How bad would Kessler beat Calzaghe in a rematch?

[Kris Silver]

I bet a grand that Kessler was going to beat him in the first fight so I was keen on him beating Joe at the time , after seeing the fight Joe came up and Kessler went down in my view , Kessler wont come from behind and wont gut out a win with the real top fighters , Joe has too much grit for Kessler and I think that will ever change , Kessler has been good to me in real money bets , I won 3 grand on him when he beat Mundine and 300 when he knocked out Beyer , I wont bet on him against either Pavlik Dawson or JC , I dont see improvement in Kessler only more of the same .

Wrongly underrated Calzaghe once, perhaps that's not the only time or area you do. You've bashed and dislike the British, routed and bet against one for that reason. You go with your heart not your head.

Kessler is great, he could have, and would have a slightly better performance against Joe. But any time in the next 18 months he still loses. There was nothing in that fight that called for a rematch hence no one has. Mikkel probably did have some injuries with his hands but he sure hasn't spoken out about it much, why? I certainly don't think his hand was totally, or seriously broken. He had no real problems throwing very hard shots with both hands. Calzaghe can't do so because of his longterm hand fragile hands. So I don't think Kesslers condition was a massive factor in the outcome of the fight. He'd still lose in a similar fashion.

[BattlingNelson]

Wrongly underrated Calzaghe once, perhaps that's not the only time or area you do. You've bashed and dislike the British, routed and bet against one for that reason. You go with your heart not your head.

Kessler is great, he could have, and would have a slightly better performance against Joe. But any time in the next 18 months he still loses. There was nothing in that fight that called for a rematch hence no one has. Mikkel probably did have some injuries with his hands but he sure hasn't spoken out about it much, why? I certainly don't think his hand was totally, or seriously broken. He had no real problems throwing very hard shots with both hands. Calzaghe can't do so because of his longterm hand fragile hands. So I don't think Kesslers condition was a massive factor in the outcome of the fight. He'd still lose in a similar fashion.

Kessler's hand was surgically repaired after the Calzaghe fight. Kessler said the hand didn't bother him in the fight as it had received treatment. It's still a fact that he didn't spar in the lead-up to the fight. Draw your own conclusions as to how big an impact not being able to spar has on the outcome of a fight.

Here's what Graham Houston recently said before Kessler's fight with Sartison:

"Mikkel Kessler returns to the ring on Saturday night in his first bout after losing to Joe Calzaghe. It is also Kessler’s first fight since the Dane had surgery on his right hand. His promoter, Mogens Palle, confirmed to me that the rumours going into Kessler’s fight with Calzaghe were all too true — the right hand had indeed been injured in training. The fact that Kessler was competitive while fighting under a handicap made his performance against Calzaghe a highly commendable one, even though he lost widely on the scorecards."

Here he is at the hospital on Nov. 15 2007.

[Kris Silver]

Kessler's hand was surgically repaired after the Calzaghe fight. Kessler said the hand didn't bother him in the fight as it had received treatment. It's still a fact that he didn't spar in the lead-up to the fight. Draw your own conclusions as to how big an impact not being able to spar has on the outcome of a fight.

Here's what Graham Houston recently said before Kessler's fight with Sartison:

"Mikkel Kessler returns to the ring on Saturday night in his first bout after losing to Joe Calzaghe. It is also Kessler’s first fight since the Dane had surgery on his right hand. His promoter, Mogens Palle, confirmed to me that the rumours going into Kessler’s fight with Calzaghe were all too true — the right hand had indeed been injured in training. The fact that Kessler was competitive while fighting under a handicap made his performance against Calzaghe a highly commendable one, even though he lost widely on the scorecards."

Here he is at the hospital on Nov. 15 2007.

You've provided info on Mikkels hands and stuff before and it's been very insightful and appreciated. I think it was you whom posted some pictures of his hand, he has a funny large knuckle.

Thing is though, in his own words the hand didn't bother him much in the fight. Not sparring much before the fight effects different fighters in different ways. Personally I think it's all relative. Joe couldn't spar much before Lacy and he still put on a top performance. He also has permanently fragile hands meaning he can't hit as hard as he once could. He had Mikkel hurt once even, so what if he didn't have brittle hands and could have hit that and other shots harder? It's all speculation. I do respect fighters for fighting through any amount of adversity though, but Roy Jones and Danny Williams winning with entirely ****ed arms is on another level.

