Mikkel Kessler vs Andre Ward Predictions
by The Boxing Bulletin on Nov 21, 2009 12:36 PM EST
in Predictions
8 comments
The final first round match-up of the Super Six takes place tonight at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California with Danish star Mikkel Kessler pitted against 2004 Olympic gold medal winner Andre Ward.
The fighters weighed in yesterday with Kessler coming in at 167 and Ward a 1/2 pound lighter at 167.5.
Here's how the Boxing Bulletin writers see it...
| Jeff Pryor (Kessler) |
"Should be an interesting matchup between experience, will and skills. I think Kessler will be able to outdo a hard charging Ward who will make a good account of himself and have moments in a fight that should be pretty competitive throughout. I see Kessler's power to be an important factor and I think his experience in big fights, particularly the Calzaghe bout, will help him bank rounds and pull out the fight." |
| Mark Lyons (Ward) | "I think Ward is the superior athlete and the more versatile fighter. My main concern is how he will take Kessler's right hand, but I think he is faster and better defensively. That and the home town aspect enable him to pull out a razor close decision in the first upset of the super 6." |
| Michael Nelson (Kessler) | "I figure Ward has the skills and quickness to hang with Kessler, but I still don't trust his chin. I think Mikkel will catch him and finish him late in an otherwise even fight. Kessler by TKO in 9." |
| Lee Payton (Kessler) |
"So far The Super Six tournament has featured competitive but awkward match-ups and I think we are in for the same in this case. I say that because Ward is the stylistic opposite of the opponents Kessler has shined against. His speed of hand and foot will make him a difficult target. However, the younger man has never fought on this level before and Kessler doesn't leave many openings for counters. I'll take the Dane to win a decision that is closer on the cards than it should be. It's just hard to see Ward getting much done offensively and I think Kessler's more professional delivery will be enough in a slow fight." |
| Andrew Fruman (Kessler) | "Kessler's my pick to win it all - and I think he'll take care of Ward decisively. I see him steadily edging forward, cutting off the ring and eventually timing Ward's attempts to get in and out quickly. At some point he'll land a right hand that ends Ward's night." |
| Bad Left Hook's Scott Christ (Kessler) |
"I think Andre Ward is the real deal. I think Andre Dirrell is the real deal. But like Dirrell, Ward is not just moving up in class, but massively so. Mikkel Kessler is the top 168-pound fighter on the planet for my money, and while Ward has been active, the names of Esteban Camou, Jerson Ravelo, "Sugar Poo" Buchanan, Shelby Pudwill and even Edison Miranda just don't strike me as proper preparation for Kessler. I'm also not saying Ward isn't so good that he might be able to leap right into a fight like this and succeed. He shouldn't be counted out. But I'm guessing Kessler is just too strong, too savvy, and too good for Ward on this night. Later on down the line (and not too far down), that may well not be the case. Kessler by decision." (check out Scott's preview of Kessler vs Ward) |
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The Cruelest Sport's Carlos Acevedo (Kessler) |
"Speed, youth, and natural talent all belong to Ward, who has the potential to put it all together tomorrow night, but right now Kessler is the proven commodity. It is up to Ward to shift gears from AA ball to the major leagues. Kessler, by a very slim margin over twelve, although an upset is real possibility." (check out Carlos' preview of Kessler vs Ward) |
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Ivan Montiel (Ward) |
"I hope Kessler can catch up to Ward, but I see Ward running around the ring countering his shots then getting back out to avoid heavy damage. I say Ward wins by UD." |
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Nice summary of the picks… well done.
I got Kessler with a UD and going away. Ward has never faced a guy who sits down on his punches like Kessler. Kessler has almost walked into fire and brimstone in 60K in Wales so I doubt that he gets intimidated with 10K in Oakland.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
#1. Its going to be at least 20K, because Goossen said they were going to open up the upper bowl. Last fight in May, it was closed and there was over 10K, so I’m assuming closer to 20.
#2. Ward isn’t going into this fight looking to trade shots with Kessler, so how much power he puts on his punches doesn’t really matter. What matters is if he can land those punches, I’m hoping not.
#3. I’m assuming standard ring size, this should be interesting. Does Ward attack and put pressure on, ala Calzaghe, or does he over respect Kessler’s power and get on his bike?
This fight is going to be awesome and I might not have a voice afterwards. Lots of smack talking to the danes I’m attending the fight with.
ward’s quickness is gonna give kessler problems… kessler will get beat to the punch and not be able to respond, i’m predicting a resounding boxing clinic put on by ward 12 rd UD
Was correct
I don’t have much of a voice afterwards. Ward’s quickness and I would say gamplan were really the difference in this fight. Quickness alone did not cause this victory, I have to give it up to Virgil Hunter on this one, the man knew how to frustrate Kessler. From the first couple of exchanges Kessler looked angry. Not mad angry but peeved, like when you have a small stone in your sock. This kind of frustration continued all night long. I haven’t seen the post-fight interview, but form what I have heard about it, it seems like some of that frustration spilled over into that medium.
And I was very wrong...
Kessler was far from sharp, but I underrated Ward. He’s a much better fighter than I gave him credit for. Not a fan of some of his tactics, especially the reckless head work, but he might just be the class of the division.
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