WildWaylon wrote:Despite being 35, I think Joe still has the conditioning and the reflexes but his hands are his biggest problem - I think he can box his way to victory but the margin will be close - If it is close, as I believe it will be, I think he has to risk his hands trying for a late stoppage to make sure of the win - From what little I have seen of Kessler, he doesnt seem to have the the range of skills that Joe has and appears a little too upright - He does however put together good combinations and his workrate and defense are good also, therefore he will win rounds unlike Lacy - Its all a matter of how many rounds he can take off Joe - My bet is the rounds will be close and hard to score causing concern for the Calzaghe corner and Calzaghe fans - I am pretty sure Joe will take Kesslers punches but likewise I think Kessler can live with Joes - I just cant see a KO which means it will be down to the judges scorecards and we all know what a worry that can be - Who wants a contraversial decision either way when there is so much at stake? - Another thing, Joe doesnt need to showboat, this on paper is Joes toughest fight to date so concentration is going to be key throughout the fight.
I have a hard time making up my mind as well. Close decision is kind of the median forecast, given that it is in the UK a close decision would probably go JC's way.
I reckon Kessler will start cautiously behind his tight defense and sensational jab and move a lot, but JC will attempt to steel rounds with his handspeed. Kessler will come out strong towards the end but may run out of time.
Calzaghe will be too quick and too busy for Kessler. Calzaghe's hand problems aren't an issue (he simply ups the workrate and doesn't load-up when anything breaks/cracks/bruises).
Kessler has good power so a stoppage either way wouldn't be overly surprising, but it's tough to see a static Kessler winning the fight behind his jab.
Andy Mac wrote:
Hey LC how ya doin? I moved to Spain mate, but it has taken this long to get a phone and internet access.
Moved over to Spain eh? Sounds good. Fancied of change of scenery then? Good to have you back Andy.
Thanks a lot LC. Its good to be back. Scenery is great, especially on the beaches Glad to be back , cant wait to resume verbal sparring with the yanks.
I personally think that the question of whether Kessler will / can win depends upon whether he can knockout Calzaghe. Joe will overwelm anyone with hand speed, persistance and venom. So I feel it is whether kessler can box well enough to make things difficult for Joe with a view to knocking him out. Kessler is clearly strong and capable, but he will have to be the first to ever knock Joe out cold, otherwise as history has shown, Joe will get up and simply pick up the speed and momentum. I sway for Calzaghe because of his experience and style of fighting. As a fan, I want to Joe to win also. But this is a dangerous fight and it could be the end of Joe's reign. Always knew he wanted these type of fights, few champion boxers want to con their way to world status. As to whether managers / promoters have had the same intentions is a different matter. But Joe is a warrior.
DavidPayne wrote:Is this Calzaghe v a fresh Woodhall?
Calzaghe is in for fright here. But I think he is such a rounded fighter, the chinw ill be tucked and the handspeed on full display.
Calzaghe 8-4 or 7-5.
Calzaghe vs more than a fresh Woodhall, IMO. Kessler's straight, clean shots will make the difference. If kessler can keep him at long range I can't see Joe's shots doing any damage.
Ppl know what Joe does now, post Lacy; and Joe has become a bit predictable. Volume, smother, fall in. Kessler's a cool customer and I think he can contain Joe enough to have 7 good rds and win a close one.
DavidPayne wrote:Is this Calzaghe v a fresh Woodhall?
Calzaghe is in for fright here. But I think he is such a rounded fighter, the chinw ill be tucked and the handspeed on full display.
Calzaghe 8-4 or 7-5.
I've always thought if Woodhall was fresher and naturally stronger then he would have beaten Joe, even the 2000 version of Joe.
I still think Woodhall is a terrific win. I wonder how much forther Richie would have gone without the right arm injury. What a brave sod, pelting Joe with right after right in what I think is the best fight Calzaghe was in. Shame that Woodhall and Francis were hindered (to various degrees) with a bad right arm.
DavidPayne wrote:Is this Calzaghe v a fresh Woodhall?
