Comments Thread For: Froch vs. Kessler II: The Pre-Fight Report Card

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

By Cliff Rold - Boxing is, in so many ways, a passion sport. Saturday will be one of those nights where that passion is both displayed and conveyed to those who don’t get it. The 20,000 seat O2 Arena in London might create a roar that sounds like five times that many are in the building.

And why not?

The hometown guy in this one has more than earned the reception. Nottingham’s Carl Froch is everything fight fans say they want but seldom get. In an era where many top fighters talk about needing tune-ups while fighting twice a year, where guys milk network contracts and contacts (and no, that’s not a Mayweather reference; his schedule has been highly underrated if sporadic dating back to 2007) to avoid risk, Froch has made the most of a career that didn’t hit the promised land of opportunity until he was already past 30 years old.

It’s not to say he hasn’t taken a fight that one might consider a safer night on an occasion.

Literally, dating back to his first title shot versus an undefeated Jean Pascal in 2008, it has been only an occasion. In his last outing, Froch took on the dangerous but vulnerable Yusaf Mack and scored a walkover. It was a slight diversion from a schedule that featured legitimate, world-class fare in eight consecutive contests, losing only twice. [Click Here To Read More]

[BattlingNelson]

Robert Guererro and Brian Magee are stand-outs. They are the only english speakers picking Mikkel Kessler. The rest are picking Froch.

One would think this is a Klitschko fight. That's how onesided those numbers are. It's hard to believe that 95% of the so-called experts are picking against the man who won a close but clear decision in the first fight. Don't let Froch's word avalanche get to you. It was not a case of hometown being decisive. Had the fight not gone to Kessler it would have been a robbery.

A lot of these experts are picking Froch because of his level of opposition since their last fight. While true that the opposition has been formidable I believe the 'experts' are missing the key observations. Those observations being from the fights against Glenn Johnson and André Ward.

Both of these fighters employed the gameplan of pressure to seek victory against Froch. Johnson with succes until he ran out of steam and Ward largely succesfull all the way through despite a broken hand.

The gameplan was what Kessler used to beat Froch the first time. Pressure and bodyshots.

I've seen nothing in Froch's impressive wins against Abraham and Bute to suggest he is better at handling these issues. Abraham is slower than the Lord Nelson statue and Bute froze like a deer in the headlight and was hurt from almost every powershot landed by the Cobra.

So while Froch has been busy, Kessler has been injured. Why doesn't the 'experts' think that the layoff might have been a good thing? Why don't they say that Kessler's oft injured body has had a much needed rest?

Most importantly why don't these 'experts' see that Kessler is becoming a more aggressive fighter with more bodywork implemented? That is key points!

Kesslers bodywork made tough Brian Magee will in 3 one sided rounds. The same Magee that went 11 competitive rounds with Lucian Bute and Carl Froch. Kessler simply punched through Magee's gut with the same punch that had Froch telling his corner that those bodyshots was f#ucking killing him.

Bodywork was what brought down Mehdi Bouadla. While not exactly an elite fighter it is worth noting that he was durable enough to go the distance with p4p puncher Golovkin. Kessler used him as a yo-yo.

I was in the arena in Herning in 2010. I could see those bodyblows land and I believe I could almost hear them land as well. I could also see how Kesslers left hook almost always landed on the too rare occasions it was thrown. I'm sure that everyone who saw Kesslers fight with Allan Green remembers the chilling left hook finish there. It's a developed weapon. It's a killshot.

So I frankly don't understand the lopsidedness of those expert picks. It should have been 60-40 Froch (because of homefield) at the very most.

Hardly surprising to anyone, I am picking Kessler to win by stoppage. But then again I am no expert.

[Rapid Counter]

Robert Guererro and Brian Magee are stand-outs. They are the only english speakers picking Mikkel Kessler. The rest are picking Froch.

One would think this is a Klitschko fight. That's how onesided those numbers are. It's hard to believe that 95% of the so-called experts are picking against the man who won a close but clear decision in the first fight. Don't let Froch's word avalanche get to you. It was not a case of hometown being decisive. Had the fight not gone to Kessler it would have been a robbery.

A lot of these experts are picking Froch because of his level of opposition since their last fight. While true that the opposition has been formidable I believe the 'experts' are missing the key observations. Those observations being from the fights against Glenn Johnson and André Ward.

Both of these fighters employed the gameplan of pressure to seek victory against Froch. Johnson with succes until he ran out of steam and Ward largely succesfull all the way through despite a broken hand.

The gameplan was what Kessler used to beat Froch the first time. Pressure and bodyshots.

I've seen nothing in Froch's impressive wins against Abraham and Bute to suggest he is better at handling these issues. Abraham is slower than the Lord Nelson statue and Bute froze like a deer in the headlight and was hurt from almost every powershot landed by the Cobra.

