John Conteh vs Mikkel Kessler

A one sided win for Conteh.
Too big, too talented.

 

Conteh easily.

 

I lean Conteh but I don't think it's an easy fight at all and a Kessler win is not out of the question. Kessler was a hell of a fighter and one that no one ever had an easy time with. That said, Calzaghe used his superior quickness and movement to beat Kessler and I believe Conteh has that advantage as well.

Before folks make a big deal about how Conteh was a Lighheavy and Kessler was a super middleweight, please understand that Conteh fought in the same day weigh in era and Kessler was a big guy at 168 that was actually an inch or so taller.

Too me, the true advantage for Conteh is his speed and jab but Kessler was no slouch and he would make Conteh earn this one.

 

This. John was a level above Kessler, although Mikkel was no slouch

 

Kessler was a good fighter.
I think Conteh would be too much though.

 

Kessler is an inch taller and probably walked around in the upper 180's or 190's like most modern super middleweights. There really is no size advantage between the two. The physical difference comes down to Conteh's better speed.

 

Conteh’s first 20 fights or so were as a heavyweight, he fought around 185 pounds, which I would expect he trained down to.
I would think he was a bigger man than Kessler.

 

So is this fight taking place at heavyweight? I assumed we were talking about a fight at 175 which was Conteh's best weight and where Kessler would he fighting at if the fight takes place in the 70's since there was no 168 weight class and 160 on same day weigh ins would not be happening for either guy.

 

I favour Conteh, but I think there level is very close and for me it's a very close fight.

 

A jab aficionado's wet dream.


...and yes that is largely because of Conteh (who is my pick here as well, despite my fondness of him paling against my Viking Warrior fanboyism) but don't sleep on Mik's stick. There was a time, circa 2008, when most insiders pegged him as the likeliest emerging candidate to inherit the Holmes/Quartey torch as having the best active p4p jab for a while.

 

Conteh by one sided beating.

 

I think Conteh would win a close decision. He didn't consistently get wins against guys on Kessler's level, arguably never won on that level, and I see no reason to think he could match Calzaghe.

 

Who did Kessler beat at light heavyweight?