by Andrew Fruman

Most viewers that watched Saturday night's Super-Six showdown between Mikkel Kessler and Carl Froch were in agreement that they'd seen a very close fight... and a tough one to score. As did the writers at ringside polled by Showtime, with Michael Enggaard scoring the bout for Kessler by 3 points, and Niall Hickman and Arne Leyenberg having Froch in front by 1 and 2 points respectively. Al Bernstein had Froch by a point, while Antonio Tarver had Kessler winning (although didn't say by what margin).

The Boxing Bulletin's Lee Payton and Bad Left Hook's Scott Christ also had cards reflecting the close nature of the contest, with Lee having Froch up by 1 point (The Boxing Bulletin's recap) and Kessler edging it by 2 on Scott's card (Bad Left Hook's Round by Round coverage) .

The official judges had the fight a little more clear cut, with Kessler winning a fairly comfortable unanimous decision by scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113.

I didn't score the fight live, but as I do for most close fights, I sat down after it was all over and had a second look.  Let's get to my card...

Continue reading this post »

Boxing fans were treated to another fun Saturday night with 3 competitive match-ups involving some of the sport's most exciting fighters.

Showtime kicked things off with a delayed broadcast from Denmark where Mikkel Kessler silenced many of his critics, who called him finished and soft.  He and Great Britain's Carl Froch delivered easily the best fight of the Super Six tournament so far.

Then it was time to switch the channel to HBO. In the opener, a somewhat surprising effort from enigmatic part-time banger Joel Julio made things very interesting for hard man Alfredo Angulo and his backers.  The main-event featured a gutsy Chris Arreola in a tussle with the smaller, but better Tomasz Adamek. The lively crowd in California enhanced what was already the best heavyweight fight in quite some time.

Let's take a look at both shows starting with the battle from Denmark....

Continue reading this post »

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.

Continue reading this post »