Ward and Dirrell are still young enough that a loss or two won't affect them: they're the future of the division. If Taylor gets KO'd again, he's gone. If Kessler loses, especially if he loses badly, people will say the two year hiatus was too much and that he's done- or worse, was overrated to begin with.
Ward and Dirrell, solely because they're undefeated fighters with the fickle American fan base behind them and because they both have styles that are quite beatable for the top dogs in this tournament. Froch can sustain a loss against someone like Kessler and still be considered a good boxer in his homeland. If Dirrell/Ward loses to Kessler, the ****'ll hit the fan for their career and they'll be Lacy/Taylored into non importance.
- This is a fight I look forward to. I thought Ward, against Miranda, showed a highly impressive array of skills. IMO it was incredible. - I don't expect him to look so good against Kessler, because I think the Dane is also very good in hiw way, but I think he can win against Kessler.
That is interesting - very insightful into the way fans will be based in the US - if their men lose a fight to a european.