Prospect outboxes Prime Robo-Kessler!! Calzaghe's resume takes a Big Hit

If the ref hadn't been so lax in allowed Kessler to be hit repeatedly the fight would likely have turned out differently. A more impartial ref, willing to step in and prevent Ward from hitting Kessler would have done wonders.

 

I say/do something, you regard it as unfair, so you reverse it and repeat it. QED.

Edit: incidentally, I can't see any problem with Ward hitting Kessler in the normal course of events. Ward repeatedly hitting Kessler on the break is a different matter, and deserved some attention by the referee.

One more thing: I'm a casual boxing viewer, not a fanatic or anything. I would suggest that turning off such viewers is counter-productive in the long term. Some people probably get off on the intrigue and controversy, but most probably just want to see a fair fight instead, especially in relation to the officiating. If two fighters are light-years apart in terms of ability etc, that's their decision to fight each other, and there can be a certain freakshow element that is appealing to something like Haye-Valuev. But if blatant illegal tactics are in use by one guy, and the officials are turning a blind eye to them? Not so appealing, unless you always rooted for the gangsters in those old black & white movies where formerly proud fighters are invariably told to "take a dive in the fourth".

 

:rofl Yeah, let's not get carried away with age making any difference.

Let's see ... 40, 50, no big thing ...

Jermain Taylor gets two close decisions (one a SD) over a 40 1/2 and a 41 year old Hopkins.

Joe Calzaghe gets a split decision over a 43 year old Hopkins.

BHOP is about eleven years younger than Marvin Hagler. You think Bernard would be proud of a decision of any kind if he was in his early 30s and Hagler was in his early 40s?

The difference is that Hopkins or any elite athlete wouldn't be calling or touting that as an accomplishment.

To some dude on the internet .. well that is a whole different thing - and understandable I suppose.

 

Good point!

 

On first impressions I would agree, but Kessler will fight again in big fights, and may impress. And who knows how far Ward will go.

So I don’t think this really affects Calzaghe’s resume all that much, it was weak anyway!

 

funny the hate the Americans have for Joe.

A win for one of their fighters who becomes world champ vs a danish guy turns into a discussion about Calzaghe

 

epic fail.

Calzaghe wasnt hugging his opponent at every opportunity and headbutting.

PLUS...Kessler was undefeated at the time. I could go on but i cant be bothered.

Once again...i give credit to Ward and i'll leave it at that

 

Just so we're clear on this, Ward NEVER hit Kessler on the break. Hitting on the break is when the Ref steps in to separate the two fighters and one fighter hits the other while the ref is separating and resetting them. If the Ref has not stepped in you can and should keep swinging. It's perfectly legal and DUMB not to. As long as there is room to work fighters are encouraged to fight their way out of a clinch, which is what Ward did. Kessler didn't want to fight out, he wanted to take a couple of steps back to his preferred range, reset his feet, and start fighting. There was no onus on Ward to allow that and Ward did the smart thing, which was to hit Kessler as he tried to move outside, and then immediately close distance again.

 

The problem here is, instead of saying "Wow, Ward could turn out to be great" - you're all attempting to knock Calzaghe.

Cmon guys, don't be so pathetic.

Eubank, Hopkins, Reid, Woodhall, Veit, Sheika, Mitchell, Mkertchian, Starie - all fighters that continue to assure Joe's place when combined wtih his 20+ defenses, 45 wins without ever being defeated, etc.