Frank Warren: Cleverly did a job on Kessler in sparring

[BattlingNelson]

Just brace yourself for Lacedup's excuse after the loss. Sure to be comedy gold.

Nothing will ever top your excuses after Dirrell got the DQ win over Abraham. Now THAT was funny.

[LacedUp]

Nothing will ever top your excuses after Dirrell got the DQ win over Abraham. Now THAT was funny.

That guy is on my ignore. Ever since he tried to convince everyone that Malignaggi would school Khan I haven't been taking him seriously.

[BennyST]

Home advantage was critical on that occasion and will prove equally decisive when the gladiators collide for the IBF and WBA super-middleweight belts at London’s O2.

The thing is that the home advantage wasn't critical at all. Kessler would have won that fight anywhere in the world except in Froch's hometown or near. Everywhere else, it would have been what it was rightly considered as, a close but clear decision win by the large majority bar a few vocal Froch supporters. Even Froch happily admitted defeat until well after the fight when he gained his confidence back and had to think otherwise to get back to his best.

[BennyST]

I'm amazed how people are writing Cleverly off.

He probably did batter Kessler around the ring like a rag doll. Look at the size of the guy, his handspeed, his workrate - I bet he looks like a million dollars in sparring. Obviously, it's just sparring and even the greats have been 'battered' in sparring for whatever reason.

That just serves Kessler well. If he has had brutal, difficult sparring against a tall, rangy, young guy with a high workrate and good jab, it should just make it easier.

I always remember when a young Duran said that his sparring sessions were the hardest fights he ever had, because the harder his sparring was, and this was when he was still with Freddie Brown and Ray Arcel, the easier his fight was.

[LacedUp]

The thing is that the home advantage wasn't critical at all. Kessler would have won that fight anywhere in the world except in Froch's hometown or near. Everywhere else, it would have been what it was rightly considered as, a close but clear decision win by the large majority bar a few vocal Froch supporters. Even Froch happily admitted defeat until well after the fight when he gained his confidence back and had to think otherwise to get back to his best.

Good post.

[Scary]

Frank oh Frank...

[Light_Speed]

A lot of people have been saying Kessler was handled in sparring by Groves and Clev, but he has had no marks on his face throughout the build up, whereas the same cannot be said for Froch even though he's been sparring fighters like Callum smith and Tony bellew who lost to Cleverly.

Some of the guys Froch sparred are very mediocre, no wonder he was mad that Kessler got high level sparring partners.

Did you not see the crash helmet kessler was wearing in sparring? Looked like a stormtroopers hat

It's a headgear with cheekbone protection, pretty standard.

I'm amazed how people are writing Cleverly off.

He probably did batter Kessler around the ring like a rag doll. Look at the size of the guy, his handspeed, his workrate - I bet he looks like a million dollars in sparring. Obviously, it's just sparring and even the greats have been 'battered' in sparring for whatever reason.

The same Cleverly that nearly lost to Bellew? And Kessler sparred cruiserweights before, I doubt he was "battered around the ring like a rag doll" by a feather fisted light heavy.

[BoxIsBox]

I really like this

b.bimg.dk/node-images/445/6/604x403-c/6445887-kessler-og-froch-indvejning-bt.jpg

Now we all know the "stare down" or "face to face" or whatever you prefer, is about domination. This picture is from when Kessler confronted Froch with "So...you are going to kill me?" ;o)

Froch looks down and in this situation you basically have to ways of interpret this body language 1. submission or 2. guilt.....I'm happy with both.

Not saying a battle is won from this......but it's good sign imo.

Hope Mikkel puts Carls face in the canvas