A horrible stylistic match up for The Destroyer. Although overall Benn was the better, higher rated fighter, if they met in their 168lbs pomp I am taking the Dane to win everywhere but the UK. As we loved Benn, we were always going to give him the benefit of any doubt!
Agreed. Kessler was a handful for awhile. And Nigel always had styles and matchups where he just could not handle the opponent. I think this guy would join Malinga and Collins and Eubank & just not cooperate with Benn's style.
Benn's greatest moment (McClellan) might have come at 168, but that was the exception rather than the rule and the Super-Middleweight version of the Dark Destroyer was generally not quite as sharp, heavy-handed or indomitable as the Middleweight one. He was involved in a few drab fights at 168. He made up for losing those physical advantages which he'd had at 160 by becoming a little smarter in recovering when hurt at the higher weight, although I'm still curious as to what might have happened had there been another minute left right at the end of that second fight against Galvano. I think Kessler's just a little too solid as a 168 pounder, too resilient and rounded for Benn. Barring cuts I don't see Benn stopping him and I think I'd take Kessler's boxing on the outside. I think Benn would go the distance but his tendency to fade in fights could be costly and I see the Dane pulling clear in the championship rounds to take a deserved points win. Kessler was a little susceptible to speed, but Benn had a bit less of that at the higher weight.
