Kessler Career Review Part 2 (Ward Fight)

Ward- This was round one of the Super Six Classic. Kessler the favorite was against the lowest seed in Ward. Ward was an undefeated American Gold Medalist. It was in his Ward’s backyard. Ward was very much a dark horse kind of a fighter. We knew he was talented but nobody knew how good he was because he hadn’t had a tough fight and there was very little film of him. Not much was known of what he was capable of.


Round 1- Ward switching between stances and moving very well masters distance and dictates height. He bends and makes Kessler bend to give up height, Kessler had a very upright stance vs Calzaghe he looks very low here. Ward did better In the southpaw stance. No telling blows landed. Ward round


Round2- Ugly round. Ward is fighting a very frustrating strategy; he is going to the ropes trying to catch Kessler on the way in. Then in the middle of the ring he clinches and tries to be physical on the inside. I liked Kessler’s ring generalship and saw good jabs and a couple decent right hands get in. Ward landed a few good ones at the end of the round. Kessler round.


Round 3- Ward’s strategy paying dividends here, the hand speed and movement Calzaghe troubled Kessler with is once again showing with Ward. Though it’s less aggressive than Calzaghe its very spoiler like. Back up, leap with punches, then hold. Kessler is still in though cause Ward backs up a lot giving up ground and Kessler though having a hard time lading does get in some jabs and even landed a nice left hook at the end of the round that caught Ward’s attention. Ward round.


Round 4- Fight following a pattern now. Ward still holding a lot and retreating to the ropes a lot. That’s when Kessler lands. Ward throws an assortment of power punches but is pretty feather fisted. Ward briefly hurt and Kessler finishes round four very aggressive. Slight edge for a Kessler round.


Round 5- Ward aggressive early but slows. Ward fights in spurts, Kessler is controlling the ring and Ward just backs up and holds. Kessler pursues behind a jab. Kessler round.


Round 6- Better round for Ward. He didn’t back up that round. He actually moved forward and backed up Kessler. Kessler wasn’t without moments but overall Ward had that round. Ward round.


Round 7- Ward’s spoiler strategy starting to pay off more. Ward also coming in now trying to be the aggressor. Ward round.


Round 8- Ward’s offense consists of a right over the jab of Kessler and a lunging left hook. Whenever Kessler has a moment Ward holds him Kessler landed some good shots near the end of the round. Ward responded. Ward round but Kessler did alright.


Round 9- Kessler fighting with some heart and determination this round. Definitely earning his title as the Viking Warrior. Near the end he lands a nice series of blows. Ward hangs on. Kessler bouncing on his toes in the clinch good body language showing he hasn’t given up and he was not going quietly. Kessler round.


Round 10- Ward back on track this round, he landed a good assortment of power blows. Kessler is hanging tough and fighting hard but not enough. He also ate a nice head butt and there was no warning dealt out though it was Clottey Baldomir style. The holding is getting a little ridiculous too. Ward round.


Round 11-Fight stopped on cuts round thrown out for scoring though Ward was doing pretty well


Ward wins by TD round eleven; real judges had it 98-92 twice and 97-93. I had it a little closer giving Kessler one more round. I know I’ll probably take **** for this assessment but I thought the fight was little closer than some.



I did not see the headbutts during the fight probably cause I didn’t full screen the youtube video and the quality was ok but seeing the replays in the post fight they were obviously intentional but hidden. You could tell in the Ward interview he dodges that question by telling the interviewer that the fans can decide, BS answer. He also said there were only two when there were more like five. Ward held a lot and had a very John Ruiz like style. All in all Ward won fair and square. However, Kessler fought with determination and bravery. I didn’t see this fight as a domination like many say. Kessler was very game and Ward at least in my eyes backed up and held a lot and it showed on my score card. Kessler when not held landed some good shots and had him cornered a lot.


In a rematch I feel Kessler could win. Ward won based on strategy and speed. Also a lot of holding and possibly headbutts too but like I said he was a relative unknown before the fight. Besides 10 rounds with a limited Miranda there was no real footage of Ward. Kessler said post fight next time I need to move more side to side and not fight In the middle of the ring. With a ref that would break the clinches and warn for headbutts a better prepared Kessler with some film to study can win a rematch.