Yes, they showed they don't have the necessary experience at this level, nor with the fact that Kessler couldn't control or get his boxing going. They paniced, and it's inexcusable, but TeamPalle aren't too experienced in fighting infront of 50,000 screaming fans - and it's very easy to get flustered, when things that should work, never get off the ground. I agree, all in all, it seems like Calzaghe took this fight much more serious, than TeamPalle did. The fact that Calzaghe didn't have any trouble with making weight, which was really what people mostly expected, while Kessler for once had, was not a good sign. I don't count too heavily on rumors, but rumur has it that Kessler peaked too soon in his training, is also inexcusable, if indeed that is the case. It all seems like Kessler and his team was so certain that Kessler was the better man, that they forgot to look at their opponent. Finally, yes, I agree, that Kessler showed great heart, as we know he can(like the final round vs Andrade), and tried the only thing that he had success with(the uppercut) - but using tools that he have never been accustomed to use priorly, depicts pretty well, that Kessler was really at a loss. Team Warren/Calzaghe deserves full credit for prober preparations, and taking this fight with the right amount of respect. Nonetheless, I think it will be a eyeopener for Kessler - especially in the field where his normal comfort zone(trainer and style) doesn't cut it at elite level.
Some call this a flaw in his way of fighting. I call it fighting with caution; being smart. Yes, he could win more destructively, but also at unnecessary risk. However, against JC he had to throw that caution overboard as he was behind on points, but he didn't have the stamina to follow through.
Agree on all points except one. At what point do you simply say that Kessler wasn't good enough to beat Calzaghe?
My only hope is Pavlik and his team have enough sense to stay away from Calzaghe for now, Calzaghe is lethal poison to fighters with his type of style and I think it's the same with Kessler. Do you think Kessler will be able to make a successful comeback after his loss? His mindset seems very strong.
from what i have seen from kess is he uses that jab to much to set himself up and when JC took that away he was like a fish out of water he had nothing else that could work. JC in the 12th was stupid he knew he was ahead on points but he still went machoman and could have got punished. Kess is not in the same league as JC and i think if they fought another 4 or 5 times JC would win every time. i hope Kess comes backs and gets a belt as he deserves one
Yeah, I already respected Calzaghe's prowess, and the Kessler fight even enchanced this to new levels. I wouldn't hold it against Pavlik, if he wants to go after Calzaghe - afterall, he has all the confidence in the world, and rightly so. However, I do feel that Calzaghe is too versatile for him as well. Yes, I think that Kessler will rebound from this. He is rebuilding confidence as the OP said, and why shouldn't he. He has still accomplished to outbox anyone but JC, and since Calzaghe is still an undefeated world beater, plus possibly an ATG - he has still alot of hope. Right now, he is probably just disappointed that he finally had the shot he had been waiting for, and then failed to follow through, plus all the belts are no longer his, and he has to start somewhat over yet again. Still alot of good fights remaining to be done at SMW.
I was about to make a topic prior to the Calzaghe fight, whom people would suggest to train Kessler in the future. Olsen has been good for him, and knows him well, which is good. However, none of his trainers have the experience at the highest level, with dozens of elite fights under their belt. I had thought about Steward, who seems to have philosophies that fits Kessler. If I wanted Kessler to add a new dimension to his boxing, I would have suggested Freddy Roach, to make his boxing more dynamic, but maybe that would ruin Kesslers style too much. Maybe Kessler has realized this, as he now trains in the US with people who have followed him closely, and have a few ideas on what to enhance. To your last statement I think, we will see a new kind of Kessler. There was no need to change anything before Calzaghe, simply because "If it isn't broke, don't fix it.". The Cardiff fight showed that it was slightly broken, and he needs to alter a few things. All in all losses are often a good education, if the fighter still believes in his abilities, but realizes that he needs more things to improve on. Even if he did lose by a good margin, he wasn't Lacyed, and therefore not in the impression that he wasn't nearly as good I he had led himself to believe, it just wasn't enough on the night.
I'll admit to that the day you admit that you are a sissy, afraid of seeing a rematch where Calzaghe is taken apart in front of a hostile audience. :bart
Another lame oracle. You can't say much about the influence of the surroundings of the fight until you have seen Calzaghe in similar conditions...come on now. We still haven't seen that. I know it's a beaten horse but please try to accept facts. Anyhow, you are right about Calzaghe turning 37.