Thread: Kessler vs Ward analysis

Only six weeks to the fight

Here is a thorough analysis of how this fight plays out, utilising past fights from Kessler as an example.

The idea that Ward has this remarkable handspeed is frail. He hasn't been in a fighter who is able to counter punch as well as Kessler can.

Kessler made Calzaghe fight a completely different gameplan off the fact that if you try to throw punches in bunches against Kessler, he is very good at creating enough distance to slip in either the right cross, the right uppercut or a very stiff series of jabs.

This made Calzaghe change his gameplan and effectively engage in an outside jabbing contest with Kessler which most people are too ineffective at analysis to see.

Calzaghe going into Round 4 knew he would be in trouble if he kept attempting to land in combination and rely on handspeed - because one thing above all else beats handspeed - Timing. Kessler has impeccable timing.

Ward does not have the game that Calzaghe does to realise this, adapt mid fight and then beat Kessler at a game few people thought before hand he would - jabbing from the outside.

Therefore, this fight comes down to a simple formulae. Can Ward's handspeed and combination punching beat Mikkel's defensive work, timing and impeccable technique.

The simple answer is an 85% No, with a 10% "Maybe for a few rounds, but can he do it late" and a 5% "For the whole fight"

If the Calzaghe fight was not enough to show why Kessler will beat Ward, go back in time to a much better fighter than what Ward is and better physical tools than Ward has, in Anthony Mundine - who Kessler dismantled by, what the class says? Timing.

The few difficulties he had with Mundine will be ironed out these days

Ward's only hope is somehow KO'ing Kessler. This is about as likely as Wladimir Klitschko being KO'ed by De La Hoya.

Originally Posted by jangeorg

Only six weeks to the fight

Here is a thorough analysis of how this fight plays out, utilising past fights from Kessler as an example.

The idea that Ward has this remarkable handspeed is frail. He hasn't been in a fighter who is able to counter punch as well as Kessler can.

Kessler made Calzaghe fight a completely different gameplan off the fact that if you try to throw punches in bunches against Kessler, he is very good at creating enough distance to slip in either the right cross, the right uppercut or a very stiff series of jabs.

This made Calzaghe change his gameplan and effectively engage in an outside jabbing contest with Kessler which most people are too ineffective at analysis to see.

Calzaghe going into Round 4 knew he would be in trouble if he kept attempting to land in combination and rely on handspeed - because one thing above all else beats handspeed - Timing. Kessler has impeccable timing.

Ward does not have the game that Calzaghe does to realise this, adapt mid fight and then beat Kessler at a game few people thought before hand he would - jabbing from the outside.

Therefore, this fight comes down to a simple formulae. Can Ward's handspeed and combination punching beat Mikkel's defensive work, timing and impeccable technique.

The simple answer is an 85% No, with a 10% "Maybe for a few rounds, but can he do it late" and a 5% "For the whole fight"

If the Calzaghe fight was not enough to show why Kessler will beat Ward, go back in time to a much better fighter than what Ward is and better physical tools than Ward has, in Anthony Mundine - who Kessler dismantled by, what the class says? Timing.

The few difficulties he had with Mundine will be ironed out these days

Ward's only hope is somehow KO'ing Kessler. This is about as likely as Wladimir Klitschko being KO'ed by De La Hoya.

Ward will realise within the 1st 30seconds of the fight he is in with somebody 3-4 levels above anything he has ever seen before.

As youve already pointed out wards biggest hope is that his handspeed can somehow trouble kessler and that he can win a couple of rounds early doors and the partizan crowd can make the night hell for kessler.

But he has to deal with a man who is gonna be able to throw far more powerfuller shots than himself, is an unbelievable counter puncher and can adapt himself to a whole variety of different situations. Kessler is one of those rare entitys that can throw you a plan c,d,e if need be.

Ward cant knockout kessler as he simply doesnt have it in his locker. His only hope is to dominate early doors and make life hell for kessler throughout and perhaps take a split decision at the end....wont happen kessler will wear him down and by 4-5 be landing solid hard punches consistently and will have his man out of there by the end of the 10th!!

