BoxingScene Staff Predictions: Calzaghe-Kessler

[MightyMikeA]

Whose reffing this fight? I heard the ref was American? Even so, the Manfredo stoppage left a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to Calzaghe's home court advantage. Kessler better not get seriously stunned or hurt in this fight (or if he does, he better try and play it off) because I have a feeling it's gonna get waved off as soon as Calzaghe lands his first flurry of *****-slaps.

Kessler has fast feet, he will keep Calzaghe at range all night and pummel him. You people will be surprised at how easy he's going to make it look.

[Randall_Hopkirk]

I wouldn't judge Kessler's power based on his inability to take out iron-chinned and previously unbeaten Andrade.

Equally I wouldn't say he's a deadly finisher just because he stopped Eric Lucas and Markus Beyer. Were talking an elite fighter in Calzaghe, so talks of a mid round KO are coming out of left-field IMO. Calz won't even come close to getting stopped.

BTW the "iron-chinned" Andrade was put down by Yusuf Mack in his last fight.

[itliangladiator]

Any truth to the Kessler hand problem anyone? If so that will play a huge factor.
Also what time does the fight come on eastern time U.S? Ive heard 6 and 9...

[Scott9945]

Kessler will surprise people with how easily he handles Calzaghe. Joe has been protected for years, and tonight it will show. Kessler has beaten better opposition in five years than JC has in ten. Joe goes into survival mode and loses a decision so lopsided not even the local judges can steal it from him.

[Wiley Hyena]

Kessler will surprise people with how easily he handles Calzaghe. Joe has been protected for years, and tonight it will show. Kessler has beaten better opposition in five years than JC has in ten. Joe goes into survival mode and loses a decision so lopsided not even the local judges can steal it from him.

Courtesy of "HBO Boxing", an enlightening article that also makes reference to the motivations of certain high profile boxers regarding a potential fight with Joe Calzaghe:

JOE CALZAGHE

updated October 23, 2007

Elite fighter Joe Calzaghe will defend his WBO World Super Middleweight title for a record-tying 21st consecutive time on November 3 against his WBA/WBC counterpart Mikkel Kessler.

The super-fight will take place at the magnificent Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, in front of an estimated 60,000 gate. The world record indoor attendance for a fight - 63,500 - is under threat in the biggest show to be held in the UK for decades.

"This is the only fight I want because a victory over Kessler will mean the most to my career at this point," said Calzaghe. "It will mean more than the beating I gave Jeff Lacy when we unified our titles, and even more than my win over Chris Eubank, which began my world title reign 10 years ago. I'm No. 1 in the division today and I'll be No. 1 in the division after we fight. November 3 can't come quick enough."

Calzaghe was last in action in April at the Millennium Stadium against top-five contender and American star Peter Manfredo Jr. in front of over 35,000 fans, shattering the European indoor record for a boxing event.

Then, Calzaghe was simply too good for The Contender runner up, forcing referee Terry O'Connor to intervene with Manfredo trapped on the ropes and not firing back. Both ITV1 in the UK and HBO in America covered the victory live.

And it meant Calzaghe had equaled the consecutive defences record of both Bernard Hopkins and Larry Holmes, who each topped 20, leaving him one behind Sven Ottke, who holds the super middleweight record and is No. 4 on boxing’s all-time list for successful defences.

The Welshman was without the IBF title he won against Jeff Lacy, after deciding to vacate the belt rather than fight low-key mandatory challenger Robert Stieglitz - but his prestigious Ring magazine title was also on the line, and he's still considered the best 168-pounder in the world.

Calzaghe, 35, went into the fight having retained his WBO and IBF super-middleweight crowns against Sakio Bika in October 2006 in Manchester, England.

In a fight screened on a delayed basis in the U.S. on HBO and live in the UK on free-to-air broadcaster ITV1, Calzaghe had to contend with low blows, headbutts and numerous other infringements against the teak-tough Australian.

Cut for the first time in his career in the fourth round by a stray head, Calzaghe refused to take a backward step as he ground out a 117-110, 117-110 and 116-111 decision.

In extending his record to 42-0 and making his 19th world title defence, Calzaghe showed incredible heart and courage to complement the sublime skills he displayed against Lacy.

Six months earlier, in one of the most impressive displays ever by a British fighter, Calzaghe scalped the previously undefeated IBF/IBO champion Lacy also in front of a packed out Manchester Evening News Arena.

The cavernous MEN Arena was the scene of his masterclass against the highly-touted and big-punching Lacy, who had been hailed as the saviour of boxing Stateside.

Almost everyone thought he would beat Calzaghe, who started the fight as a heavy underdog, and some feared for the Welshman's future career.

But Joe peppered him with more than 1,000 shots, and hardly shipped a blow himself, as he romped home in one of the most one-sided world title fights ever seen.

He almost stopped Lacy in the last, having spent the previous 11 rounds toying with him, almost without mercy, and won 119-105, 119-107 and 119-107.

Had it not been for a harshly deducted point, it would have been a complete shut out.

It confirmed Calzaghe's status as the best man at 168 pounds, and delivered him a second world title belt nine years after winning his first.

