QUESTION: Why is/was KESSLER considered so great? Why regarded so highly?

[Gino Ros]

No disrespect to Mikkel. A good guy, a handsome man, a good fighter. A gentleman.

But people are now giving other guys big props for fighting close with Kessler - specifically, Carl Froch.

Don't tell me that somebody has a great resume because they fought Kessler close. Who has Kessler ever beaten? What prime HOF'er did Kess knock off?

Isn't Kessler's legacy that he had TWO shots at the elite of the division, and he was outclassed in both instances?

Again, no disrespect to Mikkel. Solid. Good, even. Not great.

[nomadman]

Well, he beat a prime Froch, which is a victory that is looking better and better with every passing day. I agree, though, that Kessler is a bit overrated in hindsight. He's one of those fighters like Kostya who doesn't have any massive names on his resume, but comprehensively beat the majority of those (often quite good) boxers that he did face. His total domination of Andrade for instance was a masterful performance and one that Bute didn't manage first time round.

[Gino Ros]

Originally Posted by It's Ovah

Well, he beat a prime Froch, which is a victory that is looking better and better with every passing day. I agree, though, that Kessler is a bit overrated in hindsight. He's one of those fighters like Kostya who doesn't have any massive names on his resume, but comprehensively beat the majority of those (often quite good) boxers that he did face. His total domination of Andrade for instance was a masterful performance and one that Bute didn't manage first time round.

Why? because Froch just schooled a one-dimensional Abraham?

Much props to Carl... but he just executed what Dirrell was doing for ten rounds.

[Tiozzo]

Mikkel Kessler has faded. He used to be a better fighter. Now, he is pretty sloppy.

As for why he is regarded highly... I don't know really. He first became champion by beating a weak guy, Manny Siacca. Then, he unified with a has been who had just stolen the belt from Eric Lucas. Kessler ackowledged the robbery, and he faced Lucas before Beyer, a bit of a has been too, whom he dominated.

Kessler was very carefully matched, that's the truth. It took him a while before getting his first title shot. The best fighters he faced were mandatories (Mundine, Andrade). Props to him for fighting Calzaghe, but he got beat.

In retrospect, Kessler has a very ordinary resume. But he is a solid fighter.

[Mersey]

Because he has a cool tattoo

[Sweet Jesus]

The standards are lower for European fighters.

[RimmyDelicious]

Andre Ward is now highly rated on many P4P top ten lists based entirely on his victory in a foul filled fight against Kessler. Kessler himself was never a regular on any P4P top 10 lists.

[Sweet Jesus]

Originally Posted by RimmyDelicious

Andre Ward is now highly rated on many P4P top ten lists based entirely on his victory in a foul filled fight against Kessler. Kessler himself was never a regular on any P4P top 10 lists.

Americans deserve the benefit of the doubt because they have proven themselves over and over and over again.

What has Europe proven? I'm sorry, but you lose all credibility when you hype Arthur Abraham as one of your best fighters.

[vercingetorix3]

Kessler was a solid champion at 168 by fighting the top 10 for his time, but not really a contender in the pound-for-pound lists.

His best win is probably against Anthony Mundine in Mundine's backyard.

[Gino Ros]

Originally Posted by RimmyDelicious

Andre Ward is now highly rated on many P4P top ten lists based entirely on his victory in a foul filled fight against Kessler. Kessler himself was never a regular on any P4P top 10 lists.

andre ward : beat miranda, kessler, green and bika.


maybe losing 3 or 4 rounds in the process.