I don't think going much further is warranted based on everything, because Mikkel doesn't cite his lack of sparring or hand as the reason he lost, he himself cited the reason being him not having a plan b, or c. He's totally right, with lots of sparring that wouldn't have been much different. Calzaghe beats most guys on his versatility and being able to adapt which he did perfectly with Kessler, so it's no exception imo. A rematch this November would probably see a slightly less rusty more versatile Kessler winning another couple of rounds though, so close fight.

[BattlingNelson]

You've provided info on Mikkels hands and stuff before and it's been very insightful and appreciated. I think it was you whom posted some pictures of his hand, he has a funny large knuckle.

Thing is though, in his own words the hand didn't bother him much in the fight. Not sparring much before the fight effects different fighters in different ways. Personally I think it's all relative. Joe couldn't spar much before Lacy and he still put on a top performance. He also has permanently fragile hands meaning he can't hit as hard as he once could. He had Mikkel hurt once even, so what if he didn't have brittle hands and could have hit that and other shots harder? It's all speculation. I do respect fighters for fighting through any amount of adversity though, but Roy Jones and Danny Williams winning with entirely ****ed arms is on another level.

I don't think going much further is warranted based on everything, because Mikkel doesn't cite his lack of sparring or hand as the reason he lost, he himself cited the reason being him not having a plan b, or c. He's totally right, with lots of sparring that wouldn't have been much different. Calzaghe beats most guys on his versatility and being able to adapt which he did perfectly with Kessler, so it's no exception imo. A rematch this November would probably see a slightly less rusty more versatile Kessler winning another couple of rounds though, so close fight.

I pretty much agree on this. Of course I believe that Kessler might win a re-match but that's probably no surprise.

[MANGLER]

Kessler would lose again. Like the announcers were sayin that night, he didn't make mistakes or fight the wrong fight. Kessler gave his all and his best wasn't nearly good enough.

[Kris Silver]

I pretty much agree on this. Of course I believe that Kessler might win a re-match but that's probably no surprise.

Hmmm, does me a little. I mean I could see Mikkel doing better overall and troubling Joe more I really could. But he fought his fight the best he could. If he went in with plan b's in a way he might not be quite as instinctive or effective. I could even see him confusing himself as it's not his natural self. It's not like Calzaghe will get confused with a new style he'll relish in it. It might seem obvious to say he was very versatile so I should have been more to stand a chance at winning. But in a way taking a guy on at what's he's best at can be the worst thing you can do.

[Dangerous Wlad]

No off-night. Just a broken hand.

I would consider that an off night lol

[BattlingNelson]

Hmmm, does me a little. I mean I could see Mikkel doing better overall and troubling Joe more I really could. But he fought his fight the best he could. If he went in with plan b's in a way he might not be quite as instinctive or effective. I could even see him confusing himself as it's not his natural self. It's not like Calzaghe will get confused with a new style he'll relish in it. It might seem obvious to say he was very versatile so I should have been more to stand a chance at winning. But in a way taking a guy on at what's he's best at can be the worst thing you can do.

Place a re-match in Copenhagen or some place neutral, and add the fact that Joe's gotten older and Kessler has gotten wiser and has had his usual 130+ rounds of sparring before a big fight.

These are issues that might change the outcome IMO.

[Stickman]

I'm not blown away by any of the three to tell you the truth. Taylor digressed after he fought Hopkins (even tho I didnt think he landed **** in those fights anyway) Pavlik will be outboxed and probably busted up soon. Calzaghe fans big up Kessler to make Joey look look better.

Naw, it's the other way 'round. Calzaghe haters make Kessler out to be a 1 eyed village idiot so they don't have to admit that Calzaghe isn't the same. Before the Calzaghe fight, Kessler was thought to be at least in the top 3. Now, to hear those who hate Calzaghe tell it, he was never more than a club fighter with a good promoter.

Kessler/Pavlik would be a great fight. If Pavlik managed to not get caught early and be KO'd, he'd stand a good chance of a decision, if he is in his usual great shape.

Kessler/Taylor would be humiliating for Taylor. He'd leave in an ambulance. Kessler's style is ALL wrong for Taylor and he should never take this fight.

[joshyp18]

calzaghe is still showing me good things. he has a sort of a craft that a young joe didn't have. just using all his tools and angles at this stage. and early joe was a ****er and i'm not sure if he would be too successful if he still had that style

he still has good years to come if keep fighting. not being biased against joe, i can't see anyone beating him. he beat kessler, a man whom i met and even watched train for his fight with anrade and i though he couldn't be beat.

good point. kessler is 1 of the cleanest punchers around at the min. but still i cant see anyone beating calzaghe. just wnt happen. hes that damn good.