Weekend Preview: Kessler vs Froch, Adamek vs Arreola & Angulo vs Julio
Michael Nelson previews a big Saturday of boxing featuring shows on Showtime and HBO.
We've got a full slate of action on Saturday, with three tasty entrees to round out an excellent month of fights.
Mikkel Kessler vs. Carl Froch
Those thus far disappointed in the Super Six project are looking at this fight to breathe life into the groundbreaking tournament. Questions swirl around whether Kessler is on the downside of his career after Andre Ward's surprisingly dominant victory over him last November. If he is, Froch has the tools to shove him out of final four contention.
Certainly, the 31 year old Dame was taken out of his element by Ward's rough tactics - namely, Andre billy goating his way inside. Roughing a fighter up and breaking his will is Froch's game. But Andre's speed and elusiveness were the primary keys to Kessler's deconstruction, two weapons that are missing from Carl's arsenal.
What has been prevalent throughout the Brit's rise to the top of the division is uncompromising volition, strong workrate, and an underrated jab. Though Kessler's jab is a bit better, Froch should be able to hold his own in that department. But Mikkel's edge in hand speed and defense makes winning a decision in Denmark a tough task. Froch can trounce those definciencies by reenacting his dramatic win over Jermain Taylor, in which he broke down a more polished fighter after a shaky start.
But Kessler doesn't have Jermain's tendency to fade late in fights. I expect redemption for the former WBA champ, via a convincing 116-112 decision.
Tomasz Adamek vs. Chris Arreola
On paper, it's one of the better heavyweight matchups in recent memory. Adamek has heart, power, and likes to throw in combination. Arreola has heart, power, and likes to throw in combination. In this dismal division, it's rare that you get two men that possessess all three qualities pitted against each other.
As with Joel Julio (see preview below), Adamek will slide around the ring, but he's much more frugal in his movement. He'll look to counter a charging Arreola with short left hooks and right hands in between Arreola's wider punches. And given that Travis Walker was able to stun and drop Chris, there's little doubt that the Polish sharp-shooter is capable of doing the same.
But while his footwork against Jason Estrada two and a half months ago was effective for most of the fight, how often Adamek moved and held down the stretch against a relatively light-punching fighter is a point of concern. He became visibly bothered by flush overhand rights as fatigue started to take its grip over him. Will he be able to handle the more active and heavy-handed Arreola if he wore down against Estrada?
I have my doubts. Chris weighed in at 250 pounds; far from optimal, but probably good enough to apply steady pressure through 12 rounds. I see drama abound, but in the end Arreola's size and power will prove too much to overcome.
Alfredo Angulo vs. Joel Julio
If Joel's fight with James Kirkland is any indication, he will be the fourth consecutive Angulo opponent with a strategy revolving around movement.
That's not good news for Julio fans.
Against Kirkland, his footwork was inefficient and frenetic, as he hopped around the ring like a gimpy Gazelle looking to pick spots that came few and far between. He found some success when he settled in the pocket and traded, but James simply overpowered him. In the end, he was stopped in six largely one-sided rounds.
Kirkland certainly has faster feet and hands than Angulo. But Alfredo's plodding pressure is ear-popping for someone who isn't accustomed to moving around. To give himself his best chance, Julio will have to find a middle ground between skittering along the ropes and engaging in all-out war. Standing enough ground to shoot combinations before spinning the 27 year old Mexican slugger would be something close to a winning strategy. I'm just not confident that young Julio has the talent to do that consistently.
If Joel ditches the Kirkland gameplan and goes back to being the banger that made him a highly-touted prospect, we'll have a fun opener to HBO's doubleheader. Either way, I feel Angulo's too big, too strong, and too determined, and see him ending the proceedings in the middle rounds.
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Comments
The fight that's coming up that intrigues me most in the tournament is Ward-Dirrell
I doubt it will be a super entertaining fight, but it should be like watching a really skilled chess match. I’m also looking forward to Froch-Abraham.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
And I agree with you on all three pitcks
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

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