Ward will throw a lazy jab to the body, Kessler will step and throw a right over the top of it and knock Ward out.

Simple's!

I think Ward will make Kessler work for 3 -4 rounds then Kesslers power will take over.He will land the straight right hand alot more as the rounds pass and take Ward out late or win a comfortable UD imo.

Originally Posted by Jimboogie

Ward will throw a lazy jab to the body, Kessler will step and throw a right over the top of it and knock Ward out.

Simple's!

Like this




Or even better



Goodnight Ward

I think you underestimate Ward's ability and Ward's own jab which is a more dangerous jab then Calzaghe who was able to outjab Kessler as you mentioned.

I don't know how you can say that Calzaghe beat Kessler because he beat him in a jabbing battle on the outside but yet ignore that the jab is one of Wards best weapons that he can throw from orthodox or southpaw.

Fuck me I completely agree with Majesty. I think Kessler is going to get stuck on Ward's jab, honestly. That jab to the body is great too and he does such a good job feinting his shots and keeping his opponents out of rythym, I think he pulls the upset UD and a convincing one. A lot of people say Ward tries to fight like a poor man's RJJ, which that's from early in his career when he was fighting in front of huge crowds for the first time and he just tried to outclass guys with speed. In my opinion, he's much more of a poor man's Bernard Hopkins then a poor man's Jones.

Originally Posted by Majesty

I think you underestimate Ward's ability and Ward's own jab which is a more dangerous jab then Calzaghe who was able to outjab Kessler as you mentioned.

I don't know how you can say that Calzaghe beat Kessler because he beat him in a jabbing battle on the outside but yet ignore that the jab is one of Wards best weapons that he can throw from orthodox or southpaw.

There is nothing Ward has in his game that can offset Kessler and when you have chin difficulties against a precision puncher who WILL find you more than once with a power shot, you're in for a tough night

Also Ward isn't a pure combination puncher in fact the only times he puts together punches is when he knows he is in a fight with someone who he actually shows appropriate respect in the ring. He got clipped I think in the 7th against Miranda with a counter right that drew some oohs and ahs then poured on and didn't give Miranda another opportunity. If he sees you cover up yeah he'll open up but he's not like Andre Dirrell who is a pure combination puncher. Ward is a lot more selective and against Kessler I think he takes advantage of the footspeed difference, takes advantage of angles, uses his feints, his jab and just keeps Kessler guessing. Other times he'll probably try to make Kessler lead but unless the physical tools are just to much, I think Ward takes it 8-4 in a shocker. I think "frustrated" will be the word best applied to Kessler. Ward is a guy nobody would want to fight especially at this point.

Originally Posted by amat

Also Ward isn't a pure combination puncher in fact the only times he puts together punches is when he knows he is in a fight with someone who he actually shows appropriate respect in the ring. He got clipped I think in the 7th against Miranda with a counter right that drew some oohs and ahs then poured on and didn't give Miranda another opportunity. If he sees you cover up yeah he'll open up but he's not like Andre Dirrell who is a pure combination puncher. Ward is a lot more selective and against Kessler I think he takes advantage of the footspeed difference, takes advantage of angles, uses his feints, his jab and just keeps Kessler guessing. Other times he'll probably try to make Kessler lead but unless the physical tools are just to much, I think Ward takes it 8-4 in a shocker. I think "frustrated" will be the word best applied to Kessler. Ward is a guy nobody would want to fight especially at this point.

Andre Wards most difficult opponent to date was Miranda, and that was one of the ugliest fights I have seen all year. Ward threw a punch and clinched/ grabbed and held whenever he could. I don't blame him much for that since Miranda has power and he wanted to negate that but if you think that is going to work on Kessler, you have another thing coming

You know, I do like Kessler, but i'm not 100%.

