Calzaghe-Kessler on HBO (Not PPV)

The fight is shown live on HBO at SATURDAY NOVEMBER 3, 2007 AT 5:00 PM ET/2:00 PM PT AND 10:30 PM ET/PT (REPLAY)

And a new Interview with Kessler aswell ; enjoy

http://www.hbo.com/boxing/fighters/k...ikkel/bio.html

MIKKEL KESSLER
Fighter Bio | Discuss

updated August 23, 2007

"Ever since I started up my very first boxing lessons I always dreamt of reaching the ultimate heights of the ring career: To conquer all the big guys and reigning champs of your class one by one to be hailed as the greatest -- the proud "Undisputed".

That's just why I never hesitated to call out Calzaghe immediately after knocking out Markus Beyer last year adding his WBC belt to my WBA regency. When I've blown out all Cardiff lights including Joe's on November 3 at the Millennium the entire world of boxing will definitely declare Super Middleweight as Kessler's Kingdom ..."

Denmark's popular WBA & WBC World Champion and Sportsman of the Year 2006 Mikkel "The Viking Warrior" Kessler is anxiously lining up to his greatest moment of life so far -- the tremendous winner-takes-it-all Unification clash against his longtime super middleweight super-rival and motivator Joe Calzaghe.

Even long time before winning the WBA World Title against Puerto Rican Manny Siaca Jr. back in November 2004 Kessler had targeted his eyes at the the name Joe Calzaghe, but several attempts to approach the Welsh Super Middlewight Superstar failed until this summer.

"Calzaghe already maintained WBO's Crown as I made my pro debut on March 1998, so I've always felt Joe's spirit present somewhere out there. Finally time and things now have luckily matured into this confrontation, which I really have been chasing most eagerly during so many years," Great Dane Kessler, 28, underlines. Growing up in the very heart of Copenhagen just a few hundred yards from the world famous amusement and pleasure park Tivoli Gardens youngster Kessler tackled a handfull different sports before entering the boxing ring as an early teenager.

"At that time I never saw myself as some bright or extraordinary talent of nature on the canvas, not at all, but I always was very hard-working and narrowly focused on trying to develope my skills among the other guys.

I still remember that they often laughed at me claiming that the only thing I was ever going to win would be experience ...," Kessler recalls.

Nevertheless the youngest edition of Mikkel Kessler managed to establish a glorious amatuer career by conquering every of his 47 opponents but three. 16 years old Kessler triumphed with his goldmedal and title at the European Youth Championships in Turkey and just turned 19 he celebrated his pro debut with Team Palle by knocking out American Kelly Mays.

After stopping seven of his first ten foes an American agent spontaneously named the talented Danish upcomer as the new "De La Hoya of Europe".

Over the next years manager Bettina Palle continued to step up Mikkel Kessler's record systematically and strongly but without anticipating the big events in front.

"I guess my big breakthrough in highlevel business came with my convincing battle in November 2002 against former South African World Champion Dingaan Thobela when I took IBA's and my very first pro title," Kessler says.

Still just 23 years old Mikkel Kessler found himself presenting a splendid record of 30-0 including 22 stoppages.

Again in his next fight he improved his status in the world ratings by knocking out former WBO and Steve Collins contender, American Craig Cummings, to become new WBC International Champion. A title Kessler easily managed to emphasize and defend against Henry Porras, Julio Cesar Green and André Thysse.

In Autumn 2004 Mikkel Kessler was preparing himself for a new important step up opportunity, as gym fellow Mads Larsen injured himself in his Florida trainingscamp and had to pull out of his planned Copenhagen title shot with newly crowned WBA World Champion Manny Siaca Jr.

Promoter Bettina Palle instantly grabbed the chance to put in her highly ranked Mikkel Kessler for Larsen, and Kessler fullfilled this opportune project with a very sharp performance and a highlighting eight round stoppage of the Puerto Rican. Another risky project was awating Denmark's new WBA Champ and national hero -- Australian mandatory challenger Anthony Mundine on his Sydney turf. Due to injury problems with his back the Dane had to postpone his first title defence one month. And even still 60-70 percent from his maximum Mikkel Kessler took a strong physical control and defeated Mundine with a convincing and spectacular 116-112, 117-113, 120-108 decision.

