Why didn't Arum go for Mikkel Kessler?

[Clegg]

Kessler has stated that Pavlik is his new career goal.

Unfortunately for him he's got to fight the useless Haussler first, before going to the states. Following the Sartison-fight Mogens Palle (Manager of Kessler) said that he'd never let Mikkel fight Haussler since he'd be afraid boxing would get banned in Denmark because he believed it to be a mismatch.

WBA has scheduled purseoffer for this fight later this month and my guess is that it'll be on in september. So much for Palles antics.

The WBA seem like the worst sanctioning body. Kessler only just won the title when it was vacant, so it's a bit soon to install a mandatory challenger.

I'm a bit worried that Calzaghe's retirement will mean the best at SMWs not facing each other. If Kessler had beaten Calzaghe, he would have the belts and be recognised as the guy to beat. Instead the belts will all become vacant and we'll have 4 champions all over again, and they may not fight each other at all.

[abadger]

In my opinion we'll see Pavlik avoid the likes of Abraham and Kessler for a while, to pursue easier and/or more lucrative fights such as the ones we see being talked about on here. Its no secret that fights between American and US champs are hard to make since its not easy to find decent risk/ reward for either party.

I fear that Kessler is going to get squeezed out. Objectively, I don't see how Pavlik (for example) could reasonably expect to beat him, and I think his loss to Calzaghe has seen him placed somewhat conveniently in the box marked 'loser', ignoring the fact that in all likelihood he is the best of the current SMWs. If Kessler wants a shot at Pavlik anytime soon he's going to have to beat some boxers, the problem is, who will actually fight him? Taylor, Hopkins, Jones, Lacy? I doubt any of them will to be honest and then Kessler might be left with someone like Froch, in a great fight I'm sure, but not one that gets Pavlik at the table.

[TonyJ]

HBO are really in charge so only american ratings really matter and Cal/Kess had the lowest primetime regular HBO ratings in history.

Calzaghe-Kessler had 1,6 M viewers without a countdown and not at prime-time.
Cotto/Margarito doubleheader (also on WCB) had ~1,1 viewers.
Calzaghe-Hopkins had 1,8 M viewers (with a countdown)
Americas biggest boxing superstar DLH had 2M viewers (with a countdown @primetime) for his first regular fight in years
You you see, it's not much difference.

[withoutthee88]

Calzaghe-Kessler had 1,6 M viewers without a countdown and not at prime-time.
Cotto/Margarito doubleheader (also on WCB) had ~1,1 viewers.
Calzaghe-Hopkins had 1,8 M viewers (with a countdown)
Americas biggest boxing superstar DLH had 2M viewers (with a countdown @primetime) for his first regular fight in years
You you see, it's not much difference.

Except that the British fighters are facing the top opposition at the weight class and they draw **** ratings, Americans are fighting tomato cans and drawing the same.

[Check]

Calzaghe-Kessler had 1,6 M viewers without a countdown and not at prime-time.
Cotto/Margarito doubleheader (also on WCB) had ~1,1 viewers.
Calzaghe-Hopkins had 1,8 M viewers (with a countdown)
Americas biggest boxing superstar DLH had 2M viewers (with a countdown @primetime) for his first regular fight in years
You you see, it's not much difference.

Cotto fought a scrub and Magarito isnt popular. Oscar fought forbes, I think this just shows if a big name fights a SCRUB people don't care to see the fight. Joe will never be a draw here, no one cares about him and trying to justify a fight with him and kessler geting low views is not okay. Kessler shouldn't fight Pavlik since he has only beaten Mudine. If HBO shows big fights which was what Calzaghe/Kessler was supposed to be it will get great ratings. No one here cares about Calzaghe because he didn't fight anyone so we didnt know who he was.

[BattlingNelson]

In my opinion we'll see Pavlik avoid the likes of Abraham and Kessler for a while, to pursue easier and/or more lucrative fights such as the ones we see being talked about on here. Its no secret that fights between American and US champs are hard to make since its not easy to find decent risk/ reward for either party.

I fear that Kessler is going to get squeezed out. Objectively, I don't see how Pavlik (for example) could reasonably expect to beat him, and I think his loss to Calzaghe has seen him placed somewhat conveniently in the box marked 'loser', ignoring the fact that in all likelihood he is the best of the current SMWs. If Kessler wants a shot at Pavlik anytime soon he's going to have to beat some boxers, the problem is, who will actually fight him? Taylor, Hopkins, Jones, Lacy? I doubt any of them will to be honest and then Kessler might be left with someone like Froch, in a great fight I'm sure, but not one that gets Pavlik at the table.

Great analysis. After Haussler Kessler would like to fight in the states late this year. He's likely to be avoided by the big names so he'll have to go for something of lower esteem to get some exposure.

I'd still like to see him fight Miranda. Vargas has also been mentioned as a possibility. Team Kessler themselves say they are looking for Calzaghe or Jones, which seems a bit ******.

[BattlingNelson]

Except that the British fighters are facing the top opposition at the weight class and they draw **** ratings, Americans are fighting tomato cans and drawing the same.

If anyone can see the logic in this post then please do explain.

[withoutthee88]

If anyone can see the logic in this post then please do explain.

I know you're smarter than that Bat.

[Check]

How doesn't that make sense bat? Calzaghe V Kessler is the top 2 guys in that division. They drew crappy in America. Cotto/DLH fought weak fighters and drew the same or more. Fans in America will tune in for big fights when they fight other big stars. Cal V Kessler is supposed to be a big fight but it really wasn't to americans. Joe had no name cause he didn't beat anyone and Kessler is just as hidden.

[kayjay]

Good question.