Watching an interview just now on Sky Sports News it is obvious that the two fights we are looking at for Froch is either Kessler 3 or Ward 2.
What would you prefer to see?
I wouldn't like to see either of these fights next. If push came to shove I'd prefer Ward next ahead of Kessler because we've just watched it.
Let's see Froch v Stieglitz.
Here is why I think some people are underestimating Froch and overrating Ward in a rematch.
First off.. I will admit to only having seen Ward Kessler for the 1st time two days ago.. I was curious if Froch was just that much better or if Kessler had slipped a notch or two.
Ward Kessler was an ugly fight.. I am certain with a more competent ref the results would have been very different.
I am not trying at all to take away from Ward.. He is Old School clever in the ring.. A La Bernard Hopkins .. But he got away with far too much in that fight..I counted 5 headbutts, 2 of which caused nasty cuts. I am not saying Ward was intentionally headbutting Kessler.. But there is no denying that Ward's charge forward with his head down, hit and hold, break and hit style caused the headbutts.. And that can at least point to a incompetency charge towards the Ref.. If not corruption.. I think Ward also knew what he was doing a little bit.. As I mentioned.. He is old school clever.
88 counted clinches and 2 cut causing headbutts and not a single foul charged.
It's atrocious.
Wards other two "big" wins are against Froch and Dawson.
Ward boxed a much cleaner fight against Dawson and Dawson looked like crap.
Ward was more messy against Froch ... No major head contact, less, but still a lot of holding.. At times Froch looked like crap.
The question is; Did Ward make them look like crap or were they crap on the night.
I am going to wager it's a bit of both.
Dawson was weight drained and it played a role.. Not saying Dawson would have won.. But it's conceivable that fight might have been closer had Dawson been in better condition.
As for the Froch fight.. Froch came on at the end and had he started stronger he might have won this fight.. 7-5 Ward, seems the most popular score with objective minds.
The majority of Froch's rounds coming in the 2nd half of the fight.
Since the Ward fight .. Froch seems to have finally learned to conquer his biggest flaws since he started fighting at world class level.. You can't coast for the first 3-4 rounds and get into a hole.. and count on "storming back" and scoring a late KO.. He is lucky it worked on Taylor or he would have 3 losses.
Froch does learn..He was way over confident in the first fight.. If he starts out stronger against Ward I doubt it will be cakewalk for Ward.
Ward can't really hurt Froch.. If the ref controls Ward's Huggy Bear routine..
Froch can win this fight.
I feel Ward is overrated and Froch a bit underrated.
It's also very possible Ward could win easy.. I just wouldn't bet the Farm on it.
nice analysis, especially the points about the refs in ward's fights. wny do they let him get away with so much holding? this is also a problem in many other fights, different refs as well.
Here is why I think some people are underestimating Froch and overrating Ward in a rematch.
First off.. I will admit to only having seen Ward Kessler for the 1st time two days ago.. I was curious if Froch was just that much better or if Kessler had slipped a notch or two.
Ward Kessler was an ugly fight.. I am certain with a more competent ref the results would have been very different.
I am not trying at all to take away from Ward.. He is Old School clever in the ring.. A La Bernard Hopkins .. But he got away with far too much in that fight..I counted 5 headbutts, 2 of which caused nasty cuts. I am not saying Ward was intentionally headbutting Kessler.. But there is no denying that Ward's charge forward with his head down, hit and hold, break and hit style caused the headbutts.. And that can at least point to a incompetency charge towards the Ref.. If not corruption.. I think Ward also knew what he was doing a little bit.. As I mentioned.. He is old school clever.
88 counted clinches and 2 cut causing headbutts and not a single foul charged.
It's atrocious.
Wards other two "big" wins are against Froch and Dawson.
Ward boxed a much cleaner fight against Dawson and Dawson looked like crap.
Ward was more messy against Froch ... No major head contact, less, but still a lot of holding.. At times Froch looked like crap.
The question is; Did Ward make them look like crap or were they crap on the night.
I am going to wager it's a bit of both.
Dawson was weight drained and it played a role.. Not saying Dawson would have won.. But it's conceivable that fight might have been closer had Dawson been in better condition.
As for the Froch fight.. Froch came on at the end and had he started stronger he might have won this fight.. 7-5 Ward, seems the most popular score with objective minds.
The majority of Froch's rounds coming in the 2nd half of the fight.
Since the Ward fight .. Froch seems to have finally learned to conquer his biggest flaws since he started fighting at world class level.. You can't coast for the first 3-4 rounds and get into a hole.. and count on "storming back" and scoring a late KO.. He is lucky it worked on Taylor or he would have 3 losses.
Froch does learn..He was way over confident in the first fight.. If he starts out stronger against Ward I doubt it will be cakewalk for Ward.
Ward can't really hurt Froch.. If the ref controls Ward's Huggy Bear routine..
Froch can win this fight.
I feel Ward is overrated and Froch a bit underrated.
It's also very possible Ward could win easy.. I just wouldn't bet the Farm on it.
Ward in Britain. Froch is the most qualified contender in boxing today. He will not win though. At least not on my card, but since the last fight in the US produced 2 scorecards of 7-5 (which is not the proper story of the fight), they could easily translate into 5-7 in UK. Judges see something in Froch.
As for Kessler, well that fight would be more entertaining, but as a fan I think I want him to retire now.
Stieglitz will not be fighting Abraham in his next four fights, because he's signed a contract to have his next four fights shown a different TV network (Stieglitz's will be on Germany Sat1, Abraham's fights are on ARD). So Stieglitz is available right now.
Stieglitz is a possibility, if he's prepared to travel to the UK.
I'd put money on Kessler, though.
Watching an interview just now on Sky Sports News it is obvious that the two fights we are looking at for Froch is either Kessler 3 or Ward 2.
What would you prefer to see?
next fight might not be either kessler or ward?
What about a fight with Stieglitz for the WBO strap, unless he fights Abraham again that is.
From what Hearn said I don't think they're even considering this fight because it won't be as big.
Apparently thats the main place they're looking at, neutral ground.
Really?
I wouldn't really call that neutral. I would fully expect the vast majority of Dutch fans to be backing Kessler.
Might happen down the line but by the sounds of the interview and what Hearn has been saying its a defense of the titles first.
I'd like Kessler 3 if i could make it to Holland, but i'd love Ward 2 because the winner would get a hell of a lot of respect from the boxing world
Why Holland?
He hasn't a prayer against Ward so I just wouldnt want to see it
Would like to see him fight Hopkins in Wembley Arena
Might happen down the line but by the sounds of the interview and what Hearn has been saying its a defense of the titles first.
I'd like Kessler 3 if i could make it to Holland, but i'd love Ward 2 because the winner would get a hell of a lot of respect from the boxing world
Ward. Although a 3rd Kessler fight would be good a Ward fight is what everyone seems to be talking about so he should strike while the irons hot. I'm not sure Kessler will want a 3rd fight anyway.