"When having climbed the final steps to the World Title you have to saddle mentally again to prevent yourself from feeling too good and too comfortable. At once as new champ you must aim at new and even bigger targets and challenges. If not you'll very soon stagger and stagnate and put yourself out of game.

Just one thing is better than being a champ: To be celebrated as a double or triple champion! That's the reason why immedately after my WBA title win I began to call out the other reigning super middle kings -- Calzaghe, Beyer and at that time also Jeff Lacy," Mikkel Kessler adds.

His devastating ten round punishment of former Canadian WBC World Champion Eric Lucas in January 2006 prepared the road for the biggest show and event ever in the history of Danish boxing: The unification megafight against German WBC titlist Markus Beyer last October at the Danish national soccer arena of Copenhagen.

The highly exposed world title shot turned out to be a very short chapter: In round three Mikkel Kessler exploded and landed his right hammer on the German's chin and left the dazed Beyer unable to beat the count.

In his latest action last March Denmark's Double World Champion lined up against the mandatory WBC contender, also undefeated Nevada-Mexican Librado Andrade, but from the first bell Kessler dominated the hard fought duel decisioning his guest 120-108 by all judges.

"Andrade came with his toughest arms, and actually I don't thrust Joe Calzaghe to possess same depths of power. The Welsh always maintains his fast handspeed, but in my opinion this speed is mostly without any punching effort, especially when it comes to challenge an opponent of my class and capacity," Kessler provokes.

Early July the Danish WBA & WBC Champ started his Cardiff preparations from his brand new Mediterranean headquarter at Monte Carlo with his fitness coach Thomas Macon.

"Already my physical shape is more than sufficient, because in June we began working for Warren's September date. With four months now to go I've got plenty of time to nurse all the details that'll get Calzaghe's empire to its fall at the Millennium.

I don't need to use or respond to all Calzaghe's surprisingly aggresive words and kind of communication. I accept November 3 to be the biggest challenge of my boxing career so far -- no more, no less -- but on the other hand I don't suspect Calzaghe necessarily to become my toughest opponent.

I know how to destroy WBO's reigning Champion, how to conquer him and how to strip him of his ten year regency. Trust me! From November 4 2007 the boxing world will quite automatically identify and acknowledge Super Middleweight as Kessler's Kingdom ...!" announces Denmark's World Champ and KO Ace of the same name.

good i'm glag for this, and strangley its for kessler...

i think its to late for Joe, i believe he can win, but i think it will be close, and this being on HBO will hopefully propel mikkel on to the american stage... he has what it to go there...

if joe is oging to hit the us now it will be agasint someone like hopkins or taylor or dawson, and win he wont get any credit...

so aslong as mikkel doesnt ge't lacy'd or wins this being on hbo will be superb for him, coz he can go on to destroy taylor, or anyone at lhw...

after taylor-pavlik now calzaghe-kessler & both not on PPV wow HBO is really coming through coz I would have paid for both of these fights

No shit we all would've......great news !

Awesome for me, Nov. 3rd is my birthday, so thanks HBO, now I don't have to buy my birthday present ;D

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Originally Posted by chamiley

after taylor-pavlik now calzaghe-kessler & both not on PPV wow HBO is really coming through coz I would have paid for both of these fights

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Agreed!

I hold nothing against Kessler but I'm really pulling for Calzaghe.

Is it on itv in the UK ??

Calzaghe for me. O0

I like Kessler, but it's real hard to bet against Calzaghe.

I'll take a boxer over a puncher 9 times out of 10.

Thats cool, it should be a great great fight. Truthfully it wouldn't sell that much over here in the USA becus only hardcore fans know who these guys are, I'll be surprised if it isn't PPV in Europe though, its gonna be huge over there. I'll be pullin for Kessler, I can not stand Calzaghe.

