hit and hold style

[King Jaffe Joffer]

You forgot to mention how Ward was out jabbing Kessler and beating him up on the inside as Kessler has NO inside skills... What about that?

[The Great Shark]

Egghead.

Ward outboxed him both on the inside and outside perimeters. It also could've been strategy, which using his knowledge was obviously a part of his game plan. Watching film, looking for mistakes to capitilize on, etc etc. Not saying Kessler is a bad fighter at all, just saying Ward is better than him.

[BMWM3P]

Why are people saying Kessler is washed up or overrated?He went against a guy who uses the hit and hold style that Hatton Ruiz and Hopkins have used to make alot of good fighters look very bad.That style of fighting can be used by lesser fighters to shut down better fighters if they do it correct.

DEFENSE
Stay out of range most of the fight and if the guy gets close enough to hit you or gets you against the ropes then tie him up.If you do this then he has to reach with all his punches because working his way inside or cutting off the ring does nothing for your opponent if he just gets tied up for doing it.Every time you come inside to grab lead with your head.This will make him more defensive and not want to try and land shots out of fear of a headbutt.

OFFENSE
Use a quick burst to come inside to land one punch and then tie him up.Then after you tie him up let go then tie up the arm on the side where the ref cant see then hit him with your free hand.Your opponent will take some shots then try to tie up the arm your using to hit him.It will look like your trying to fight and the other guy is holding to the ref.Then let go blast him with a 2 or 3 punch combo and move back out of range.Since the other guy cant cant get close to you because you tie him up he will start reaching with his punches and you can just land fast counter shots and move away or tie him up after the counter.

Its very effective but its total crap because its all about excessive holding headbutting and holding while hitting.I remember Roy Jones and Floyd Mayweather before there fights with Ruiz and Hatton were very smart and kept talking about this style over and over to the ref and press.The ref in both fights was under so much pressure that they stopped Ruiz and Hatton from doing this and they both looked like the second rate fighters they were when they couldn't use this style.

I agree there should be something done about fighting this way. It's boring and has no place in pro boxing.

[HandSpeed303]

You have seen him beat plenty of fighters without holding but have you ever seen him beat a good fighter without using this style.He did it in the Miranda and Kessler fight for a reason.If he didn't use this style he would get knocked out.Ruiz was crap and after Tua ko'd him in the first he started to use this style and he became a top heavyweight.

Nothing but wishful thinking. You are starting to let this bother you a little to much.

[Matt Marvelous]

It wasn't just hit and hold. Ward honestly didn't hold that much at all, and when he did it wasn't really a negative type of holding. He would come in and muscle Kessler around a little bit, throw a solid uppercut, then get back to beating his ass on the outside. Negative holding is somewhat like Dirrell was doing. He doesn't work on the inside whatsoever. Ward can and does.

[HandSpeed303]

It wasn't just hit and hold. Ward honestly didn't hold that much at all, and when he did it wasn't really a negative type of holding. He would come in and muscle Kessler around a little bit, throw a solid uppercut, then get back to beating his ass on the outside. Negative holding is somewhat like Dirrell was doing. He doesn't work on the inside whatsoever. Ward can and does.

Thank you for the logic. I think that is what alot of people are trying to pass this off as, Dirrell type of holding.

From what I have heard, and the clips I have seen so far (was at work, will watch it on the DVR when I get off in about an hour), it is not that bad at all.

Some made it seem like it was the worst case of holding they had ever seem....Of cousre most of those people have Kessler in there sig or avitar. Go figure.

[Benny Leonard]

It wasn't just hit and hold. Ward honestly didn't hold that much at all, and when he did it wasn't really a negative type of holding. He would come in and muscle Kessler around a little bit, throw a solid uppercut, then get back to beating his ass on the outside. Negative holding is somewhat like Dirrell was doing. He doesn't work on the inside whatsoever. Ward can and does.

Yeah, no ****. Watched it a second time to make sure. I think the adrenaline and the fact that Kessler was getting his ass kicked got to his crowd so every hold was like a missed opportunity somehow when really, it just stopped the ass-kicking. One clinch for Ward was like 10 to his die-hards. Maybe he tires out more though.

It was a better fight for me I guess because I barely saw Ward fight before this and knew Kessler so I was cool with whoever won. Just a boxing fan watching a good fight.

The Head-butts were actually the concern I had. That was messed up and a warning should have been noted...then a point.

[CiganoBoxer]

Why all the bitchin??? Ward beat Kessler fair ...and yes he did hold the hit ..then hold then hit...but then so did Calzaghe....Ward is a good fighter...better than what i gave him credit for

[Calilloyd]

I agree there should be something done about fighting this way. It's boring and has no place in pro boxing.

Then John Ruiz and Ricky Hatton should have been out of boxing long ago.