A match-up made in heaven? Kessler vs. Pavlik. Who wins?

[slicksouthpaw16]

Hahahahaha funny ****.

But seriously, Kessler is Pavlik with more power, better chin and actual skills.

Kessler by KO.

Looking at it like that could be misleading. Kessler is a straight up style European fighter who only goes back and fourth. How would he escape the accuracy of Pavlik and being pushed into corners with the effective volume punching? Pavlik is very consistant, durable and a very hard puncher. Calzaghe was able to walk Kessler down and back him up, even hurting him with a body punch and if the referee didn't seperate them at the exact same moment, then you could make a case for Kessler going down. He was pretty hurt. Would have been devestating if Kessler was hurt against Pavlik, who brings more pressure than Calzaghe, is a way harder puncher than Calzaghe and has straighter shots than Calzaghe as well. He is also a better finsher than Calzaghe and has those pin point accurate shots that wears you down over the course of a fight. I can't see Kessler doing well in this match up. He would look better against a fighter that doesn't bring as much pressure and actually takes a step back, like Librado Andrade. Pavlik would be too much for Kessler.

Pavlik by unanimous decision, possibly late stoppage.

[Mr. Philadel]

Pavlik by KO! Kessler isnt that effective off the back foot, I thought Joe showed us that! And Pavlik makes EVERYBODY fight off the back foot!

[S.G.]

would much rather see this fight than Calzaghe - Pavlik tbh

i think Kessler would win a close UD, but not ruling out the possibility of him getting KO'd by Pavlik

[Stickman]

Most regard Kessler to equal his power or more, and to be a better boxer. So why are ppl voting Pavlik, lol at the hype votes.

National bias. Pavlik is from the US, Kessler is not.

For me this fight is a true "pick-em" matchup. Kessler is definitely the better fighter, Pavlik is a strong kid with loads of heart and better than average instinct and skills, both have plenty of power.

Kessler is the winner on paper, in my opinion, but in reality I don't think anybody has a chance of picking accurately other than sheer luck.

[Tony628]

I picked kessler by ko, hes just all round the better fighter and I think he probably has more power than pavlik too.

[Stickman]

Looking at it like that could be misleading. Kessler is a straight up style European fighter who only goes back and fourth. How would he escape the accuracy of Pavlik and being pushed into corners with the effective volume punching? Pavlik is very consistant, durable and a very hard puncher. Calzaghe was able to walk Kessler down and back him up, even hurting him with a body punch and if the referee didn't seperate them at the exact same moment, then you could make a case for Kessler going down. He was pretty hurt. Would have been devestating if Kessler was hurt against Pavlik, who brings more pressure than Calzaghe, is a way harder puncher than Calzaghe and has straighter shots than Calzaghe as well. He is also a better finsher than Calzaghe and has those pin point accurate shots that wears you down over the course of a fight. I can't see Kessler doing well in this match up. He would look better against a fighter that doesn't bring as much pressure and actually takes a step back, like Librado Andrade. Pavlik would be too much for Kessler.

Pavlik by unanimous decision, possibly late stoppage.

Calzaghe is a heavier puncher than you think, don't start thinking Kessler is a ***** because Calzaghe hurt the guy.

As far as skills-matchup go, Kessler is better, quicker, and should win. He has a great work rate (very similar to Pavlik) great power, solid chin and good instincts.

And remember this: Pavlik is fighting middleweights right now. The guy is a ****ing huge middleweight, he's 6'2 1/2 with a 75" reach and probably belongs at light heavy, maybe even cruiser. Have you seen this guy's frame? He's built like I am, only without all the extra muscle and fat...I weigh 215. The reason he's beating the **** out of everyone in middleweight is because he's too big for them. I'm all for the kid fighting at the lowest division he can make weight for, but when he starts fighting at SM or LH, he's not going to be beating the crap out of those bigger guys as easily. Kessler is far closer to his size than anyone else he's been in the ring with recently.

Anyway, like I said earlier...it's a "pick-em" fight.Toss a coin, make your pick.

[slicksouthpaw16]

Calzaghe is a heavier puncher than you think, don't start thinking Kessler is a ***** because Calzaghe hurt the guy.

