In by far the biggest fight of the weekend Brit Carl Froch (30-2, 22) looks for revenge over Dane Mikkel Kessler (46-2, 35) in an IBF/WBA Super Middleweight title unification bout. The bout, live on Sky Box Office in the UK and other various channels around the world is unarguably to define the #2 Super Middleweight on the planet and also a rare chance to see 2 top fighters pitted against each other.
When the men first fought, just over 3 years ago, it was part of the "Super 6" and Kessler claimed a very competitive decision decision in his homeland in what was a fight of the year contender. Since then a rematch always looked likely to occur despite the men becoming close friends and now we are just a few hours from that long awaited rematch, this time taking place in Britain, the homeland of Froch.
Since the men first fought their careers have seemingly gone in opposite directions. For Kessler things have been a struggle due to injuries and long lay offs. He's recaptured a world title (the WBA belt) though it's a title that most view as a paper belt manufactured for little more than a sanctioning fee and he hasn't looked as sharp, or as destructive as he had been before the Froch fight. For Froch he has moved from strength to strength and whilst he suffered a set back to Andre Ward he did go on to beat Arthur Abraham and Lucien Bute. both in impressive fashion.
At his best Kessler is a very solid all-rounder. He has very impressive straight shots, a lovely body attack and is durable, though he can be made to look slow and doesn't look the same fighter when forced on to the back foot. If you allow Kessler to fight behind his jab he's very hard to beat and if you let him connect with his booming straight right he can take fighters out with just a single shot.
When people talk about Kessler they never speak about any outstanding single attribute, just that he's very good at almost everything. He does have his flaws, notably his lack of handspeed and relatively weak inside game though on the whole he is a very solid fighter.
At his best (and at his most confident) Froch is a destructive fighter who will bring the fight to anyone, take one to land one and have the belief in his power and chin to stop anyone. He has an excellent work rate, under-rated "pure boxing" and although he can be dragged in to someone elses fight (as he was with Kessler first time around) he tends to dictate the action.
Froch does have numerous flaws, notably his low hands and again relatively slow hands speed though other than Andre Ward no one has really made him pay for those too much (though Jermain Taylor almost managed to do it).
Kessler has had a tremendous career and really helped put Denmark on the boxing map in recent years. He is a 3-time WBA champion and a 1-time WBC champion who has recorded wins over Dingaan Thobela, Julio Cesar Green, Manny Siaca, Anthony Mundine, Eric Lucas, Markus Beyer, Librado Andrade and Brian Magee whilst suffering losses to Andre Ward and Joe Calzaghe, two of the divisions greatest.
Froch on the other hand has beaten the likes of Magee, Jean Pascal, Taylor, Andre Dirrell, Abraham, Glen Johnson and Bute whilst losing only to Kessler and Ward.
With both men now in their mid 30's this could well be the final big fight for one of them. Although Froch is technically the older man (at 35 years old to Kessler's 34 years) he is the younger man in terms of ring years with 16 fewer fights and 39 fewer rounds, this could well give him the slight edge in terms of what he has left.
For me, Froch has looked a much better fighter in his past 2 bouts whilst Kessler is showing signs of his long career, with that in mind I'm picking Froch, in fact I'm going one further and predicting that Froch will stop Kessler.
Prediction-Froch TKO 7
Showing posts with label Mikkel Kessler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mikkel Kessler. Show all posts
Friday, 24 May 2013
Friday, 7 December 2012
Brian Magee v Mikkel Kessler
Northern Irishman Brian Magee (36-4-1, 25) goes in to the Lion's Den this weekend as he attempts to defend his WBA Super Middleweight title in Denmark against great Dane Mikkel Kessler (45-2, 34). For Magee this is his big chance to really make a mark on the world stage, for Kessler however it's a chance to reclaim a world title at the weight where he really made his name. For us as fans it's a chance to see what Kessler has left in the tank after a long and hard career.
Although currently a world champion, Magee is one of a number of fighters out there who has one limitation that has kept them from the genuine world stage. Sadly he struggles to take a shot at the world level having been dropped 4 times in his first loss (UD loss to Robin Reid) and stopped by both Carl Froch and Lucien Bute. Despite this he has genuine talent as a boxer and gave both Froch and Reid a very, very tough fight.
