...and go straight in for another title, or should he fight a contender like Froch or Lacy/Manfredo winner first and then fight Bute ?
Kessler has already beaten Mundine...in Mundine's backyard...anyway, Mundine is quasi-retired! If Kessler beats Calzaghe, I would advise him to call out Bute straight away...Bute would not be ready to beat Kessler, especially not the man who beat Calzaghe...but he would have to say YES if he didn't want to lose a lot of (self)-respect. Then, Kessler would have a good chance of unifying everything there is to unify, before moving up to face Dawson. This is definitely the best plan for Mikkel!
But to answer the question...if Kessler loses to Calzaghe, he should rematch Mundine...Bute would not fight him anyway, nor should he be expected to. Bute needs quite a bit of work and he is not ready for Kessler yet, unless Joe really lacys Kessler - which won't happen. Of course, Kessler COULD call out Bute, and indeed, he should, just to bluff, knowing that Bute would not say YES anyway...then, he can call out Mundine who WOULD say YES...even though he knows he loses again.
I don't think Mundine wants to fight Kessler again, he is happy to fight tomatoe cans and earn a lot of money.
Bute, Mundine, Lacy or Froch. He has said, that because of his back-problems he will only do the fights that matters, and I can't see this match changing that, unless Joe really does a number on him Lacy-style.
Of course he is happy...but if Kessler calls him out, he simply cannot say NO without losing ALL his hardcore knowledgeable fans. Hasn't Mundine repeatedly called out for a Kessler rematch? Of course, Mundine might amaze us all and call out for JC - the winner - himself!!!:shock: I wouldn't put it past him, to be honest!:verysad