Andre Ward Punishes Mikkel Kessler, Captures WBA Belt

[revs1227]

domninates with headbutts and doirty tactics
usa usa usa !

[Allucard]

please he held more than john ruiz in this fight, Froch and Abraham will break him. IDK what happened to Kessler, inactivity and injuries have really slowed him down.

Everyone will look slow when put in with someone faster than them. Someone will look fast when put in with slower people, does that make sense?
The holding is part of the game, it wasn't like Ward was the only one holding, they both held. And the headbutts (2 only during the whole fight and not an headbutting fest as many haters want to make it look like) played no role in the result. The holding on the other hand did, it stole us of a KO finish by either guy. And Ward dominated Kessler on the inside and out.

[WESS]

First off, big props to Ward. I thought he did great at what it took to beat Kessler and I might add that he did it way, way more impressively than Calzaghe did.

Now to the problems I have with the win. While it worked to a tee, Andre jumped in after jabs and hooks and held constantly. He led with is head repeatedly and while he did land a lot of good shots, those were not what caused Kesslers cuts. They were from head butts no doubt about it. I don't think Mikkel was going to beat him anyways, but he certainly deserved a better ref job than that. The ref allowed AW to jump in and tie up a million times and gave no warning at all. It was pitiful and I understand why he is upset. Why did Dirrell lose a decision basically doing the same thing Ward dominated doing? Was it because Froch didn't allow him to just tie up without retaliation or because the fight was on European soil.

You decide. I have.

Good points. Although I didn't see anything wrong with the fight. It was exciting at times. The ref IMO did an OK job. On one of the head butts he could have taken a point, easily. But would ONE, TWO or THREE deducted points have turned the fight around? Shyt would FOUR have turned the fight around? Only way Kessler would have won was by way of DQ. As Kessler said himself he wasn't used to the style. A green fighter had him confused and he never got into a "rhythm". I like Kessler but he needs a heart.

To all the people complaining about the head butts, how about you go watch the 20 other fights Ward was in. You will see he's a clean fighter. I know most are just mad because an American won and most where saying that the Americans had no chance at winning a single fight. Well Dirrell embarrassed Froch yet "LOST"(???) (because it was in Europe) and Ward just dismantled Kessler. Anyone could see that.

[Chase8400]

Ward dominted. Kessler had multiple cuts and one was caused by a butt.

Ultimately the cut caused by the butt stopped the fight and it went to the cards where Ward was a clear winner.

The ref saved Kessler from being KO'ed and cost Ward the bonus point.

All the cuts were from butts except the one under his right eye being questionable, let's get that straight. It's just than only the last one was ruled from one.

[Iceta]

I don't even know if Kessler can beat Carl Froch to be honest. Ward is a lot more skilled than Froch. But Ward doesn't have one punch KO power and he hurt Kessler numerous times in their fight. I don't think Kessler's jaw is made out of iron if you know what I'm saying.

[The Slaughter]

props to Ward, he fought a good fight!
Kessler lost the fight without giving 100% and seemed like he had no real tactics, he is not the same fighter as he where before he lost to Calzaghe, yesterday he was a shadow of prime Kessler and as a dane I was very sorry to see him like that.

Ward is good but not that good, Im afraid Kessler is done..

[Chase8400]

Good points. Although I didn't see anything wrong with the fight. It was exciting at times. The ref IMO did an OK job. On one of the head butts he could have taken a point, easily. But would ONE, TWO or THREE deducted points have turned the fight around? Shyt would FOUR have turned the fight around? Only way Kessler would have won was by way of DQ. As Kessler said himself he wasn't used to the style. A green fighter had him confused and he never got into a "rhythm". I like Kessler but he needs a heart.

To all the people complaining about the head butts, how about you go watch the 20 other fights Ward was in. You will see he's a clean fighter. I know most are just mad because an American won and most where saying that the Americans had no chance at winning a single fight. Well Dirrell embarrassed Froch yet "LOST"(???) (because it was in Europe) and Ward just dismantled Kessler. Anyone could see that.

No, I'm right there with you. I don't think Kessler wins, even with a cleaner fight. I was just thinking that had the ref done a better job and warned about the jumping in head first and tying up repeatedly, we could have seen a way better and more competitive fight. I don't think I could give an accurate count on how many times Kessler was struggling to get his arms free and punch while Ward was holding on with the kung fu grip.

Overall, I don't think Kessler got outclassed, but he certainly was made to look a lot worse than he is. That was due to a masterful performance but was aided by a somewhat illegal ring perfomance by Ward. I don't think he is a dirty fighter by a long shot, but some fighters fight in a way that gives them an advantage against somebody who is dangerous and has a different set of skills that can be offset by doing so. (See Hopkins vs. Calzaghe for a reference)

[WESS]

Ward dominted. Kessler had multiple cuts and one was caused by a butt.

Ultimately the cut caused by the butt stopped the fight and it went to the cards where Ward was a clear winner.

The ref saved Kessler from being KO'ed and cost Ward the bonus point.

Clean, Clear and right to the point. The thread should END after your comment.

GREAT POST.

[WESS]

No, I'm right there with you. I don't think Kessler wins, even with a cleaner fight. I was just thinking that had the ref done a better job and warned about the jumping in head first and tying up repeatedly, we could have seen a way better and more competitive fight. I don't think I could give an accurate count on how many times Kessler was struggling to get his arms free and punch while Ward was holding on with the kung fu grip.

Overall, I don't think Kessler got outclassed, but he certainly was made to look a lot worse than he is. That was due to a masterful performance but was aided by a somewhat illegal ring performance by Ward. I don't think he is a dirty fighter by a long shot, but some fighters fight in a way that gives them an advantage against somebody who is dangerous and has a different set of skills that can be offset by doing so. (See Hopkins vs. Calzaghe for a reference)

I feel ya. I like Kessler and didn't like to see him beat the way he was "beat". He just looked pitiful and I don't say that in a disrespectful way. I do beleieve Ward watched a lot of BHOP fights. Non of the head butts IMO looked intentional. It was just a clash of styles. The green contender's style beat the so called veteran. Calzaghe would probably use the term GREAT SUPER STAR CHAMP or something. Hey at least Kessler makes Joe look good................... or not.

[dde91]

Didn't see the fight, hoping to watch it later today, and PROPS to Ward *USA USA* but Kessler to me has always been overrated and his biggest win is his loss to Calzaghe. Other then that, WHO HAS HE BEAT??