Kessler's in his prime. He has some kind of back injuries so he avoids time-waster fights and tries to take lucrative matches/fights that count. Joe hasn't faced many long-range boxers. I think Joe finds himself out of range and, frustrated by the 4th round, he starts waving his right arm about as he does and throwing his left from out of range, falling from southpaw to orthodox. He does that and Kessler picks him to pieces

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Originally Posted by jangeorg

Kessler's in his prime. He has some kind of back injuries so he avoids time-waster fights and tries to take lucrative matches/fights that count. Joe hasn't faced many long-range boxers. I think Joe finds himself out of range and, frustrated by the 4th round, he starts waving his right arm about as he does and throwing his left from out of range, falling from southpaw to orthodox. He does that and Kessler picks him to pieces

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True but Kessler has never met anyone like Calzaghe with his speed and workrate only guy that is similar to Kessler who Calzaghe has fought is Woodhall and Veit and there not that similar really.

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Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

Is it on itv in the UK ??

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Setanta Sports have it mate

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Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

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Originally Posted by jangeorg

Kessler's in his prime. He has some kind of back injuries so he avoids time-waster fights and tries to take lucrative matches/fights that count. Joe hasn't faced many long-range boxers. I think Joe finds himself out of range and, frustrated by the 4th round, he starts waving his right arm about as he does and throwing his left from out of range, falling from southpaw to orthodox. He does that and Kessler picks him to pieces

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True but Kessler has never met anyone like Calzaghe with his speed and workrate only guy that is similar to Kessler who Calzaghe has fought is Woodhall and Veit and there not that similar really.

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I agree,Calzaghe is the best Kessler has fought ,, Joe has an old Eubanks and a few fringe fighters like Brewer Shieka who like most were past their best , people say Kesslers resume is no good , well he is only starting to be known and has unified two belts and going for his third , Joes had it for 10 yrs an fought two mandatory and a bunch of middleweights , time for Joe to move over and a new generation of champ to take over

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Originally Posted by frozensolid_702

I like Kessler, but it's real hard to bet against Calzaghe.

I'll take a boxer over a puncher 9 times out of 10.

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If either of these fighters has better boxing technique its Kessler.

Dont know how you think that.....I think Kessler is a bit static and compared to Calzaghe is
sloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow....Joe wins this easy for me

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Originally Posted by eagle

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Originally Posted by frozensolid_702

I like Kessler, but it's real hard to bet against Calzaghe.

I'll take a boxer over a puncher 9 times out of 10.

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If either of these fighters has better boxing technique its Kessler.

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I really fail to see how you could come to that conclusion?

Calzaghe can get involved in a scrap but I have seen him school several fighters. No way Kessler is a better boxer, banger yes, boxer no

I dont really think Kessler is that much of a banger to be honest, could be wrong but i think he has decent power but he aint no KO artist.

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Originally Posted by skel1983

I dont really think Kessler is that much of a banger to be honest, could be wrong but i think he has decent power but he aint no KO artist.

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Yeah

I don't understand where this "Kessler is a monster puncher" came from

Must be based on the KO of shot old-man final big payday Beyer........

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Originally Posted by Fenster

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Originally Posted by skel1983

I dont really think Kessler is that much of a banger to be honest, could be wrong but i think he has decent power but he aint no KO artist.

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Yeah

I don't understand where this "Kessler is a monster puncher" came from

Must be based on the KO of shot old-man final big payday Beyer........

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Kessler is very orthodox and doesnt have the all round skills that Joe has. Joe can box or else mix it up if that isnt enough.

Kesslers "power" will not be a deciding factor here. ;D

Kessler is a master of the fundamentals, moving in and out 1-2 1-2
He is a great boxer, I think at this point he is probably stronger than Calzaghe
but Joe's speed and lateral movement will prove to be too much for Mikkel.
I want Kessler to win and he has a better chance than anyone else
at 168, but JC will just be too much.

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Originally Posted by miles

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Originally Posted by Fenster

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Originally Posted by skel1983

I dont really think Kessler is that much of a banger to be honest, could be wrong but i think he has decent power but he aint no KO artist.

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Yeah

I don't understand where this "Kessler is a monster puncher" came from

Must be based on the KO of shot old-man final big payday Beyer........

