Andre Ward vs. Mikkel Kessler: official poll and predictions thread

[The Underboss]

Kessler by decision.

[BattlingNelson]

Calzaghe was tougher, but I think it's debatable as to whether or not Ward is a tougher fight than Mundine.

Calzaghe yes, but I think Ward is better than Mundine. He's a young, undefeated former Olympic Gold Medal winner who's had the best possible training.

Ward's handspeed equals Mikkel's, although not his power.

Resumé-wise not much separates Mundine and Ward IMO.

[slicksouthpaw16]

Kessler has the superior jab and is better at controlling distance while Ward has the better foot speed. At distance, i actually think Kessler has the advantage. Even though he moves in straight lines against boxers, i think his accurate jab will allow him to control range which will eventually force Ward to come inside (where he would be hurt) and throw him off of his game. I like Kessler by decision ( when Ward feels Kessler's power, i think he'll be content to stay away).

Ward isn't as slick as Calzaghe and doesn't have those overall tools that he brought. Calzaghe mixed up his attack. At certain points, he would bring the fight to Kessler and force him to fight at a face pace, other times he would stay outside and out jab Kessler which threw him off of his game. Calzaghe also has a very arkward style ( and the fact that he is a southpaw makes it even worse) which makes him difficult to predict.

[Shadows]

Resumé-wise not much separates Mundine and Ward IMO.

That's a fair point, but I rate Ward higher than Mundine.

[deanrw]

I'm going with Kessler by decision. Ward has good legs and can tie up well. He is also super fast. He will give Kessler some trouble at different points of the fight but I think Kessler's experience and well roundedness should pull him through.

One thing that could hurt Kessler is his lack of solid competition as of late, so a good mover might throw off his timing.

Ward is a better fighter than most give him credit for here and he is definitely a tough fight. I'll say Kessler 8 rounds to 4 or 7 rounds to 5 with a knockdown mixed in.

[Mr. Philadel]

Ward is gettin' stopped....but I picked Kessler by decision by mistake!!

[Walterson]

Ward has got this because he is the best at adapting to any fighter out of all the six in this tourney.

[STEELHEAD]

i going out on a limb and limiting myself to this one scenario at this time.

andre ward can't hurt kessler.
kessler, if he has to, can walk down ward with hands down and clock him.

could andre go the dirrell route and make this a booring fight?
think kess is much better skilled than froch.
but if kess still has the same worthless corner in there that he had against calzaghe then a red flag has been rizen in my mind.

to me kess and pavlik are two boxers who have suffered and have been limited by there teams.

oh and look what just happened to yorgey under lowes tutulidge!
sheesh. he could be ruined!

[Walterson]

Ward can definitely hurt Kessler, not sure about knocking him out because I haven't seen him face anyone with power - but Ward for sure will definitely hurt Kessler.

To add to that, Kessler does not like to get hit so you should remove the likeliness of him getting hit.

I have Ward winning.

[BattlingNelson]

i going out on a limb and limiting myself to this one scenario at this time.

andre ward can't hurt kessler.
kessler, if he has to, can walk down ward with hands down and clock him.

could andre go the dirrell route and make this a booring fight?
think kess is much better skilled than froch.
but if kess still has the same worthless corner in there that he had against calzaghe then a red flag has been rizen in my mind.

to me kess and pavlik are two boxers who have suffered and have been limited by there teams.

oh and look what just happened to yorgey under lowes tutulidge!
sheesh. he could be ruined!

Same corner as for the Calzaghe fight.