Kessler v Bute

Kessler was not his usual self against Sartison. It's true Sartison was slightly better than expected, but Kessler's timing wasn't at its best. Timing is one of his key attributes, and its also one of the first things that is hurt by inactivity

The jab was fine as always, but he didn't time the right hand until round 6 or so.

 

I have never said that Bute is not much to write home about. He is a top notch performer at 168, as evident by his resume and title.

My hometown "boy" lost to a world class boxer, and one of the most versatile fighters I have ever seen. Kessler was outsmarted, which show signs of a intelligent and experienced fighter. The mere fact that father time hasn't robbed him of physical abilities is a marvel to behold. You think Bute would stand a chance? Or anyone else from 160-175?

I have no special hope that Andrade beats Bute. I have known and liked Bute far longer than Andrade. I like them both. Both as fighters and as personalities. I just call it, as I see it. If Bute shows a new and better side of himself, I'd much appreciate it. Nor do I need to talk up Andrade as some sign that Kessler will win against Bute. Boxing does not work like that, as explained earlier. Kessler can win on his own, and doesn't need me as a confident booster.


Judging from his performance against Sartison, it must be evident that you hold Kessler in very high regard. You seem confused.

 

He wasn't his usual self, but I saw some new things that were great, ie more implimentation of uppercuts and hooks, and greatly increased stamina lvls, specially in comparison to the Calzaghe fight. Otherwise I agree with your post.

 

Yeah, I rate Kessler. He's better than Bute but he ain't an elite level fighter. He's not versatile, intelligent or strong-willed enough to ever make it at the highest level. Seems he's going backwards rather than forwards after a loss too; that's never a good sign. But yeah, I like watching Kessler. He's the best fighter at 168 lbs, Calzaghe excepted.

 

He has one of the best jabbers in boxing today. He has fought almost of the the top rank boxers at 168, and outboxed them all, save one. Whom do you consider elite today, because I would like to hear that extremely narrow list.

I do not care to explain(again) to you why he looked worse in this fight. Or the one before than;flip back some pages. I fail to understand you word that he isnt intelligent nor strong-willed enough. You have no evidence to support your claim, whereas I do have for the opposite. Doesn't it take intelligence to outbox all opponents regardless of styles? Almost winning every round, and not get tagged often. Strong-willed? He has tried to take on the best. Even when utterly tired from round 6 against Calzaghe he kept it on, and won last round due pure will. So what the hell are you on about?

You have absolutely nothing to support your claims...

 

Allright, allright, I didn't mean to upset you, feller! Seems you have some strong feelings about your boy!

 

I am not upset at all. I love debating, which is one of the reasons why I am here.

I am just waiting your response to my post, so please respond to it.

 

Nah man your wrong again, didn't you know God lived in Dennmark ?

 

Interesting fight. Neither Kessler nor Bute is proven against top competition and both fighters have shown flaws. Kessler got soundly defeaten by Calzaghe. You can make a case that a top fighter in his prime should have been more competitive against an aging Joe. Bute has looked somewhat lackluster against inferior opponents with shaky chins such as Berrio, and took nearly the entire fight to get a stoppage.

However, there is no denying that both are great fighters and finding strenghts is easier than finding flaws. Kessler has perhaps the best textbook Euro style in all of boxing, but this brings with it some clear flaws such as poor head movement and predictable combos. Kessler's somewhat rigid style is his biggest weakness as well as his greatest strength, and is why he lost to Calzaghe in a sporadically competitive match. Bute has an effective slightly unorthodox style that involves more hooks, body jabs, and head movement. An unorthodox fighter can usually pull off the win against an equally skilled textbook fighter because he has the advantage of unpredictability, and Butes strengths will give him a good chance against Kessler.

I believe Kessler is more skilled than Bute, but not enough as to negate Bute's stylistic advantages completely. I think this is a 60/40 fight in Kessler's favor.

 

He does? I didn't know this. But then again, I have always felt that Denmark was a special place.

 

I have to agree, great observations!

 

Bute has picked up a few bad boxing habits that Kessler will punish him for. It usually takes a loss to wake these guys up and that is what he will get.

 

Really good post. Most insightful and precise post of the day on ESB probably.:good

 

1) Define top competition.
2) Isn't it always like that? Your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness.
3) Whats unpredictable about Bute? And having the correct style makes you predictable? I agree that Kessler is somewhat predictable, but has absolutely nothing to do with being textbook.

 

Bute doesn't have stylistic advantages at all. Bute's primary gameplan is to fight a European type style, like a more flawed, southpaw version of Kessler. This is how his trainers tell him to fight. He's only aggressive and more unorthodox when his opponent has nothing to offer

When he starts off fighting this style against Kessler, he'll lose the early rounds cleanly, because his jab doesn't compare to Kessler's, and he keeps his hands down, completely open to Kessler's laser like right hand. He could easily lost the first 5 rounds like this, before he realises he has to change in desperation