As far as skills-matchup go, Kessler is better, quicker, and should win. He has a great work rate (very similar to Pavlik) great power, solid chin and good instincts.

And remember this: Pavlik is fighting middleweights right now. The guy is a ****ing huge middleweight, he's 6'2 1/2 with a 75" reach and probably belongs at light heavy, maybe even cruiser. Have you seen this guy's frame?

Pavlik and Calzaghe's power is not even comparable. The pre injury version of Calzaghe does not punch as hard as Pavlik does. Not only does Pavlik punch hard, but he systematically break's you down with pin point accurate shots thats wears you down slowly. You mention that Pavlik would not have the same advantage at super middleweight, when Taylor and Miranda both lost to Pavlik convincingly and they both have the frame of light heavyweights and currently fights at super middleweight as of now.

Like i have said, its easy to say that Kessler, younger, quicker and i definitely disagree with you stating that he is better. Pavlik is seperior to Kessler in a lot area's. Taylor was known as being better than Pavlik. He was faster, quicker ect. There are ways of nuetralizing speed and athelticism. Pavlik kept Taylor at the end of his punches and brought educated pressure and accurate volume punching. Kessler would not have as much success as Taylor because he is not as elusive, fast on his feet and doesn't put his punches in combinations the way Jermain does as well. Kessler goes straight back and fourth and you want to give a guy like Pavlik lateral movement so you won't be in range or back into the ropes. Kessler does not posess this type of footspeed. Calzaghe was able to back Kessler up and that is not a good sign considering Calzaghe is not a hard puncher now and certainly not as big and strong as Pavlik. Pavlik does not back up nor does he give his opponents room to breathe. Thats where Kessler will run into problems. He will be backed into a corner and worn down, similar to the way that Miranda and Taylor was.

Two fighters that have the tools (handspeed, footspeed ect) to beat Pavlik would be Chad Dawson and Joe Calzaghe. Both are good counter punchers with great foot movement that are elusive on their toes. Kessler is flat footed and not very elusive.

[DiegoFuego]

I don't think Kessler can box as well as Taylor, so Pavlik wins and I will say by KO since Kessler likes to mix it up

[Yokoyo]

Pavlik and Calzaghe's power is not even comparable. The pre injury version of Calzaghe does not punch as hard as Pavlik does. Not only does Pavlik punch hard, but he systematically break's you down with pin point accurate shots thats wears you down slowly. You mention that Pavlik would not have the same advantage at super middleweight, when Taylor and Miranda both lost to Pavlik convincingly and they both have the frame of light heavyweights and currently fights at super middleweight as of now.

Like i have said, its easy to say that Kessler, younger, quicker and i definitely disagree with you stating that he is better. Pavlik is seperior to Kessler in a lot area's. Taylor was known as being better than Pavlik. He was faster, quicker ect. There are ways of nuetralizing speed and athelticism. Pavlik kept Taylor at the end of his punches and brought educated pressure and accurate volume punching. Kessler would not have as much success as Taylor because he is not as elusive, fast on his feet and doesn't put his punches in combinations the way Jermain does as well. Kessler goes straight back and fourth and you want to give a guy like Pavlik lateral movement so you won't be in range or back into the ropes. Kessler does not posess this type of footspeed. Calzaghe was able to back Kessler up and that is not a good sign considering Calzaghe is not a hard puncher now and certainly not as big and strong as Pavlik. Pavlik does not back up nor does he give his opponents room to breathe. Thats where Kessler will run into problems. He will be backed into a corner and worn down, similar to the way that Miranda and Taylor was.

Two fighters that have the tools (handspeed, footspeed ect) to beat Pavlik would be Chad Dawson and Joe Calzaghe. Both are good counter punchers with great foot movement that are elusive on their toes. Kessler is flat footed and not very elusive.

Kessler would destroy Pavlik, it would look like Kessler vs Andrade all over again except the fact Pavlik would get KOed.

[Pugilistic™]

Pavlik by close UD or late tko. Calzaghe had the ability to back up Kessler throughout their fight and even hurt him, Pavlik would hurt him with all his shots landed.