So while Froch has been busy, Kessler has been injured. Why doesn't the 'experts' think that the layoff might have been a good thing? Why don't they say that Kessler's oft injured body has had a much needed rest?

Most importantly why don't these 'experts' see that Kessler is becoming a more aggressive fighter with more bodywork implemented? That is key points!

Kesslers bodywork made tough Brian Magee will in 3 one sided rounds. The same Magee that went 11 competitive rounds with Lucian Bute and Carl Froch. Kessler simply punched through Magee's gut with the same punch that had Froch telling his corner that those bodyshots was f#ucking killing him.

Bodywork was what brought down Mehdi Bouadla. While not exactly an elite fighter it is worth noting that he was durable enough to go the distance with p4p puncher Golovkin. Kessler used him as a yo-yo.

I was in the arena in Herning in 2010. I could see those bodyblows land and I believe I could almost hear them land as well. I could also see how Kesslers left hook almost always landed on the too rare occasions it was thrown. I'm sure that everyone who saw Kesslers fight with Allan Green remembers the chilling left hook finish there. It's a developed weapon. It's a killshot.

So I frankly don't understand the lopsidedness of those expert picks. It should have been 60-40 Froch (because of homefield) at the very most.

Hardly surprising to anyone, I am picking Kessler to win by stoppage. But then again I am no expert.

I think they match up pretty well. I think a lot of people bought into the hype of Froch's run in the Super 6 and also they think Kessler is the more shop worn of the two.

We will see what happens in a few hours. I hope Kessler shocks everyone and takes the Cobra out.

WAR KESSLER!!!!!!

[crold1]

Robert Guererro and Brian Magee are stand-outs. They are the only english speakers picking Mikkel Kessler. The rest are picking Froch.

One would think this is a Klitschko fight. That's how onesided those numbers are. It's hard to believe that 95% of the so-called experts are picking against the man who won a close but clear decision in the first fight. Don't let Froch's word avalanche get to you. It was not a case of hometown being decisive. Had the fight not gone to Kessler it would have been a robbery.

A lot of these experts are picking Froch because of his level of opposition since their last fight. While true that the opposition has been formidable I believe the 'experts' are missing the key observations. Those observations being from the fights against Glenn Johnson and André Ward.

Both of these fighters employed the gameplan of pressure to seek victory against Froch. Johnson with succes until he ran out of steam and Ward largely succesfull all the way through despite a broken hand.

The gameplan was what Kessler used to beat Froch the first time. Pressure and bodyshots.

I've seen nothing in Froch's impressive wins against Abraham and Bute to suggest he is better at handling these issues. Abraham is slower than the Lord Nelson statue and Bute froze like a deer in the headlight and was hurt from almost every powershot landed by the Cobra.

So while Froch has been busy, Kessler has been injured. Why doesn't the 'experts' think that the layoff might have been a good thing? Why don't they say that Kessler's oft injured body has had a much needed rest?

Most importantly why don't these 'experts' see that Kessler is becoming a more aggressive fighter with more bodywork implemented? That is key points!

Kesslers bodywork made tough Brian Magee will in 3 one sided rounds. The same Magee that went 11 competitive rounds with Lucian Bute and Carl Froch. Kessler simply punched through Magee's gut with the same punch that had Froch telling his corner that those bodyshots was f#ucking killing him.

Bodywork was what brought down Mehdi Bouadla. While not exactly an elite fighter it is worth noting that he was durable enough to go the distance with p4p puncher Golovkin. Kessler used him as a yo-yo.

I was in the arena in Herning in 2010. I could see those bodyblows land and I believe I could almost hear them land as well. I could also see how Kesslers left hook almost always landed on the too rare occasions it was thrown. I'm sure that everyone who saw Kesslers fight with Allan Green remembers the chilling left hook finish there. It's a developed weapon. It's a killshot.

So I frankly don't understand the lopsidedness of those expert picks. It should have been 60-40 Froch (because of homefield) at the very most.

Hardly surprising to anyone, I am picking Kessler to win by stoppage. But then again I am no expert.

Wouldn't at all be surprised if he won, though a stop doesn't seem the most likely scenario. Froch I was the only fight I ever picked against Kessler. We know how that went.

[dazzlertheboxer]

I think home advantage for Froch will make a difference and should not be underestimated in such a close to call fight. Froch's movement, timing and overall strategy has matured giving the Cobra a missile sense of when and where to strike. It's hard to know what Kessler has left and what he will bring as he has not fought elite opposition for a couple of years.

I want Froch to win; after the Taylor fight who couldn't be a fan?

I think he will.

Win convincingly, then I believe he would destroy Ward with home advantage.