I say, given Kesslers lay off and his comeback against a piss poor opponent that Ward gives him everything he can handle for atleast 4 - 6 rounds and if Ward can step up the development in his ability a bit more again from the Miranda fight, I say he can go on to win on points. Its all gonna come down to Wards chin for me too, as Kessler will more than likely land with some great shots here and there.... If his chin holds out its plausable to think Ward will win on points for me.... But who knows.

Originally Posted by jangeorg

Originally Posted by amat

Also Ward isn't a pure combination puncher in fact the only times he puts together punches is when he knows he is in a fight with someone who he actually shows appropriate respect in the ring. He got clipped I think in the 7th against Miranda with a counter right that drew some oohs and ahs then poured on and didn't give Miranda another opportunity. If he sees you cover up yeah he'll open up but he's not like Andre Dirrell who is a pure combination puncher. Ward is a lot more selective and against Kessler I think he takes advantage of the footspeed difference, takes advantage of angles, uses his feints, his jab and just keeps Kessler guessing. Other times he'll probably try to make Kessler lead but unless the physical tools are just to much, I think Ward takes it 8-4 in a shocker. I think "frustrated" will be the word best applied to Kessler. Ward is a guy nobody would want to fight especially at this point.

Andre Wards most difficult opponent to date was Miranda, and that was one of the ugliest fights I have seen all year. Ward threw a punch and clinched/ grabbed and held whenever he could. I don't blame him much for that since Miranda has power and he wanted to negate that but if you think that is going to work on Kessler, you have another thing coming

I'm not saying Ward will beat Kessler but Ward's fight against Miranda was not a punch then hold. There was no more holding in that fight than most other fights. Ward fought for 10 rounds with a bad cut in the wrong place and still outboxed Miranda. Ward landed a large percentage of punches to the point where he discouraged Miranda and started backing him up. You might want to re-watch that fight. Ward picked Miranda apart.

Im not sure about this fight, I just have a feeling Ward takes it, Kessler is a decent fighter but some people over rate him a little imo, we still dont know how good Ward is in truth.


If I had to put the house on it id side with Kessler just but I wouldnt be suprised one bit if Ward took it.

Originally Posted by jangeorg

Originally Posted by amat

Also Ward isn't a pure combination puncher in fact the only times he puts together punches is when he knows he is in a fight with someone who he actually shows appropriate respect in the ring. He got clipped I think in the 7th against Miranda with a counter right that drew some oohs and ahs then poured on and didn't give Miranda another opportunity. If he sees you cover up yeah he'll open up but he's not like Andre Dirrell who is a pure combination puncher. Ward is a lot more selective and against Kessler I think he takes advantage of the footspeed difference, takes advantage of angles, uses his feints, his jab and just keeps Kessler guessing. Other times he'll probably try to make Kessler lead but unless the physical tools are just to much, I think Ward takes it 8-4 in a shocker. I think "frustrated" will be the word best applied to Kessler. Ward is a guy nobody would want to fight especially at this point.

Andre Wards most difficult opponent to date was Miranda, and that was one of the ugliest fights I have seen all year. Ward threw a punch and clinched/ grabbed and held whenever he could. I don't blame him much for that since Miranda has power and he wanted to negate that but if you think that is going to work on Kessler, you have another thing coming

That is crazy talk. Ward boxed beautifully in that fight and beat Miranda his own way that night. He showed he can box in orthodox and southpaw stance and be comfortable. Your analysis of the fight is quite biased to say the least and its ok considering Kessler is your guy, but to write off Ward is a big mistake. He has a great amateur career, gold medalist, I think he has only been down once in his career so his chin is not an issue. I am taking Ward with this fight and any other. Ward can and will box Kessler all night, if Kessler wants to be the aggressor I am sure Andre will be just as happy taking the steps back, he showed that in part of the Miranda fight as well. The only person I see giving Ward problems is Taylor

I guess my main question is what are you going to do if Andre outclasses your man??

I also find it funny how when people talk about Kessler's best performance most usually say it was with Joe, a loss.

Originally Posted by Jimboogie

Ward will throw a lazy jab to the body, Kessler will step and throw a right over the top of it and knock Ward out.

Simple's!

"Simple's" lmao