“Fighting Words” – Kessler-Ward: One Tough S.O.G., One Not-So-Great Dane

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

by David P. Greisman - Mikkel Kessler, the veteran, he of 43 pro fights, he of nine world title bouts, looked the part of a challenger out of his league.

Andre Ward, the prospect, he of 20 pro fights, he of zero world title bouts, looked like a veteran who knew exactly what to do and how to do it.

“I’m looking for habits. I’m not looking for mistakes, because everyone can make mistakes in a fight. It’s the habits that he does in every fight. He does the exact same thing in every fight.”

That was Freddie Roach, trainer of Manny Pacquiao, speaking of what he looked for while studying Miguel Cotto’s past fights.

Words of wisdom for one fight can apply to another.

“I think my strengths are [my] speed and my experience,” Kessler, the Viking Warrior from Denmark, said five days before the fight. “I have double the fights he has, and I have had a lot of big fights.

“I’m not the kind of guy who watches tape,” Kessler said. “I watched some of his fights a couple times and we talked about it. I’m well prepared.”

“People are often surprised when they fight me,” Ward, the Oakland, Calif, fighter known as S.O.G., or Son of God, said five days before the fight. “You see one thing and get in the ring and see something different. [Edison] Miranda told me in the locker room after the fight that he thought I would be a lot easier than I was, and I’ve heard that a lot during my career, even going back to the amateurs. [details]

[Freddy Krueger]

Boxers who don't watch tapes are morons. I know Mayweather Jr lies and says he doesn't watch tapes which I know is bs. Because his trainers have admitted to watching tapes and ****. And I'm sure he does too. Its hard not to study a boxer if you don't know what kind of movements they do. Unless a fighter is willing to give the first couple rounds away in a fight to study their opponent.

[BoxingKnowledge]

I said all along...........

that Ward would beat Kessler casue I seen htis kid fight. He is one of the most technical sound fighters out there right there. He brings a little bit of everything to the table and it will be Ward or Abraham winning this Super Six.

[Walt Liquor]

YES!!! We don't have to hear how great Kessler is anymore. Dude has fought absolutely no one since JoeCal schooled him, yet he remained the #1 SMW in people's eyes.

[boxasmash]

Boxers who don't watch tapes are morons. I know Mayweather Jr lies and says he doesn't watch tapes which I know is bs. Because his trainers have admitted to watching tapes and ****. And I'm sure he does too. Its hard not to study a boxer if you don't know what kind of movements they do. Unless a fighter is willing to give the first couple rounds away in a fight to study their opponent.

Your hero Calzaghe is a moron.

[Degsy]

Your hero Calzaghe is a moron.

While I wouldn't go as far as calling him a moron, he should have spent more time on analysis. Its one thing backing yourself to work out an opponent when you are fighting him, but why make your life anymore difficult than it has to be?

As impressive as Ward was skill wise (yes he was dirty, but so was Froch), I found his team even more so, they had studied Kessler down to the nth degree. They had seen him struggle to react to Calzaghe's change in tactics and built a solid game plan which Ward executed in a way above his years.

I was one of those that still thought that Kessler would catch Ward out with the uppercut, but Ward never gave him the chance.

One thing everyone will have to agree on is that it has made the torunament even more exciting.

[LEFTYGUNZZ]

Boxers who don't watch tapes are morons. I know Mayweather Jr lies and says he doesn't watch tapes which I know is bs. Because his trainers have admitted to watching tapes and ****. And I'm sure he does too. Its hard not to study a boxer if you don't know what kind of movements they do. Unless a fighter is willing to give the first couple rounds away in a fight to study their opponent.

I disagree and think that trainers should watch hours of tapes and only show the fighter what they need to see and prep for in the ring. As for FMj he is unique case in where he can adjust to any style and most have to watch tape on him to prepare for him not the other way around. His trainer Roger may watch tapes and use those instances he singles out in sparring sessions and training....Lefty

YES!!! We don't have to hear how great Kessler is anymore. Dude has fought absolutely no one since JoeCal schooled him, yet he remained the #1 SMW in people's eyes.

Honsetly I am not convinced about SOG myself Walt. i think he is skilled but the style he has used in the past two fights to me is quite boring and boderline illegal. He was leading with his head in both the Miranda fight and this one. He was using his jab as a stiff arm Saturday and was warned about it at least two times. He was clinching and diving in with his left arm wrapping it around Kesslers back and holding him n place whie hitting. He was hitting on the breaks and taking the protect yourself at all times to a max. I think if he had a strict reff or if someones promoters / trainers were to compain about it and he was penalized for some of those tatics much the way Taylor was for low blows he is in a different fight all together. I am not saying he is any less good or saying Kessler was not exposed I am just saying I am not ready to go al in either way. Fact is he beat a very good fighter Saturday night. He has a good total package and I think he can do some big things in boxing. I am just not too sold on his style....Lefty

[SplitSecond]

S.o.g?.................

[Syf]

eh....

You guys on Ward's balls enough?

[Sinisterevo]

Yes Ward did hit and hold and came in with his head a lot of times, and also left his arm out too much which I believe is illegal. But even if he hadn't done those things he would have still won. It was up to Kessler and his corner to advise him to counter those tactics or to somehow adjust. He didn't and really didn't look himself for the fight. Styles make fights.