Kessler vs B-Hop would be an excellent fight with the outcome very much in doubt.

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Shake, Oct 26, 2008.


  1. Shake

    Shake Boxing Addict Full Member

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    But I'm not about to ask that of Hopkins. The man is 43 and just beat the middleweight champion (at LHW, but that takes none of the shine away), as far as I'm concerned he can retire with no questions left unanswered.

    But this matchup intrigues the **** out of me -- Kessler is fast, strong, intelligent, throws combinations well, is very much conventional and somewhat predictable (but what are ya gonna do about it? =P).

    BHop can adjust and dictate the pace like none other, sees all the punches, takes away his opponents strengths, is very much old and can't handle it when someone is able to force a fast pace on him (but nobody seems to be able to set the pace).

    Put a gun to my head and I'd go with Kessler by U.D. While BHop is the better boxer I think Mikkel's physical advantages outweight Hops ring guile.

    I expect Kessler to lose the first few rounds, though. Once Hop slows down in the middle rounds (yup, I know he didn't against Pavlik) he'll take over.
     
    Shake, Oct 26, 2008
    Shake, Oct 26, 2008
    #1
  2. Vanihm

    Vanihm Active Member Full Member

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    Kessler might get stage fright when fighting such a big name fighter as often happens with Danish athletes.
     
    Vanihm, Oct 26, 2008
    Vanihm, Oct 26, 2008
    #2
  3. hugo

    hugo Active Member Full Member

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    I agree: nice fight - who knows - Hopkins likes to be the underdog, so the fight might actually happen.
     
    hugo, Oct 26, 2008
    hugo, Oct 26, 2008
    #3
  4. Cross of Iron

    Cross of Iron Active Member Full Member

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    I would pick Kessler . I think he learned something from fighting Calzaghe , when you are close enough to hit the other guy then throw punches and throw them first , often and get the guy moving backwards - keep at him. Kessler let Calzaghe dictate the pace of their fight and that was his mistake.

    Calzaghe and Hopkins are experts at disrupting their opponents tempo . They do this by mixing up their side to side footwork and throwing punches from odd angles so that they are not predictable. Few sparring partners can match them in their ability to mix up speed and footwork so when you actually get in the ring with them it is like ok Plan A is out the window .... do we have a Plan B ?

    While Kessler is a bit mechanical in the ring , he is very good at it and i think what he learned from Calzaghe would be enough to beat Hopkins convincingly. Kessler just has more in the tank.... Hopkins wouldn't be fighting a puffed up 160# , Pavlik who was 75% healthy . He would be fighting a large 168# Kessler who is in his prime. The lead right is effective against Hopkins by the way.
     
    Cross of Iron, Oct 26, 2008
    Cross of Iron, Oct 26, 2008
    #4
  5. Olander

    Olander Active Member Full Member

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    I actually think Kessler did better against Calzaghe than Hopkins did.
     
    Olander, Oct 26, 2008
    Olander, Oct 26, 2008
    #5