the Red Sox game...I would answer this....I will later...but wow...)
Yeah, I reckon Hopkins' could struggle against Kessler. But the man always finds a way to make things close. Against Kessler I reckon Hopkins would make things physical (head butts, elbows, as much holding as possible) and test Kessler to the body. Is Kessler's footwork good enough to keep the fight on the outside against Hopkins or would BHop succeed in spoiling again?
No way would current day Hopkins beat Kessler. No way! Kessler would do better than Calzaghe did. That is for sure!
Well Taylor did alright - my money would be on Kessler doing better - but it's a highly unlikely matchup - far too much to loose for Hopkins and too little gain (as in close to none). as for the inside fighting - Kessler uppercut would suit that low headbutting head of Hopkins just fine