Super Six: Kessler vs Ward

I never asked for much on this forum but just to be a member front left and center. But when it comes to the "Viking Skirt" that is a term that the spiderman Slip invented...and if Kos is viewing this HE'LL know that he doubted the studying I put in to this fight. Kosaros will be the first to recognize that SLIP said to him from the Goddamn get go that this fight was the easiest 1:3 odds of the year 2009!

As soon as this was announced the friendly neighborhood SLIP..spoke to some respected Brit ESB members and said how easy of a fight this would be for Ward. They then replied with the "WOW" response letting SLIP know he was on his own island with this crystal ball foreshadowing. SLIP then let the whole forum know that SLIP was studying Kessler's habits and reiterated the stance that this was an overmatched, outclassed fight. So there it is.

Jokes aside, This was just a classic case of styles making fights, some people wonder why we always use that statement and think of it as a cliche but it becomes validated with fights like this. I picked Ward to win but didn't think he would make Kessler look like Pavlik lol this fight DID look similar to Hopkins vs Pavlik.

I can't really be dissapointed in Kessler though because he fought the best fight he could. Beside..examining his style and resume, he really didn't do anything out of character last night. The trend holds true, he is not great at adjustments and it didn't help he had a faster and slicker Ward outboxing him from the outside and going JAILHOUSE ROCK on the inside.

For my money he still outboxes Froch and KO's him and maybe Dirrell as well.

I agree with Tony Bellew, Abraham is the only one who beats Ward (i would actually pick AA to win) Kessler could still make it to the final (watch him KO froch next) this was basically his hardest match up.

Still AA vs Ward in the final for me. :good

 

Full respect to Mikkell, such a classy guy.

Still got Kessler over Froch. Ward was just a bad stylistic match up like i said. Ward is the best pure boxer in this tourney with AA. I picked him back in the summer to crown this tourney and I see nothing to change that.

Kessler was put on notice in round 1 he was going be beat to the punch. Ward is so damn patient setting up his punches. Bernard throws the right cross then clinches well Ward watched film on that lol But that's what students do they study and learn. Good to see my beloved science was represented last night. It always comes down to the grass roots. I marveled over Ward in that Miranda fight. I blanked out his opponent and watched his behavior. He behaves like a boxer. He knows when to clinch. He feints and stage his feet like a pro. He never gives you the same look twice. This kid is a true student. Kessler was so damn confused.

Btw if anyone hasn't seen it take a look at Wards fight vs Makarenko from his gold medal run at athens...Makarenko was a huge gold medal favourite going into those olympics but Ward fought a supremely intelligent fight to win.

 

Ward is just so smart and ring savvy, he behaves like a fighter. Did you see the head work? lol

Head butts and blind folds are technically illegal but it's a tactic in a survival sport. Ward definitely led with his head but so did two hof name Bernard and Evander. Kessler had a legitimate gripe but you gotta man up! Cotto and Juan Diaz did because they know that's boxing!

Kessler is a rhythm fighter and Ward speed and movement never allowed that. See on film Ward probabily seems ordinary but in live motion he's very extraordinary. He's not athletic as someone like Chad so (like Bernard) he relies on fundamentals. He sized him up with his left hand all night. They call that "blind folding" (see Ali vs Liston) some refs won't allow that but it's a smart tactic. Roy made a career out of it.