Comments Thread For: Hearn: After Mikkel Kessler, We'll Look To Andre Ward

This has a close but definite hometown decision written all over it.

Froch can beat Kessler. If he does that, beats Bute again in a rematch, and then manages to beat Ward he can go down in history as one of the best British fighters of all time.

To be fair to Froch, if he beats Kessler, and after he KO'd Bute he probably deserves another shot at the divisional crown, even if their first fight didn't warrant a rematch.

Watch the last minute of that 1st round. Just before he went down he does an Amir Kham shimmy dance. His legs were like f*ckin' planks for a few seconds. Froch gets him shook up like Not So Mean Green motherf*ckers getting sparked out He was hurt alright. For all his limitations, Green has one thing going for him and that's punching power. Still Kessler recovered quickly and had Green hurt bad before the round was over. Froch doesn't carry the pop that Green does. He didn't have Kessler even marginally hurt in their fight but Froch was the one doing the Khan-dance if you remember.

I know what hes like, hes not afraid to lose or anything, but it would be a better career path for racking up a defences before retiring. If he heads for Ward, he loses his title (which will probably happen) and that means he starts from step one again. Its just doesnt look good to posterity. Personally I share his view - test yourself against the best. I'd prefer that upward curve to my career path too, it feels more natural to a young mind and more fulfilling personally. At certain points belts don't mean anything. If Froch was to be stripped for not fighting Stevenson for example, would it make the fight with Kessler less interesting? Or a fight with Ward? Not in my opinion. At the end of the day, there's too many belts around and we all know who the super middleweight champion is. It would be best for his career if he fought Kessler, Bute and finished off with a home fight against Ward. But doubt it will happen.

Kessler, if anyone, deserves a rematch with Ward. It won't happen, though. Ward, as we know, doesn't travel.

He was prime vs Calzaghe, or maybe even up until the Ward fight, and that fight hurt him, maybe also psychologically. Since the first Froch fight he has not been as active as Froch, and his opposition has been considerably weaker --- Froch is favourite this time around. I think Froch was in his prime when he fought Kessler the first time. I agree that Kessler is not at his best anymore, but because Froch has beaten Bute and Mack since the Ward fight I don't think that elevates him to his prime. Lets face it: Bute was hype. Mack was nothing really. Kessler would have dealt with them two the same way. I like both these guys, but they both only have max 5 fights left in them. They are at the same stage of their careers. Money time. I'm not sure who will win, but if I had to put my house on it I would say Kessler.

You must not be aware of Froch's character and career ambition if you think he would settle for that. He will go after the best there is and if he loses, he will go after the next-best. I know what hes like, hes not afraid to lose or anything, but it would be a better career path for racking up a defences before retiring. If he heads for Ward, he loses his title (which will probably happen) and that means he starts from step one again. Its just doesnt look good to posterity. Personally I share his view - test yourself against the best. I'd prefer that upward curve to my career path too, it feels more natural to a young mind and more fulfilling personally.

Watch the last minute of that 1st round. Just before he went down he does an Amir Kham shimmy dance. His legs were like f*ckin' planks for a few seconds. Froch gets him shook up like Not So Mean Green motherf*ckers getting sparked out

Its great that Froch wants to fight the best he can, but inevitably its going to mean he will lose, or narrowly lose at least one more fight in the future. He doesnt need Ward. If he just concentrates on minor/middling defences then he should have time to string together an unbeaten half a dozen or more defences before obligatory retiring in middle age. You must not be aware of Froch's character and career ambition if you think he would settle for that. He will go after the best there is and if he loses, he will go after the next-best.

I love Ward, I think he is arguably the #1 P4P right now, but he is talking too much **** about the other SMW belt holders at the moment. Neither guy is afraid to fight him again, but more fans want to see Kessler/Froch right now. Ward really should have fought Bute when the fans were calling for that fight.

What makes you say that? He was prime vs Calzaghe, or maybe even up until the Ward fight, and that fight hurt him, maybe also psychologically. Since the first Froch fight he has not been as active as Froch, and his opposition has been considerably weaker --- Froch is favourite this time around.

Froch will win this time ... Kessler is not prime anymore, Froch is. What makes you say that?

Froch will win this time ... Kessler is not prime anymore, Froch is.

What would be the point in defending his title against mid opponents? He has about 3-4 fights left in him so he needs to make the most of it. Rather be remembered as someone who fought the best every time and came up short a couple than someone who weaseled his way through his last fights. This is the truth right here... Gotta admire Froch for wanting the toughest fights and not just going after easy W's and money. I think he can beat Kessler in a close, maybe slight hometown decision which would be similar to the first fight and could even set up a rubber match if its as good as the first fight. Wouldn't expect him to beat Ward tho, think Ward would possibly even stop Froch second-time round... Whatever happens tho gotta respect Froch for only wanting to go in with the best.

Its great that Froch wants to fight the best he can, but inevitably its going to mean he will lose, or narrowly lose at least one more fight in the future. He doesnt need Ward. If he just concentrates on minor/middling defences then he should have time to string together an unbeaten half a dozen or more defences before obligatory retiring in middle age. What would be the point in defending his title against mid opponents? He has about 3-4 fights left in him so he needs to make the most of it. Rather be remembered as someone who fought the best every time and came up short a couple than someone who weaseled his way through his last fights.

I think Froch can stop Kessler. Kessler was hurt bad in the Greene fight, and I can't remember seeing him hurt like that before. Would be nice for Froch to win and then have one more crack at Ward. I think Ward will take him apart but at least he would of gave it a shot. Retirement then for the Cobra Hurt bad?? Hahahaha it was a half slip and he was fine as soon as he got up and dominated him for the rest of the fight and knocked his ass out cold.

I think Froch can stop Kessler. Kessler was hurt bad in the Greene fight, and I can't remember seeing him hurt like that before. Would be nice for Froch to win and then have one more crack at Ward. I think Ward will take him apart but at least he would of gave it a shot. Retirement then for the Cobra

Its great that Froch wants to fight the best he can, but inevitably its going to mean he will lose, or narrowly lose at least one more fight in the future. He doesnt need Ward. If he just concentrates on minor/middling defences then he should have time to string together an unbeaten half a dozen or more defences before obligatory retiring in middle age.