Kessler-Ward: Issues Over Appointment Of Local Officials

[Calilloyd]

Am I the only one thinking that neither can KO each other really? I know this is boxing and anything can happen, but I think both will be really really defensive in this fight. If their is a KO maybe really late similar to Pacquiao/Cotto but not as one-sided probably.

I think either is capable of stopping the other but I don't see it happening either. I see a close fight being decided in the last 3-4 rounds. I think Ward is a very live underdog and the fact that he's fighting at home will give him extra adrenaline. I'm a little surprised that a lot of people here seem to give Ward no chance. I see this as a very tough even fight that's hard to pick.

[Scott9945]

Maybe Ward legitimately beats Kessler. I don't think enough attention has been focused on that.

Or maybe there is a clean KO that makes this topic moot. But it reflects badly on boxing when it appears that the deck is stacked going in. The results of some Goossen fights have a notorious reputation in California.

[HeartAttack]

this isn't even a title fight with the WBA involved or not. I actually hope they're not. the fighters will make more money. However, Kessler and every other fighter deserves fair judging. How sad is it that we have to remove judges no matter where they're origin is because they just can't get the decisions right. That's a pathetic reflection on the judges. Not just in California (which they are terrible, worse than Florida, slightly better than Texas) but around the globe. Standards in judging should be raised so this shouldn't even be an issue. But it is, and it needs to be addressed immediately in this situation. I don't give a fuck if the WBA pulls out, but I would be pissed as fuck if this fight gets canned because of this ignorance.

[Pullcounter]

wow.... 2 california judges... ward isn't going to go for the KO i assume... bwhahahahahahah

[bojangles1987]

The last thing this tourney needs after the Froch-Dirrell debacle is for Ward to get a gift through judges from California. Kessler shouldn't leave it that close though so it may be a non issue.

[Iceta]

wow.... 2 california judges... ward isn't going to go for the KO i assume... bwhahahahahahah

I know people may not be happy with the Dirrel Froch decision. But at least it was a split call, and Dirrel is the one who ran all night. And I'm saying this as someone who's not a Froch fan. I'll bet this decision will cause a big stink too if it comes down to that as well. I don't know how aggressive Ward plans to be, but Kessler better be ready to throw them thangs because it looks like he aint winning a decision.

[The Hammer]

I see a close fight being decided in the last 3-4 rounds. I think Ward is a very live underdog and the fact that he's fighting at home will give him extra adrenaline.

Well if it's a close fight as you're predicting, then it's especially important that the judges be fair.

[pelonxsoldier28]

well it seems both sides wanna cheat? f@$k the super six. fight in Vegas, or at the garden, those are the only fair places for Americans and Europeans. both are basically the mecca of boxing. go to Cali and no way it's fair for Europeans, or go to Europe and same thing. bypass all and go to mexico. make the judges from different countries then the fighters. somethings gotta be done, this is bull****.

[ShoulderRoll]

They need to do the right thing. Dirrell got screwed in Europe but I don't want to see any shady stuff here in the US.

[dumdane]

If it's in the cotract then ***en fix it. How can they get away with this

They're american, that's how :-)

When dubious things happen in Germany, Denmark (..or lately UK) it's horrendous cheating and reason for no american fighter to EVER travel again.
When it happens in the USA, it's just a minor misshap that has no real effect and people should stop worrying.
Surely nothing truly wrong happens in God's own country?