Kessler: "He's Faster, I Hit Harder"

[Dynamite Kid]

brit

yeah that was my point the power is still their regardless so for people to be looking at Joe's stoppage win's and suggesting he does'nt punch that hard as an indicater for which way the fight will pan out is misguided

fact is he can stil punch so it's definetly relative point to bring up in such a big fight

[SHB]

calzaghe was seen as a ****er because of his knockout percentage! it wasnt until he schooled eubank his boxing got ackonwledged and his boxing as improved since then thanks to his fathers growing skills as a trainer! calzaghe s one of the best boxers in the world but for kessler really hell need a one punch ko as if u hurt calzaghe he will just throw 50 punches a second at you! watch byron mitchell for an example!

His boxing skills have always been superb, but even he has admitted he's wary of his hands these days. You're right though, if he gets tagged he'll just come out with a barrage of his own.

[TyrantT316]

The problem with Kessler now is that if he gets knocked out he will look totally ******.

I can`t see Kessler winning this, he's too orthodox and will look slow and ponderous. I see him losing by UD or late stoppage.

Yeah, that is what happened to Lacy. Joe's opponent's and some internet fans think he slaps everything. But when in the ring, his opponent's find out otherwise.

[MickyHatton]

I dont want too come across as a Calzaghe nuthugger but Calzaghe is not rated as a puncher and is being accused of being a slapper and that is not true ,10 count em 10 first round kO'S that was a Calzaghe stat coming into the Eubank fight and he they were saying exactly the same thing in the commentry in that fight that people have accused him of slapping etc and he proceeded to come out and Flaw Eubank in the 1 round

Eubank has a cast iron Jaw aswell ,squealpiggy good post

Exactly, Calzaghe changed his style to protect his hands. He throws lightening quick arm punches in bunches and keeps his opponents off balance.

For anyone to say he cant punch well they haven't done their homework, Calzaghe can really dig its just he chooses not to.

[kayjay]

Exactly, Calzaghe changed his style to protect his hands. He throws lightening quick arm punches in bunches and keeps his opponents off balance.

For anyone to say he cant punch well they haven't done their homework, Calzaghe can really dig its just he chooses not to.

I know the young Calzaghe was a huge puncher. The hands are indeed a problem, but don't you think his trimmed his frame so much that that had an effect on it?

[MickyHatton]

I know the young Calzaghe was a huge puncher. The hands are indeed a problem, but don't you think his trimmed his frame so much that that had an effect on it?

No, I don't think so KJ, in the early days he was so far ahead of his opponents in ability he just took them straight out (Usually in 2 rounds), by the time he reached the higher echelons he realised that he would need to box more to win and became a more thoughtful fighter.

Add that against his weak hands and you can see why he very rarely sits down on his shots, he found it more effective to bombard his opponents with many shots and take them out that way than potentially risking all and having to fight one handed (which has happened several times).

His frame I feel has changed as much to age as to anything else, naturaly we all put weight on as we get older, he has had to keep within the SMW limit so his frame has become more wiry.

I watched a documentry on him last year and he was walking around as a Light Heavy and look solid and muscular, he obviously melts that off for his fights.

[Peder]

Just to get one thing straight.
Kessler isn't a power puncher, KO artist or anything else that would justify the comparison to Jeff Lacy, neither does he think he's going to beat Calzaghe on power alone. He's a pure pressure fighter, who wins his fights by cutting of the ring, controlling the range and setting the pace. Many of his fights are won by tko, as he keeps his opponents from landing anything at all, making it a frustrating one-sided beating for his opponent. Instead of taking wild shots at full power, he maintains a very consistent hellish hard punch throughout the fight, with both hands.

The reason I call this fight in favor of Kessler is, I believe he has the skill to stay at range and move out of harms way, reducing Calzaghe to landing single shots. If Calzaghe needs to fight out of his preferred style, Kessler got him beat. The more offensive Calzaghe needs to be, the better for Kessler, that would also be the best chance of a TKO/KO.
I rate Kessler as quite phenomenal, I can't think of another fighter who has lost so few rounds in his career.

That is my prediction.

[SHB]

No, I don't think so KJ, in the early days he was so far ahead of his opponents in ability he just took them straight out (Usually in 2 rounds), by the time he reached the higher echelons he realised that he would need to box more to win and became a more thoughtful fighter.

Add that against his weak hands and you can see why he very rarely sits down on his shots, he found it more effective to bombard his opponents with many shots and take them out that way than potentially risking all and having to fight one handed (which has happened several times).

His frame I feel has changed as much to age as to anything else, naturaly we all put weight on as we get older, he has had to keep within the SMW limit so his frame has become more wiry.

I watched a documentry on him last year and he was walking around as a Light Heavy and look solid and muscular, he obviously melts that off for his fights.

Even worse. He walks around at cruiser. It's quite an achievement to get down to that weight especially for 10 years as champion. The irony of course is that he'd be more effective at the higher weight.

[hugh grant]

Yes JC can punch if neccesary, and i am sure he will load some up just to prove that point to kessler. But JC shouldnt try and do anything different just cos people say he cant punch. All JC needs is to keep winning and whether he can punch or not is not important.
And if he should lose this i dont think JC should retire. What about being a 2 weight champ like he has said. If you lose and then retire like Hamed did, the critics tear you apart.

[SHB]

I have to say though that both fighters have impressed me in the build up to this fight. No trash talking, no unnecessary insults, no petulant tantrums. Just business. Just how it should be. An excellent contrast to the actions of the likes of Mayweather and acting as excellent role models for those coming through the ranks.

Kessler is either very very excited or bricking it. I can't tell. I hope it's the former.