Mikkel Kessler vs. Kelly Pavlik right now - PART II

No problem. :good

Yeah, usually if the scheduled distance is 12 rounds it means there is a title on the line (even a bogus minor one), or else it's a final eliminator for one between the top ranked contenders. That was why I brought it up, since there's no reason to believe Pavlik and Kessler would get scheduled for the 12 round distance as neither has a belt (except that bogus one, which Pavlik probably doesn't care about).

 

I think Lopez is more of a natural SMW than Bouadla, but that's about it. He just surprised people by being more negative than he was on those few Youtube clips, and that probably threw Team Kelly's strategy for a slight loop. He didn't really show any top-notch skills, though.

How heavily would I favor Alfonso over Mehdi? Eh, not very heavily at all tbh..

 

I thought it meant he could bypass the whole ranking system and immediately challenge the current WBC titlist at his leisure (right now it would be a Froch rematch but it could ultimately wind up being Ward instead, if Ward unifies in the tournament final).

Isn't that how it worked for Vitali Klitschko? He got to emerge from 4 year retirement and immediately challenge for the WBC heavyweight title against Peter without a single tuneup or fight against a top contender to get back in the rankings.

The only reason Kessler can't exercise his emeritus status right now is because the Super Six is still in progress. He has to let Froch and Ward finish their business, and then his emeritus status gives him first crack at whoever winds up with the WBC belt (and, in a lucky stroke, he'll probably also get to challenge for the WBA belt at the same time since it will be unified although he isn't the WBA #1 contender either).

 

Oh, of course he did. It was wise and warranted; the fact is that he would have been able to do as Vitali did and challenge for the belt straight away coming off the layoff had the Super Six not still been in progress (and the WBC title tied up within it).

 

:think Definitely let us know if you do.

I'm pretty sure - but don't quote me on this - that if that European title hadn't been on the line the other night, Kessler as a non-champ would be relegated to a maximum of 10 rounds just like Pavlik.