Calzaghe is in for fright here. But I think he is such a rounded fighter, the chinw ill be tucked and the handspeed on full display.
Calzaghe 8-4 or 7-5.
Calzaghe vs more than a fresh Woodhall, IMO. Kessler's straight, clean shots will make the difference. If kessler can keep him at long range I can't see Joe's shots doing any damage.
Ppl know what Joe does now, post Lacy; and Joe has become a bit predictable. Volume, smother, fall in. Kessler's a cool customer and I think he can contain Joe enough to have 7 good rds and win a close one.
Hmm I think you way undervalue his skill and its effectiveness. Just cos people have seen him fight at his best does not make him predicatble. If anything his furious style is unpredicatble in that its chaotic and non-stop. Any fight style can be described as predictable if it has been observed in a previous fight. Truth is Kessler knows how Joe fights but that does notmake it a certainty that he will be able to successfully combat it.
DavidPayne wrote:Is this Calzaghe v a fresh Woodhall?
Calzaghe is in for fright here. But I think he is such a rounded fighter, the chinw ill be tucked and the handspeed on full display.
Calzaghe 8-4 or 7-5.
Calzaghe vs more than a fresh Woodhall, IMO. Kessler's straight, clean shots will make the difference. If kessler can keep him at long range I can't see Joe's shots doing any damage.
Ppl know what Joe does now, post Lacy; and Joe has become a bit predictable. Volume, smother, fall in. Kessler's a cool customer and I think he can contain Joe enough to have 7 good rds and win a close one.
Hmm I think you way undervalue his skill and its effectiveness. Just cos people have seen him fight at his best does not make him predicatble. If anything his furious style is unpredicatble in that its chaotic and non-stop. Any fight style can be described as predictable if it has been observed in a previous fight. Truth is Kessler knows how Joe fights but that does notmake it a certainty that he will be able to successfully combat it.
I admit he raises his game to the opponent. But I think the Calzaghe gimmick might be over. Maybe he can adapt and overwhelm. But maybe he fell in love with the 1000 punch massacre and thinks he can just windmill away on anyone ie more is better. The last two fights suggest that, as I see it. In that way the quality and technically accomplished style of Kessler could be instrumental. Kessler isn't just a decent European who folds. His jabs alone have a cumulative effect, and he likes throwing in combination of straight and hard shots.
Despite being at an age when most fighters would be forgiven for losing the hunger & determination, Calzaghe, having been champ for ten years, still remains as dedicated as ever.
This type of dedication will see him through come Nov 3rd. I believe Joe will rise to the challenge & win by UD, maybe even by TKO between rounds 10-12.
Kessler is very, very good, but I feel it's now or never for Joe because he's 35. Kessler is only 28 & if he loses, he can come again. It's all or nothing for JC, & I reckon he'll put in a winning performance.
It will be interesting to see how Kessler deals with Calzaghe's hand-speed & the sheer volume of punches coming at him?
Autobarn wrote:Calzaghe vs more than a fresh Woodhall, IMO. Kessler's straight, clean shots will make the difference. If kessler can keep him at long range I can't see Joe's shots doing any damage.
Ppl know what Joe does now, post Lacy; and Joe has become a bit predictable. Volume, smother, fall in. Kessler's a cool customer and I think he can contain Joe enough to have 7 good rds and win a close one.
Hmm I think you way undervalue his skill and its effectiveness. Just cos people have seen him fight at his best does not make him predicatble. If anything his furious style is unpredicatble in that its chaotic and non-stop. Any fight style can be described as predictable if it has been observed in a previous fight. Truth is Kessler knows how Joe fights but that does notmake it a certainty that he will be able to successfully combat it.
I admit he raises his game to the opponent. But I think the Calzaghe gimmick might be over. Maybe he can adapt and overwhelm. But maybe he fell in love with the 1000 punch massacre and thinks he can just windmill away on anyone ie more is better. The last two fights suggest that, as I see it. In that way the quality and technically accomplished style of Kessler could be instrumental. Kessler isn't just a decent European who folds. His jabs alone have a cumulative effect, and he likes throwing in combination of straight and hard shots.