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Kessler is very orthodox and doesnt have the all round skills that Joe has. Joe can box or else mix it up if that isnt enough.

Kesslers "power" will not be a deciding factor here. ;D

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Kessler definitely has power but he is no KO artist.. i'd consider him a good technical boxer, nothing above average, but much more powerful than Joe.. Let's face it, if Sakio Bika's roundhouse wide-azz hooks threw Calzaghe off a little, Kesslers crisp shots WILL connect and drop Joe. Not to say that Joe isn't a tough guy and can't take a punch but lets face it, we haven't seen him fight this high of a class of boxer possibly ever.. Lacy didn't even hit him with anything so we can't really judge his chin at this point and age in his career.

Everyone seems to forget the class Joe has faced and the punches he has taken before ...
i dint think kessler has anything to put Joe down He's got a chin like iron.Lacy caught him flush a few
times in there fight and Joe just stared him down...now you tell me Kess punches Harder than Lacy ....

When Joe was put down by Mitchell ..punches dont get much sweeter than that ..Joe was up on his feet and flurrying in seconds....

and before anyone mentions kabery watch the fight Joe just gets pissed off cos he gettin head butted
loses his compusure and goes skitzo .....

He will be 110% focus against Kess...

saying this Joe wont knock out kess either i dont think...But i dont think this fight will be close.Not at all..

Another thing ill mention weve all seen Joe when he is hurt...you know what happens 8)

Make's me laugh when Calzaghe's chin get's questioned...mind you a lot of people seem to think Calzaghe's career started with Lacy

The question should be - what happens when Calzaghe starts lumping Kessler?

Got a feeling Kessler and his supporters may be in for a nasty surprise. ;)

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Originally Posted by RP33

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Originally Posted by miles

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Originally Posted by Fenster

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Originally Posted by skel1983

I dont really think Kessler is that much of a banger to be honest, could be wrong but i think he has decent power but he aint no KO artist.

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Yeah

I don't understand where this "Kessler is a monster puncher" came from

Must be based on the KO of shot old-man final big payday Beyer........

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Kessler is very orthodox and doesnt have the all round skills that Joe has. Joe can box or else mix it up if that isnt enough.

Kesslers "power" will not be a deciding factor here. ;D

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Kessler definitely has power but he is no KO artist.. i'd consider him a good technical boxer, nothing above average, but much more powerful than Joe.. Let's face it, if Sakio Bika's roundhouse wide-azz hooks threw Calzaghe off a little, Kesslers crisp shots WILL connect and drop Joe. Not to say that Joe isn't a tough guy and can't take a punch but lets face it, we haven't seen him fight this high of a class of boxer possibly ever.. Lacy didn't even hit him with anything so we can't really judge his chin at this point and age in his career.

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I disagree completely. Calzaghe has been in with bigger punchers than Kessler and beaten them ALL convincingly. Bika was dirty and Calzaghe was completely off his game. Kessler is much more orthodox than Bika at any rate. Which plays more into the hands of a motivated Calzaghe.

You need to look into Calzaghes resume. His chin is the last thing to be questioned.

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Originally Posted by Fenster

Make's me laugh when Calzaghe's chin get's questioned...mind you a lot of people seem to think Calzaghe's career started with Lacy

The question should be - what happens when Calzaghe starts lumping Kessler?

Got a feeling Kessler and his supporters may be in for a nasty surprise. ;)

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A few things could be learned from the Lacy fight.

Calzaghe is a real champ.

Talking bullshit about a fighter you know to little about, can come back to haunt you.

Some of Calzaghe`s(you) fans missed the last one

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Originally Posted by miles

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Originally Posted by RP33

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Originally Posted by miles

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Originally Posted by Fenster

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Originally Posted by skel1983

I dont really think Kessler is that much of a banger to be honest, could be wrong but i think he has decent power but he aint no KO artist.

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Yeah

I don't understand where this "Kessler is a monster puncher" came from

Must be based on the KO of shot old-man final big payday Beyer........

