If Kessler beats Ward?

I remember when kessler was the greatest thing on here since sliced bread,and 1 loss later to a better than average Joe and theres all these questions about him now....haha damned if you do damned if you dont

 

There are people on ESB who would have labeled Ali 'exposed' after his loss to Frazier.

 

if Kessler beats Ward... "Ward was never that good to begin with" "Kessler Exposed him" " Ward is a bum and Kessler will lose to the first real fighter"

 

Bit of a no-win situation for Kessler.

Ward looks to me like a real tough challenge,,, but if Mikkel beats him it will be easy enough to say; "Who was Ward anyway? untested, unproven, too green, bla bla bla etc"

 

Exactly! this is what i think most would say

 

I think this win would put Kessler back at the top. Besides Abraham, I dont think anyone else has a chance to beat kessler if Ward fails to. I liked how both fighters showcased on their last fights. I noticed alot of weaknesses on both camps and you just have to wonder who is going to capitalize on them better.

 

kessler is a very talented guy who was under the thumb of a slave driver for quite some time. the kessler of the first 6 rounds of the calzaghe fight beats anyone in this tournament. whether that kessler shows up will decide who wins this fight b/c ward is talented as well. i think of the kessler skepticism is due to his last couple of fights being less than impressive but he is the goods and if everyone in this tournament brings their "a" game...he wins.

 

If Kessler wins, people will turn on Ward and say he was out of his depth and never stood a chance.

 

I think Ward would be his toughest test since Calzaghe but I am expecting Kessler to beat him.

 

Both Ward and Kessler are good boxers. If Kessler wins, I wouldn't say Ward is a bum or none of that. I'd say it was a good win for Kessler yes. However, people on this site put Kessler on a pedestal he doesn't deserve to be on. I don't think Kessler is going to run through the tournament quite so easily. Now after the Froch-Dirrell bout, now it's generally expected for Kessler to demolish those two dudes as well. Both Froch and Dirrell are still live bodies who could match Kessler.

 

Let's try not to exaggerate...Kessler is the odds on favorite to win this tournament. However, I must say, if he fights the way he did in his last fight, he's in for a very long night.

 

Good post. I couldn't agree more. I recently rewatched Kessler vs. Joe, and I was impressed with the Dane's speed, power, and combinations. Then I watched his latest fight against I can't remember. That was actually his name, I can't remember. Anyway, Kessler did not look good in that fight. Sure, he got the early knockout, but he took way too many punches, especially jabs, and his combinations were slower than I have ever seen them. Maybe it was the layoff and maybe Kessler is just feeling the years...even though he's only 30. :huh