[BattlingNelson]

Wouldn't at all be surprised if he won, though a stop doesn't seem the most likely scenario. Froch I was the only fight I ever picked against Kessler. We know how that went.

Of course this is a close fight on paper. When push comes to shove and 'experts' has to make the pick, they all choose Froch though.

I cannot remember any single matchup in the last several decades where the winner of the first fight gets significantly less backing for the encore than before the first encounter.

[BattlingNelson]

Oh and Cliff. Did you see the weigh-in? I always think the theatrics between two alphamales is entertaining. This was no exception.

According to danish press the dialogue between the fighters was something like this:

MK: "So you are looking to kill me?"
CF: "No. It wasn't meant that way."
MK: "Really? But I am ready to kill you!"

I dont know if it's true obviously, but it got a lol out of me.

[SAJ10]

Robert Guererro and Brian Magee are stand-outs. They are the only english speakers picking Mikkel Kessler. The rest are picking Froch.

One would think this is a Klitschko fight. That's how onesided those numbers are. It's hard to believe that 95% of the so-called experts are picking against the man who won a close but clear decision in the first fight. Don't let Froch's word avalanche get to you. It was not a case of hometown being decisive. Had the fight not gone to Kessler it would have been a robbery.

A lot of these experts are picking Froch because of his level of opposition since their last fight. While true that the opposition has been formidable I believe the 'experts' are missing the key observations. Those observations being from the fights against Glenn Johnson and André Ward.

Both of these fighters employed the gameplan of pressure to seek victory against Froch. Johnson with succes until he ran out of steam and Ward largely succesfull all the way through despite a broken hand.

The gameplan was what Kessler used to beat Froch the first time. Pressure and bodyshots.

I've seen nothing in Froch's impressive wins against Abraham and Bute to suggest he is better at handling these issues. Abraham is slower than the Lord Nelson statue and Bute froze like a deer in the headlight and was hurt from almost every powershot landed by the Cobra.

So while Froch has been busy, Kessler has been injured. Why doesn't the 'experts' think that the layoff might have been a good thing? Why don't they say that Kessler's oft injured body has had a much needed rest?

Most importantly why don't these 'experts' see that Kessler is becoming a more aggressive fighter with more bodywork implemented? That is key points!

Kesslers bodywork made tough Brian Magee will in 3 one sided rounds. The same Magee that went 11 competitive rounds with Lucian Bute and Carl Froch. Kessler simply punched through Magee's gut with the same punch that had Froch telling his corner that those bodyshots was f#ucking killing him.

Bodywork was what brought down Mehdi Bouadla. While not exactly an elite fighter it is worth noting that he was durable enough to go the distance with p4p puncher Golovkin. Kessler used him as a yo-yo.



I was in the arena in Herning in 2010. I could see those bodyblows land and I believe I could almost hear them land as well. I could also see how Kesslers left hook almost always landed on the too rare occasions it was thrown. I'm sure that everyone who saw Kesslers fight with Allan Green remembers the chilling left hook finish there. It's a developed weapon. It's a killshot.

So I frankly don't understand the lopsidedness of those expert picks. It should have been 60-40 Froch (because of homefield) at the very most.

Hardly surprising to anyone, I am picking Kessler to win by stoppage. But then again I am no expert.

I agree with everything you say there and although I am backing Froch - Kessler/Montoya seem relaxed and confident. As this week's gone on I've been more leaning towards Kessler with Froch seeming uptight etc.

Two things that are keeping me swayed towards Froch is that Johnny Nelson claims that Froch was a man possessed in training, unbeliveably fit etc, however, Nelson is notorious for picking wrong so that's never a bad thing if he picks against you.

The second thing that concerns me is Warren's comments re Cleverly's sparring today.

Firstly, Warren should keep his mouth shut until after the fight, that's v bad etiquette and breaks a code if you ask me.

Secondly, as you'll see my thoughts on the thread - you can't always read in sparring, sparring is sparring but it does make me think if Cleverly is that unimpressed whether this is one camp too many for Kessler and just what does he have left?

Tonight, based on ability it could go either way, and we'll soon find out.

[SAJ10]

Oh and Cliff. Did you see the weigh-in? I always think the theatrics between two alphamales is entertaining. This was no exception.

According to danish press the dialogue between the fighters was something like this:

MK: "So you are looking to kill me?"
CF: "No. It wasn't meant that way."
MK: "Really? But I am ready to kill you!"

I dont know if it's true obviously, but it got a lol out of me.

The one thing I thought I could lip read was Kessler saying with serious aggression - 'I'm going to ****ing smash you Carl'

[SAJ10]

If Kessler does pull it off to make it 0-2 against Froch, there will be a lot of people with Egg on their face's