I think you're being a bit harsh here fella - Dan Birmingham, who trained Winky as well as Lacy, said he put on a masterclass, and there are few European fighters who use angles as well as Joe when he's in the 'zone' (as opposed to not being 'up' for a fight and just winging away a la Bika etc).
Because Calzaghe recognises he's in the hardest fight of his life I think you'll see less volume and more 'cuteness', in terms of angles and boxing skill.
Whether that's going to be enough, I really don't know, and that's what makes this such a massively appealing fight
Hmm I think you way undervalue his skill and its effectiveness. Just cos people have seen him fight at his best does not make him predicatble. If anything his furious style is unpredicatble in that its chaotic and non-stop. Any fight style can be described as predictable if it has been observed in a previous fight. Truth is Kessler knows how Joe fights but that does notmake it a certainty that he will be able to successfully combat it.
I admit he raises his game to the opponent. But I think the Calzaghe gimmick might be over. Maybe he can adapt and overwhelm. But maybe he fell in love with the 1000 punch massacre and thinks he can just windmill away on anyone ie more is better. The last two fights suggest that, as I see it. In that way the quality and technically accomplished style of Kessler could be instrumental. Kessler isn't just a decent European who folds. His jabs alone have a cumulative effect, and he likes throwing in combination of straight and hard shots.
I think you're being a bit harsh here fella - Dan Birmingham, who trained Winky as well as Lacy, said he put on a masterclass, and there are few European fighters who use angles as well as Joe when he's in the 'zone' (as opposed to not being 'up' for a fight and just winging away a la Bika etc).
Because Calzaghe recognises he's in the hardest fight of his life I think you'll see less volume and more 'cuteness', in terms of angles and boxing skill.
Whether that's going to be enough, I really don't know, and that's what makes this such a massively appealing fight
Agreed. It was a masterclass and in my opinion, his skill and style should not be referred to as a gimmick. This is world clas boxing and Joe fights at pace and with ferocity. Crazy to refer to as a gimmick! Its a style and strategy that has kept him as the best in the world.
Rocky Balboa wrote:Despite being at an age when most fighters would be forgiven for losing the hunger & determination, Calzaghe, having been champ for ten years, still remains as dedicated as ever.
This type of dedication will see him through come Nov 3rd. I believe Joe will rise to the challenge & win by UD, maybe even by TKO between rounds 10-12.
Kessler is very, very good, but I feel it's now or never for Joe because he's 35. Kessler is only 28 & if he loses, he can come again. It's all or nothing for JC, & I reckon he'll put in a winning performance.
It will be interesting to see how Kessler deals with Calzaghe's hand-speed & the sheer volume of punches coming at him?
Joe also has Enzo Calzaghe's genius, Kessler has a Ricard Olsen.
DavidPayne wrote:Is this Calzaghe v a fresh Woodhall?
Calzaghe is in for fright here. But I think he is such a rounded fighter, the chinw ill be tucked and the handspeed on full display.
Calzaghe 8-4 or 7-5.
The choice of Referee and the judges is going to be crucial - said before it will be a controversial fight - extremely curious who they will get in for the judges.
DavidPayne wrote:Is this Calzaghe v a fresh Woodhall?
Calzaghe is in for fright here. But I think he is such a rounded fighter, the chinw ill be tucked and the handspeed on full display.
Calzaghe 8-4 or 7-5.
The choice of Referee and the judges is going to be crucial - said before it will be a controversial fight - extremely curious who they will get in for the judges.
I totally agree. This will be extremely important, because - god forbid - the judges can easily play an essential part in this fight.
I think the fight's going to be decided on reach. Calzaghe battered Lacy because he could volley him off with short shots. I don't think he would have been as dominant vs a tall puncher, for instance. Kessler just doesn't stand in that "zone"; rather he commands from the perimiter. Joe has to work harder to get the fight where he wants it and while Joe's trying to close the gap he's getting picked off.
Glad to be back , cant wait to resume verbal sparring with the yanks. 