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Kessler is very orthodox and doesnt have the all round skills that Joe has. Joe can box or else mix it up if that isnt enough.

Kesslers "power" will not be a deciding factor here. ;D

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Kessler definitely has power but he is no KO artist.. i'd consider him a good technical boxer, nothing above average, but much more powerful than Joe.. Let's face it, if Sakio Bika's roundhouse wide-azz hooks threw Calzaghe off a little, Kesslers crisp shots WILL connect and drop Joe. Not to say that Joe isn't a tough guy and can't take a punch but lets face it, we haven't seen him fight this high of a class of boxer possibly ever.. Lacy didn't even hit him with anything so we can't really judge his chin at this point and age in his career.

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I disagree completely. Calzaghe has been in with bigger punchers than Kessler and beaten them ALL convincingly. Bika was dirty and Calzaghe was completely off his game. Kessler is much more orthodox than Bika at any rate. Which plays more into the hands of a motivated Calzaghe.

You need to look into Calzaghes resume. His chin is the last thing to be questioned.

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Wow.. did you even read what i wrote?????????

I didn't say that Kessler is the biggest puncher Calzaghe has faced, so you saying you 'disagree completely' and supporting that with 'Calzaghe has been in with bigger punchers than Kessler' has no relevance.. because i didn't say that he hasn't been in the ring with bigger punchers. ???

Anyway, i agree that the best JC didn't show up for the Bika fight, but Bika's style is kinda crazy so.. I also said QUOTE: 'Not to say Joe isn't a tough guy or can't take a punch' I've watched his fights, I've seen him take some good shots and make it look like it was a mosquito biting him, i'm not saying he has a glass chin or anything man.. All i'm saying is that Lacy BARELY got any good shots in because JC clearly outclassed him the whole fight. Now Kessler doesn't hit as hard as Lacy but Kess's punches are crisp and if he continues to catch Joe with them then he is going to drop. I don't deny that Joe can 100% outbox Kessler, but Kess is much more of a BOXER than Lacy and will not just walk into Joe's flurries without his hands up, and throw bombs hoping to connect like Lacy did. This fight is a toss up for me, but i'd like to see Kess win by KO.

I predict that if and when Calzaghe gets close to Kessler, Kessler can get hurt, but if Kessler keeps his distance his shot are so accurate that I think he can take Calzaghe out. But I also respect that every time Calzaghe has been hurt he goes nuts ;D

I am clapping my fat little flippers in excitement about this fight :bounce:

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Originally Posted by Tins06

Dont know how you think that.....I think Kessler is a bit static and compared to Calzaghe is
sloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow....Joe wins this easy for me

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I think Joe is really up against it this time. He's fighting a guy who isn't two years past his best(not like most of joe`s opponent) . Who hasn't had the disappointment of defeat. Who isn't a guy that has to make do with shit money and come over as the opponent. Who's had competitive rounds. Who has two good arms (Woodhall landed better punches tha anyone on Joe yet his right arm was badly injured). Who dominates most of his own fights at world level.

You should be worried

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Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

Is it on itv in the UK ??

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Setanta, I think

setanta is only £10 a month now and that is with no minimum contract, so not all bad. That's a month of footie for free too.

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Originally Posted by frozensolid_702

I like Kessler, but it's real hard to bet against Calzaghe.

I'll take a boxer over a puncher 9 times out of 10.

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So would I, but Kessler is not only a puncher, but also a very talented and fast boxer, so my bet is for Kessler.

Regards,
Bille

yeas

feel like crying

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Originally Posted by miles

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Originally Posted by Fenster

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Originally Posted by skel1983

I dont really think Kessler is that much of a banger to be honest, could be wrong but i think he has decent power but he aint no KO artist.

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Yeah

I don't understand where this "Kessler is a monster puncher" came from

Must be based on the KO of shot old-man final big payday Beyer........

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Kessler is very orthodox and doesnt have the all round skills that Joe has. Joe can box or else mix it up if that isnt enough.

