Kessler-Frotch: Even better upon second vewing

Strange... I just watched this fight for the second time and scored it again, because I've mislaid my first scorecard. I almost never re-watch a fight AND re-score it, so I thought I'd find somewhere to discuss this... and here I stumble across this thread!

Now, I scored this fight 116-112 to Kessler the first time, and thought Kessler won pretty convincingly. The second time around, I was slightly less convinced. I still had it 115-113 in Kessler's favor, but this fight seems to change character with each viewing.
What's so special about this fight, and makes it so hard to score, is the number of close rounds. It's a nightmare.
But here's why, even with all the close rounds, I think it's pretty clear that Kessler won:

* The few rounds I ever felt that one fighter dominated, were all Kessler's. He had a couple that I feel are not open for discussion.
* Kessler seemed to have a degree of ring generalship that Froch never accomplished in this fight. He was reduced to backing up and countering, for the most part - sometimes attacking in flurries. But the drive and the pressure were Kessler's. It looked like Froch had the real power... but I don't think he applied it effectively enough.

Not much to go on - but I thought it was significant in this fight.
I've always maintained that this was a clear victory for Kessler, but I think I have to adjust and say that it was a tough victory.
Maybe, MAYBE even a draw would've been acceptable... because it sure must have been hard for Froch to lose his belt is such a manner. Ask yourselves if the old concept of the challenger having to TAKE the belt from the champion was applied adequately here.

Damn... i guess I have to watch this fight for a third time one of these days.

 

Segura vs. Calderon is the only fight that trumps it this year.

 

great fight i think Kessler won it very close. In retrospect with the Kessler injury it would have been better if they gave Froch the decision.

 

this is my fight of the year. but its a weak fight of the year.

 

Don't see how anybody scored this a draw or for Froch. I had Kessler 116-112 but you could have 117-112. I think all of the clean work was done by Kessler and I don't agree with the challenger having to take take the belt in a fight like this where both are respected fighters if ever.

 

I had Kessler 7-5...haven't seen it since.

I don't think it's FOTY but it's one of the best ones, for sure. Last round very dramatic.

 

I had it 114-114

 

i had it 7-5 froch, i thought the home crowd swayed the judges scorecards. great fight though, 2 fighters with big, big hearts.

 

i had kessler winning 8 rounds to 4. Anyone who had Froch winning is a disgrace imo

 

It was close because the rounds were close, but Kessler simply won more rounds. A couple of times it looked like if Froch had applied more pressure he could have got Kessler out of there, but he let it slip away. No shame in losing that fight.

 

I hate Froch but either Froch won by a point or it should have been a draw.

 

You're terrible at scoring fights.

 

kessler by 2 rounds easy.

Those body shots he put on froch really done damage

 

Good fight, Kessler 116-112