Thought it was worth giving it a separate shout-out even if only to let Freiheit and the boys how much we respect him.
Kessler was willing to come to Wales, he put in a great effort, particularly when he went for broke in the 12th, and then showed absolute class and humility in the post-fight interview.
Consequently I think it's fair to say that while he lost the fight he's won over a huge number of fans in England who'll follow his career with interest from now on. I genuinely hope he regains a belt in the future as he typifies everything that's great about boxing.
And best of all he's half-English, so when he does win a world belt again we can claim him as one of our own
I think he'll be the super middle boss when Joe moves up.
Watching the fight again, I noticed a few things:
1) I scored it MUCH closer 2nd time - 7-5 Joe
2) If Kessler can learn how to throw short punches, he'll have a very difficult package
3) He gave Calzaghe the two worst rds of his career (4th and 12th)
4) Looking at the 1st half in particular, before Joe took over, what struck me is how much of a higher standard it was than Pavlik-Taylor in technical terms.
5) Kessler IS an elite fighter, but he's not quite fluid/loose enough to keep winning rds vs Calzaghe
Props to Kessler. Made quality title defenses and gunned for the #1 in his backyard. Big balls to do that and it's something Hopkins and Floyd refuse. Good luck in the future & there's LOADS of great super middleweight fights out there for you.
thepocketrocket wrote:Yeah, I had it by 2 rounds also, maybe One if I scored an even round, it was a close fight, joe did well
the crowd and the fact that Joe took over in the 2nd half did make it seem wider, IMO. Kessler's big last rd made it closer than I thought it was.
Exactly, the right man won but it was close...
Joe pulled the De La Hoya trick in the middle rounds..Kessler would work well for 2 mins then Joe would have a flurry or two in the last minute, some of those rounds I gave to Kessler
Very good fight and both men gave a great account of themselves. Kessler definitely brought it last night and he showed he's got big stones by going into Joe's backyard and not freezing. The only extra thing he could have done is pull the trigger a bit more. Obviously that's easier said than done, but he allowed Calzaghe to control things a bit to much.
Kessler was and is an absolute class act. I was already an admirer, I'd say I'm a fan of his now.
As for Kessler v Froch I really don't think Froch could beat him. Kessler was bamboozled a bit by Calzaghe's speed and movement last night does anyone really think he'd have a problem with Froch standing in front of him with his low slung defence? I don't.
nickd wrote:Kessler was and is an absolute class act. I was already an admirer, I'd say I'm a fan of his now.
As for Kessler v Froch I really don't think Froch could beat him. Kessler was bamboozled a bit by Calzaghe's speed and movement last night does anyone really think he'd have a problem with Froch standing in front of him with his low slung defence? I don't.
Yes, that straight right down the pipe may just connect.....
nickd wrote:Kessler was and is an absolute class act. I was already an admirer, I'd say I'm a fan of his now.
As for Kessler v Froch I really don't think Froch could beat him. Kessler was bamboozled a bit by Calzaghe's speed and movement last night does anyone really think he'd have a problem with Froch standing in front of him with his low slung defence? I don't.
Yes, that straight right down the pipe may just connect.....
sounds about right. Froch defence too low, Kessler's punches to fast and rangy.
Still sure would be a good one too watch. Plus when Kessler goes for it as he tried to in several spells last night there is something of a flurry about him, compared to Froch whose single shots stand out more.....what happens tho' if that doesn't land and there's a guy a powerful as Kessler chucking 4s and 5s back at you.
Came across like a top guy, and judging by the numbers who travelled I'd go as far to say that the Danes excelled themselves last night, pat on the back. Hopefully no naughties with the rape and pillaging.
Joe was totally confident before and throughout the fight - Kessler looked a little nervous before the fight and in the final rounds he looked as though he knew he was going to lose - However, Kessler fought on hoping for the KO which he needed to win and showed great courage - He will come back and dominate the division, Im sure of that - He is real class.
Autobarn wrote:I think he'll be the super middle boss when Joe moves up.
