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

[Degsy]

This is a really interesting fight, especially if it goes to a decision as although it is under the aegis of the super six, Kessler is effectively the champion. Most judges' place a certain premium on the incumbent, i.e. you have to do something positive to take the belt from a fighter; this was Dirrel's mistake, if he would have been fighting Froch for a vacant title, the judges may have allowed him more leeway in some of the rounds, in my opinion because Froch was the incumbent Dirrell's tactics cost him the fight (although I still think Froch was very lucky). So you have two competing forces in the home town bias versus the subjective view of wresting the belt from the champion.

Judging out of the way, we have to consider the fighters; Ward won an olympic gold so props for that, but Audley Harrison is a salutory lesson for those that think the medal is a passport to professional greatness. Prior to studying his fights, I had to go on what both his fans and dectractors had said, the usual crap from 'better than Calzaghe' down to 'useless bum', watching him it is very clear that neither of those two polarised views are true. He looked prety good against Miranda, but there were a couple of flaws in his defence that would concern me if I was in his camp, namely overextending himself when jabbing and his defence when coming into a clinch, we will certainly know if he has a chin or not by the end of the Kessler fight as some of the uppercuts he served Calzaghe would have put alot of people to sleep period. Offensively, he's quick but no where near as quick as come of his more loyal fans would have you think and I was also expecting more in the way of combinations, but he is not out of place at this level. Going on a limb, Keesler by stoppage, possibly an uppercut (see jangeorg's gif) when ward gets too careless

[Shadows]

This is a really interesting fight, especially if it goes to a decision as although it is under the aegis of the super six, Kessler is effectively the champion. Most judges' place a certain premium on the incumbent, i.e. you have to do something positive to take the belt from a fighter; this was Dirrel's mistake, if he would have been fighting Froch for a vacant title, the judges may have allowed him more leeway in some of the rounds, in my opinion because Froch was the incumbent Dirrell's tactics cost him the fight (although I still think Froch was very lucky). So you have two competing forces in the home town bias versus the subjective view of wresting the belt from the champion.

Judging out of the way, we have to consider the fighters; Ward won an olympic gold so props for that, but Audley Harrison is a salutory lesson for those that think the medal is a passport to professional greatness. Prior to studying his fights, I had to go on what both his fans and dectractors had said, the usual crap from 'better than Calzaghe' down to 'useless bum', watching him it is very clear that neither of those two polarised views are true. He looked prety good against Miranda, but there were a couple of flaws in his defence that would concern me if I was in his camp, namely overextending himself when jabbing and his defence when coming into a clinch, we will certainly know if he has a chin or not by the end of the Kessler fight as some of the uppercuts he served Calzaghe would have put alot of people to sleep period. Offensively, he's quick but no where near as quick as come of his more loyal fans would have you think and I was also expecting more in the way of combinations, but he is not out of place at this level. Going on a limb, Keesler by stoppage, possibly an uppercut (see jangeorg's gif) when ward gets too careless

That's a reasonable prediction.

I think another question that looms, at least to me as a Kessler fan, is whether or not Kessler shook off all the rust in his last fight. IMO, Ward is the quickest and most talented fighter he's faced since Calzaghe, and if he's still a bit off, he may find himself in a hole early.

Still, I'm predicting a decision for Kessler.

[Degsy]

That's a reasonable prediction.

I think another question that looms, at least to me as a Kessler fan, is whether or not Kessler shook off all the rust in his last fight. IMO, Ward is the quickest and most talented fighter he's faced since Calzaghe, and if he's still a bit off, he may find himself in a hole early.

Still, I'm predicting a decision for Kessler.

I think Mikkel will rise to the occasion, I don't think that ward can put the sort of pressure on him that Joe did, not without taking some punishment, then we come back to the question - can he take Kessler's shots ...we will find out

[jangeorg]

Going on a limb, Keesler by stoppage, possibly an uppercut (see jangeorg's gif) when ward gets too careless

GOODNIGHT WARD

[Kjryan]

kessler on points for me...

[TheUptownKid]

**** Andre Ward. I hate the way these pansy ass American fighters run around and try to spoil.

I hope Kessler knocks his head off.

I hate the way these european fighters fight like lurch with no mobility or handspeed. I hope ward peppers his face to the point he can't see

[Freddy Krueger]

Both need to prove something in this fight.

[cyutetrick]

i think ward is gonna suprise some people in this fight!!

[flyest1]

Both need to prove something in this fight.

Couldn't have said it any better.

[Allucard]

It's precisely to avoid jetlag that Kessler has already set up camp in a deep forest near Sacramento.

I hope he gets a fair fight. I hope Froch gets robbed when he travels though.