I think Carl Froch will beat Mikkel Kessler

I'm actually starting to think Kessler is more hype than substance. A couple years ago Kessler had a relatively small, but very vocal, fanbase here on ESB. Those guys made him sound like the second coming of Jack Dempsey. And, of course, after Slappy Joe beat him the calzombies jumped on board the Kessler express. Those two groups basically bludgeoned a lot of us into joining forces with the Kessler hype machine.

After Kessler's loss to Calzaghe I started calling MK "The Robo-Dane," and criticized his "deer in the headlights" response to Joe's movement and work rate. Since the Ward fight I'm pretty much back to my former position. Kessler needs a lot more than a new trainer. If he is too succeed in the tourney, he must totally reinvent himself. Irregardless of "style make fights" arguments the version that fought Ward wouldn't see the end of 8 against Froch.

 

Not arguing Kessler's limitations. However, nobody ever did well with Calzaghe's speed and workrate and Kessler looked better against Joe than Hopkins. It would take an exceptional fighter to deal well with what Calzaghe brought to the table.

Froch needed every bit of Taylor's tendency to tire to win that fight and every bit of a hometown ref and judges to beat Dirrell. Kessler looked very mediocre against Ward, but did Froch look that much better against Dirrell? Kessler may never be able to deal with very fast and/or slick fighters, but what will a slugger like Froch do to exploit Kessler's limitations?

 

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He defence is awful but he dont have his chin hanging out it is always tucked behind his shoulder.

 

I think Kessler will win, but one of the reasons I like Carl is that no matter what he'll try and find a way to win, so I'm not exactly confident in my pick.

 

:yep gotta love that about Carl

 

I don't agree with the Taylor one puch thing. Just before he got knocked down he took a huge shot which was still affecting him.
Froch's chin is granite!

 

Totally agree!

 

He looked beaten against Calzaghe but he still came out and won the 12th round big. That was impressive.

 

I like Kessler by late TKO, Froch will be confident but he isn't in Kessler's league IMO.

 

Kessler should win handily, but I think he's shot mentally. He crumbled in front of Ward and Calzaghe. Froch will walk into the ring with much less talent but much more confidence. Froch by tko.

 

IMO I think this would be one of the easiest fights for Kessler in the Super Six tourney if the the easiest

 

Kessler isnt strong mentally. Having that psyche coach proves it to me. After he lost to Calzaghe(which was not a close fight, he lost 9 rounds), he went on a cabbie bum fighting journey. After Ward I think hes gonna be more recked. Although fighting in Denmark might give him a boost, Carl Froch is too dumb to know how bad he is. Ithink he gets Kessler by close UD.

 

Froch IMO is the perfect fight after Ward for Kessler because Froch is easy to hit, stationary, deliberate, crude and slow as hell; all opposites of Ward. If Kessler loses to Froch I think he may have to rethink his career.

 

Let's see how sure of himself Froch will look when he faces someone like Ward. Obviously he will never face JC and losing confidence against JC isn't something to be ashamed of. Hopkins resorted to every dirty trick when he was getting tired against JC, not exactly a sign of confidence.