Kesslers "power" will not be a deciding factor here. ;D

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From November 4 2007 the boxing world will quite automatically identify and acknowledge Super Middleweight as Kessler's Kingdom ;D

Oh well...HBO's done it to me once again...two of my fav's going toe to toe...& hell nah I aint pickin' the winner...but it'll probably be Joe.

I'd be disappointed with anything other than a draw!

True dat!

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Originally Posted by RP33

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Originally Posted by miles

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Originally Posted by RP33

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Originally Posted by miles

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Originally Posted by Fenster

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Originally Posted by skel1983

I dont really think Kessler is that much of a banger to be honest, could be wrong but i think he has decent power but he aint no KO artist.

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Yeah

I don't understand where this "Kessler is a monster puncher" came from

Must be based on the KO of shot old-man final big payday Beyer........

---

Kessler is very orthodox and doesnt have the all round skills that Joe has. Joe can box or else mix it up if that isnt enough.

Kesslers "power" will not be a deciding factor here. ;D

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Kessler definitely has power but he is no KO artist.. i'd consider him a good technical boxer, nothing above average, but much more powerful than Joe.. Let's face it, if Sakio Bika's roundhouse wide-azz hooks threw Calzaghe off a little, Kesslers crisp shots WILL connect and drop Joe. Not to say that Joe isn't a tough guy and can't take a punch but lets face it, we haven't seen him fight this high of a class of boxer possibly ever.. Lacy didn't even hit him with anything so we can't really judge his chin at this point and age in his career.

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I disagree completely. Calzaghe has been in with bigger punchers than Kessler and beaten them ALL convincingly. Bika was dirty and Calzaghe was completely off his game. Kessler is much more orthodox than Bika at any rate. Which plays more into the hands of a motivated Calzaghe.

You need to look into Calzaghes resume. His chin is the last thing to be questioned.

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Wow.. did you even read what i wrote?????????

I didn't say that Kessler is the biggest puncher Calzaghe has faced, so you saying you 'disagree completely' and supporting that with 'Calzaghe has been in with bigger punchers than Kessler' has no relevance.. because i didn't say that he hasn't been in the ring with bigger punchers. ???

Anyway, i agree that the best JC didn't show up for the Bika fight, but Bika's style is kinda crazy so.. I also said QUOTE: 'Not to say Joe isn't a tough guy or can't take a punch' I've watched his fights, I've seen him take some good shots and make it look like it was a mosquito biting him, i'm not saying he has a glass chin or anything man.. All i'm saying is that Lacy BARELY got any good shots in because JC clearly outclassed him the whole fight. Now Kessler doesn't hit as hard as Lacy but Kess's punches are crisp and if he continues to catch Joe with them then he is going to drop. I don't deny that Joe can 100% outbox Kessler, but Kess is much more of a BOXER than Lacy and will not just walk into Joe's flurries without his hands up, and throw bombs hoping to connect like Lacy did. This fight is a toss up for me, but i'd like to see Kess win by KO.

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I will disagree again. I dont think, as you put it, "a good technical skill boxer, nothing above avarage, but much more powerful than Joe" can beat Calzaghe. It needs an exceptional fighter and there is really nothing to suggest to me that Kessler is exceptional. He is good and has beaten solid fighters, but Calzaghe has beaten better and has the better all round ability to alter his game to the fighter in hand. Expect the figher.

This will be a competitive fight but Calzaghe is going to pull away when the pace and pressure gets too much.

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Originally Posted by jangeorg

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Originally Posted by Fenster

Make's me laugh when Calzaghe's chin get's questioned...mind you a lot of people seem to think Calzaghe's career started with Lacy

The question should be - what happens when Calzaghe starts lumping Kessler?

Got a feeling Kessler and his supporters may be in for a nasty surprise. ;)

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A few things could be learned from the Lacy fight.

Calzaghe is a real champ.

Talking bullshit about a fighter you know to little about, can come back to haunt you.

Some of Calzaghe`s(you) fans missed the last one

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Are you saying I'M talking bullshit about Kessler? If so, show me where. Thanks.

will this be on the setanta ppv over the net again like the Hatton Castillo fight? I thought that was a reall yclever idea, at a great price but u kinda missed pro commentary.