Kessler turns down Dawson!

[BattlingNelson]

Dawson and his promoter Gary Shaw stated that he would bring Kessler up to light heavyweight if the fight was to happen, and that Dawson will not go below 175. I heard in an interview when Kessler was calling out Hopkins, that going up to 175 would not be a problem at all. This is a clear case of a promoter not being confident in his fighter. Dawson and Shaw already stated that they are open for a Kessler fight early next year. This is a fight that fans want to see.

Palle said Kessler would move up for Hopkins and calzaghe. Not for Dawson. I'd expect it to be because they want Dawson to trim down. According to Palle Dawson adds 10-12 lbs after the weigh-in.

I think the game is a risk/reward game. I honestly cannot understand why the sides cannot come to terms with a catchweight fight since Dawson, according to several posters, could make as low as 168. A catchweight would also be a non-title affair.

[slicksouthpaw16]

Palle said Kessler would move up for Hopkins and calzaghe. Not for Dawson. I'd expect it to be because they want Dawson to trim down. According to Palle Dawson adds 10-12 lbs after the weigh-in.

I think the game is a risk/reward game. I honestly cannot understand why the sides cannot come to terms with a catchweight fight since Dawson, according to several posters, could make as low as 168. A catchweight would also be a non-title affair.

Gary Shaw stated that Dawson eats his way up to light heavyweight, and when i was talking to Chad on *******( a month before the Tarver fight) he told me that making light heavyweight is no problem at all and that he enters camp already on weight. Its just that Chad is a natural light heavyweight and bringing Kessler up to 175 would be at his advantage because that's where he is most comfortable at, and hes the champion there too.

I believe that Dawson is too much of a big risk but little reward situation for Palle to handle, and IMO that why Dawson isn't getting any of the big fights with any of the stars.

[The Hammer]

I think the game is a risk/reward game. I honestly cannot understand why the sides cannot come to terms with a catchweight fight since Dawson, according to several posters, could make as low as 168. A catchweight would also be a non-title affair.

If Dawson is really not much bigger, why won't he agree to fight Kessler at 168?

Dawson would have a substantial height and reach advantage anyway, and if the fight is at 175, also a weight advantage.

[BattlingNelson]

If Dawson is really not much bigger, why won't he agree to fight Kessler at 168?

Exactly. That's the part I dont understand. Or perhaps 170-172.

[slicksouthpaw16]

If Dawson is really not much bigger, why won't he agree to fight Kessler at 168?

IMO Kessler needs Dawson more than Dawson needs him. Dawson is a proven champion that could just go after the big names at light heavy. Kessler has something to prove, and that is to show everyone he is not protected and can compete on a world class level.

[Migs]

Dude Kessler needs to get rid of his promotor quick if he wants to remain a somebody in this sport.

[Sweetdrm]

Kessler would most likely lose, just like he lost to calzaghe because he has trouble in dealing with aggressive fighters who continously throw flurry of punches, even mundine hurt him in their fight but unfortunately his stamina let him down.

[The Hammer]

IMO Kessler needs Dawson more than Dawson needs him. Dawson is a proven champion that could just go after the big names at light heavy. Kessler has something to prove, and that is to show everyone he is not protected and can compete on a world class level.

Dawson ducked Diaconu, and now he'll duck hard-punching Tavoris Cloud.

He chose Jesus Ruiz as a voluntary over mandatory Diaconu in June 2007. That was one of the weakest voluntary defenses in the history of boxing...

[BennyST]

I imagine they are probably wanting to bring Kessler back to full confidence and have him beat some of the top guys at 168 again in title fights before moving up to 175 and fighting the top guy there. It may not be a wise career move if he lost to Dawson now (though it would still be one of the best fights possible in boxing I think), whereas he could get a fight with Lacy/Taylor, Bute, Froch etc etc and he could probably beat them and then push forward with his title reign at SMW.

I imagine they are wanting to make him a big star at SMW and then when there is no one left to fight, they would make the move up to LHW and fight the big boys there. That is the only thing I can think of as their reasoning.

I think before any serious judgment be made on Kessler as a *****, we should wait to see who they actually announce as his next opponent, which would probably be soon, otherwise they would not have turned this offer down so quickly. There must be someone they have in mind who they're also probably already in negotiations with. We shall see.

[BennyST]

Kessler would most likely lose, just like he lost to calzaghe because he has trouble in dealing with aggressive fighters who continously throw flurry of punches, even mundine hurt him in their fight but unfortunately his stamina let him down.

Well, I wouldn't go that far. Mundne put up a decent fight, but that's about it. Dawson is not an aggressive fighter. Calzaghe is an aggressive fighter without the firepower of most aggressive power punchers, but, the one thing he does have which so many aggressive fighters don't is great skill in using angles, movement, defense to his offensive advantage.