I will be the first to admit I dont know much about Kessler. He sure came in good shape and didnt appear to get badly winded so his conditioning was quite good. Also, his cutman did a good job of keeping the blood to a minimum. But, who was that old guy in the corner supposedly giving Mikkel advice? Mikkel also has no Plan b for when things dont go right for him. IMO Mikkel needs a new trainer and motivator, someone who can adjust his technique just enough that he can adapt a little. I really dont know who is available for him. I was vocally upset with his corner work during the fight. I think your corner team and trainer have a big impact on how successful you are as a prize fighter. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Deja vu, same stuff after the JC fight, his advice is limited to "be hard on him Mikkel" He stated before the fight that Ward could't fight south paw and if he did it would be a great advantage for Kessler. Hmm i guess he called it wrong, again.
The announcers said during the fight that Mikkel didnt even have any southpaw sparring because Ward wont fight southpaw at all. This is elite level boxing, a team is critical. I see a massive black hole in Kessler's team.
Well I know that Jimmy Montoya couldn't be in Kessler corner as usual, and that the old man you are talking about is Richard Olsen. Kessler could get another trainer, but he's had the same trainer since the beginning and it's difficult to split up I guess, especially when it's someone you know and trust. I think his corner was absent like you, but there must have been something wrong going in to the fight... not physically but mentally. Kessler was a dissappiontment in many ways and I don't think it all can be creditet to Ward, Kessler didn't reach the level he should for this fight, like he was unprepared for Ward. It could very well be his team is incompetent at this level.
I was kinda shocked at him not really getting shouted at to raise his game in the last few rounds wierd man
How do you train for headbutts? However, Kesseler should have know what was going one, esp. after the judge problem and he still was stupid enough to fight Ward in his hometown with Ward's personal referee?! Damn, I have a bridge I will sell him.
I can only say that if that was my fighter I'd have told Kessler to fight fire with fire: "The next time he comes rushing in with his head down to set up another head butt, plant your forearm across the back of his neck, and your knee in his face. It'll cost ya a point, but you'll teach him a lesson." I'd have also told my fighter: "You ****ing KNOW he's gonna hit on the break, so the next time he clinches, spin his back to the ref, and plant your knee in his nuts." Keep doin that 'til ya get caught." **** Ward. The fact that this cheating religious fanatic now holds a world title is a disgrace to the sport.
Its difficult when you're from somewhere like Denmark. There's no boxing culture and cornermen don't get any experience and generally aren't going to be as good as trainers from boxing places. I guess as a fighter you have to choose between someone who speaks your langauge and someone who is a better trainer.
Well, only that you are right. Many around Mikkel believe that his corner all but cost him the fight against Calzaghe - and they certainly didn't shine here either (personally I think Joe would still have won, because Kessler gassed after round 6 or so and had to lower his output and that was it). At least they interfered less in a negative way than against Calzaghe. But they were also not helpful at all. Kessler does need a new trainer. He has pretty much perfected the style he has, but needs new inspiration. A trainer said after the fight that what Kessler needs to beat a guy like Ward is to learn to fight more like Hopkins. He needs to use headbuts, to use holding and so on. True... but isn't that a shame that boxing has come to that?
If I were a local boxer, fighting in community centers, I wouldn't want Kessler's coach. Awful under whatever aspect of the game you choose to look.