Watching the fight again, I noticed a few things:
1) I scored it MUCH closer 2nd time - 7-5 Joe
2) If Kessler can learn how to throw short punches, he'll have a very difficult package
3) He gave Calzaghe the two worst rds of his career (4th and 12th)
4) Looking at the 1st half in particular, before Joe took over, what struck me is how much of a higher standard it was than Pavlik-Taylor in technical terms.
5) Kessler IS an elite fighter, but he's not quite fluid/loose enough to keep winning rds vs Calzaghe
Props to Kessler. Made quality title defenses and gunned for the #1 in his backyard. Big balls to do that and it's something Hopkins and Floyd refuse. Good luck in the future & there's LOADS of great super middleweight fights out there for you.
Thats because Hopkins and Floyd ARE the NUMBER ONE GUYS in their respective divisions.
All credit to Kessler. Total class. He'd beat anyone else at 168. He should be at the front of the queue to regain a belt once Joe vacates. With Bute, Froch, Taylor, (possibly) Pavlik, Miranda etc,. it will still be an interesting division, even after Joe's gone. I will be supporting Kessler.
Autobarn wrote:I think he'll be the super middle boss when Joe moves up.
Watching the fight again, I noticed a few things:
1) I scored it MUCH closer 2nd time - 7-5 Joe
2) If Kessler can learn how to throw short punches, he'll have a very difficult package
3) He gave Calzaghe the two worst rds of his career (4th and 12th)
4) Looking at the 1st half in particular, before Joe took over, what struck me is how much of a higher standard it was than Pavlik-Taylor in technical terms.
5) Kessler IS an elite fighter, but he's not quite fluid/loose enough to keep winning rds vs Calzaghe
Props to Kessler. Made quality title defenses and gunned for the #1 in his backyard. Big balls to do that and it's something Hopkins and Floyd refuse. Good luck in the future & there's LOADS of great super middleweight fights out there for you.
Thats because Hopkins and Floyd ARE the NUMBER ONE GUYS in their respective divisions.
Have to take issue with that. There's no way that Mayweather has established himself as the number one guy at Welter when he hasn't shown the slightest inclination to take on the genuine dangermen of the division such as Cotto, Williams, Cintron and Margarito.
Kessler is totally a class act. He forced Joe to be honest in the ring. In the fourth, Calzaghe thought he had him figured out, and tried to steamroller him, and got hit and hurt with big shots, including a huge uppercut which I am sure would have decked most other 168 lbers.
I thought it was a fantastic fight. I didn't score it officially, but I only gave Kessler one of the first 6 rounds, I thought Calzaghes work was more consistent. I think I gave Kessler only 4 rounds.
The technical aspect of the fight was fascinating, Calzaghe's jab and lateral movement prevented Kessler from getting set, and Joe's hands were so fast that he couldn't get out of the way of that jolting short jab.
Kessler never stopped trying, but by the 10th he had taken on a very weary and desperate look, partly from taking those big rib crunching body shots in the 7th, 8th and 9th rounds.
I have no doubt that Kessler will rebound from this fight and go on to win the belts after Joe moves up. He is never going to be as fluid or 'natural' as Joe, but he is a solid fighter with a good skillset, and the right mindset to be a champion. He was very creditable in defeat having put in an elite performance, but unfortunately was in against an all-time great, and a fighter who is fast closing in on becoming the best British fighter of all time. One or two dominant performances against top quality operators would do it for me. In terms of talent and skills, I don't know that we've ever had, at least in the last 30 years, anyone as good as Joe.
For Kessler to do as well as he did, shows what a great fighter he is.
Terry D wrote:He could do with working with a US trainer, it is shocking that he has no left hook of note, which I noticed pre-fight but thought he may have worked on.
Great guy and gutsy, not just in-ring but coming over here. Long live ambitious fighters. This may sound twatty but without ambitious guys Joe would be in shit creek legacy wise.
I think he has a good left hook, when he fights at his own pace, on his own terms, which is his normal way. After nailing Joe with that right uppercut in rd 4, Kesler whipped in a really natural looking left hook t the body. However after the halfway point the pace was too hot for him to really get set and Joe seemed to have him off balance a lot.
Defimnitely could do with learning short punches now though.
