Gerald McClellan vs Mikkel Kessler

Kessler's resume is substantially better than Mclellan's.

Mclellan's best win was over a Julian Jackson who was on his last legs but still had something left in their first fight, and the fight ruined him to the point where he should've retired before the Benn fight even happened. Every one of his highlight reel KO's came against someone who'd already been KO'd (early, I might add), and he always went for the kill because he found that when he couldn't KO his opponent, he'd get outboxed like he did against Ralph Ward and Dennis Milton (both UD'd him in a 8 and 6 rounder, respectively). This lead to a fighter who was completely untested in deep waters- the only time he went past 8 rounds was the Benn fight and only went 8 three times (going 2-1). His power combined with the matchmaking ensured that he had a steady supply of glass chins to shatter to build up plenty of hype, but it robbed him of the opportunity to develop properly.

After the Jackson fights when his behavior became more and more erratic, King basically gambled him against something he'd never faced before in Benn- a tough fighter who was much more battle tested and had fought tougher fighters than Gerald had, but one who'd also been stopped twice before. He knew damned well he'd be in trouble if he couldn't get Nigel out early.

How does this relate to Kessler? Kessler has a chin, he's got more well rounded skills, he's in better condition and is a proven 12 round fighter. That's enough for me to take him by UD or late stoppage.

Mclellan was a hell of an exciting fighter who fought with alot of balls, and that I'll always give him credit for, but the myth's outgrown the man at this point.

 

If you are a fan of boxing (is that a rhetorical question on this board?), please watch any of his fights or his highlights reel.

This guy was one bad mother.

I don't believe there is a man weighing 160 who he could not KTFO.

Regarding the Benn fight, there was something wrong early. GMan went into an instinctive fighting mode for most of that fight and eventually his body shut down. Otherwise, he would have KTFO Benn early. No disrespect to Benn who was also a granite-chinned power puncher.

 

Gman KO1