At 37 years old I feel that this will be Magee's last major fight however it's not the first time I've thought that with his career looking over just 3 years ago after he claimed the British title then spent a year out of the ring. In the last 3 years however Magee has continued to plug away and scored a number of notable victories including a stoppage over Mads Larsen for the European title and a decision victory over Jaime Barboza for the interim WBA Super Middleweight title (which has now been upgraded).
Whilst it's fair to say that Magee's biggest fights have all been losing affairs, it's worth noting that he is 2-0 (2) in Denmark and he has the experience and ability to test anyone at the weight, especially if his opponent is losing a step as many feel Mikkel Kessler is doing. Sadly however for Magee, Kessler is something a bit tougher and hard hitting than Marsen and Rudy Markussen.
At 33 years old it's fair to say that Kessler is probably on the slide, though the likable "Viking Warrior" is someone who has all the tools to mix with the best in the division. He has genuine power, especially in his sledgehammer straight right hand which he can throw to the head and the body, he has a very solid all round game and whilst he doesn't do anything especially amazingly he doesn't have any major flaws. In fact it's fair to say that Kessler is just very good at everything and it takes a fighter with at least 1 superb trait to beat him, Andre Ward and Joe Calzaghe showed with their victories over him.
Although Kessler is a very tough fighter he was dropped last time out by American Allan Green, I believe it was the first time Kessler has been dropped, however that bout was for a Light Heavyweight bauble and Kessler did get himself back up to knock out Green. In fact interestingly Green did seem to hurt Kessler numerous times in the opening round, probably showing that Kessler has had plenty of miles on the clock, however Magee hasn't the power in my eyes to rock him.
Whilst Magee will likely put on a brave showing, I can't help but think Kessler's power and Magee's fragility against bangers will bring us to early end. The first straight right that Kessler lands will likely be the start of the end.
Prediction-Kessler TKO5
Although currently a world champion, Magee is one of a number of fighters out there who has one limitation that has kept them from the genuine world stage. Sadly he struggles to take a shot at the world level having been dropped 4 times in his first loss (UD loss to Robin Reid) and stopped by both Carl Froch and Lucien Bute. Despite this he has genuine talent as a boxer and gave both Froch and Reid a very, very tough fight.
At 37 years old I feel that this will be Magee's last major fight however it's not the first time I've thought that with his career looking over just 3 years ago after he claimed the British title then spent a year out of the ring. In the last 3 years however Magee has continued to plug away and scored a number of notable victories including a stoppage over Mads Larsen for the European title and a decision victory over Jaime Barboza for the interim WBA Super Middleweight title (which has now been upgraded).
Whilst it's fair to say that Magee's biggest fights have all been losing affairs, it's worth noting that he is 2-0 (2) in Denmark and he has the experience and ability to test anyone at the weight, especially if his opponent is losing a step as many feel Mikkel Kessler is doing. Sadly however for Magee, Kessler is something a bit tougher and hard hitting than Marsen and Rudy Markussen.
At 33 years old it's fair to say that Kessler is probably on the slide, though the likable "Viking Warrior" is someone who has all the tools to mix with the best in the division. He has genuine power, especially in his sledgehammer straight right hand which he can throw to the head and the body, he has a very solid all round game and whilst he doesn't do anything especially amazingly he doesn't have any major flaws. In fact it's fair to say that Kessler is just very good at everything and it takes a fighter with at least 1 superb trait to beat him, Andre Ward and Joe Calzaghe showed with their victories over him.
Although Kessler is a very tough fighter he was dropped last time out by American Allan Green, I believe it was the first time Kessler has been dropped, however that bout was for a Light Heavyweight bauble and Kessler did get himself back up to knock out Green. In fact interestingly Green did seem to hurt Kessler numerous times in the opening round, probably showing that Kessler has had plenty of miles on the clock, however Magee hasn't the power in my eyes to rock him.
Whilst Magee will likely put on a brave showing, I can't help but think Kessler's power and Magee's fragility against bangers will bring us to early end. The first straight right that Kessler lands will likely be the start of the end.
Prediction-Kessler TKO5
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