He was then linked to a fight with Glen Johnson in July at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, but was forced out with the type of hand injury that has dogged him throughout his career.

Johnson instead went on to unsuccessfully challenge Woods for the IBF light heavyweight title, leaving Calzaghe to take on former WBC title challenger Bika. He duly delivered another top quality display.

After a sensational amateur career that included three consecutive ABA titles, each at different weights, Calzaghe looked a sure bet to rule the world when he first turned professional in 1993 - and four years later he fulfilled his dream.

On October 11, 1997, Joe faced his moment of truth on 'The Full Monty' card in Sheffield. That night he faced British boxing legend Chris Eubank for the vacant WBO super-middleweight championship.

Taking part in his 22nd WBO world title fight, Eubank obviously had the experience over his untested southpaw rival.

What Chris did not have, however, was the youth, speed and fitness of his opponent, and it showed.

Eubank was unceremoniously dumped on the canvas in the first round, and after 12 ferocious rounds, Calzaghe was declared the new champion. Calzaghe's concussive fists had ushered in a glorious new era in Welsh boxing.

Since that night, in Sheffield, Calzaghe has made a staggering 20 defences and has extended his winning run to 43 fights with 32 early finishes. His world title reign will celebrate its 10th year on October 11.

He is now the current longest-reigning world champion in boxing, and he has also picked up an MBE for his services to the sport. His ultimate target is Joe Louis' record 25 consecutive world title defences, and he wouldn't mind equaling Rocky Marciano's 49-0 slate.

"Surpassing Holmes and Hopkins and tying Ottke means a lot to me and it's a great incentive to train hard for this fight," said Calzaghe. "But let's forget about Louis. I don't know if I want to take his record, he's a legend."

Among the highlights of his near 10 years as a world champion are hard-fought wins over big British rivals Robin Reid and Richie Woodhall, wars with Omar Sheika, Byron Mitchell and Charles Brewer and masterclasses against Mario Veit and Mger Mkrtchian.

In the Mitchell fight, Calzaghe found himself on the floor for the first time as an amateur or professional, but rose from the canvas to sensationally stop his American opponent in the same round.

Kabary Salem also had Calzaghe down, but apart from those two blips, his chin has proved resolute.

Sheika couldn't budge him as the two went toe-to-toe at Wembley, while Brewer hit him with everything bar the kitchen sink but still couldn't make a dent.

Even when the odds have been stacked against him Joe has found a way to win - in May 2005 he was forced to travel to Germany after Veit's backers bid more than £1million for a WBO world title defence.

Once there though Calzaghe concluded the business in just six rounds.

With his lightening fast hand-speed and power punching, plus his awkward southpaw stance, it is easy to understand why the so called elite American fighters are reluctant to face Calzaghe.

Americans like Roy Jones Jr, Antonio Tarver, Jermain Taylor and Hopkins have made unrealistic financial demands when offered fights, while Clinton Woods has also turned down more-than generous offers.

A father of three, Calzaghe is proud of his Italian roots and regularly holidays in the country where his father/trainer Enzo was born.

Calzaghe has trained with his dad since the day he went professional, and the gym also boasts interim WBO World Cruiserweight king Enzo Maccarinelli, Commonwealth light-middleweight champion Bradley Pryce plus prospects Gavin Rees, Nathan Cleverley and Kerry Hope.

[Floydmayweather]

Joe is going to be throwing lots of punches from odd angles moving in and out. By the mid rounds Kesser will turn it up sensing Joe is coasting and land some hard shots but to his dismay JOe handles them and fires back with hard shots himself (Joe can sit down on a punch when he has to) and seriously hurting Kessler. Between rounds 9-11 the volume of punches will take its toll on Kessler and in front of his biggest stage Joe will stop Kessler with a huge flurry of punches, setting the stage for a superfight with BHop or Pavlik. I use to doubt Joe but he is going to show the world that he is for real tonight, the doubters will be gone after tonight. Peace out

[Scott9945]

Well I guess that is ONE side of the story Wiley. Tonight Kessler will conclusively show that there are two. Kessler is going to go through Hell and walk away with all of the titles.

[EliteSoldier]

Kessler will surprise people with how easily he handles Calzaghe. Joe has been protected for years, and tonight it will show. Kessler has beaten better opposition in five years than JC has in ten. Joe goes into survival mode and loses a decision so lopsided not even the local judges can steal it from him.

Come here with your alt account

[Scott9945]

Come here with your alt account

I don't have any "alt account" or any hidden agenda. I'm new here, but not to boxing. My opinion is that Kessler is the superior fighter and will prove it convincingly. If I'm wrong I'll be back tomorrow to admit it.

[Wiley Hyena]

I don't have any "alt account" or any hidden agenda. I'm new here, but not to boxing. My opinion is that Kessler is the superior fighter and will prove it convincingly. If I'm wrong I'll be back tomorrow to admit it.

Kessler is an awesome boxer....no doubt. I'm picking Calzaghe because I like him as a person and because of the home field advantage. But, I would not be surprised at all if Kessler won. They're both top ten p4p IMO.