Kessler's very flawed performance against Carl Froch-

I enjoyed Kessler/Froch the other night but I had HUGE issues with Kessler's performance, although guttsy.

Granted, I had a bit to drink the other night but I don't know what the hell he was doing for most of the fight. For one, he constantly moved to his left putting him in possition to get cracked my right hands... Two, his hands were constantly at chest level lacking his normal defensive prowess... and Three, with his hands at his chest he was hit with regularity for 12 rounds with a FUCKING up-jab from a guy like Froch who is not known for blinding speed.

Although the fight was crowd pleasing and I enjoyed myself, Kessler's performance was far from spectacular. He made the fight difficult on himself by ignoring text book shit...

I wasn't listening to his corner cuz I had alot of people over my house but I would have been screaming at him that this is fucking amatuer shit he's doing...

Anyway, Hell, I think Green will give him a run for his money after that highly flawed performance. I like Kessler but all the king's shoulders and all the kings men won't be able to put Kessler together again.

I think he's falling out of favor as the favorite. He definitley has in my eyes.

Couldn't agree more and Tarver had even pointed it out."This was not the Kessler of a year a two ago". He kept pushing his right hand,kept backing straight up to where all Froch had to do was step forward and throw the right hand and land cleanly. Another no-no from the sport is pulling straight back with your head straight up. Kessler did this all night to where I thought he would get knocked down or worse knocked out. Great fight but alot of stuff needs to be worked on before his next fight. Like getting back to his old self with that piston jab and laser beam right hand.

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Originally Posted by The Fightfan

Couldn't agree more and Tarver had even pointed it out."This was not the Kessler of a year a two ago". He kept pushing his right hand,kept backing straight up to where all Froch had to do was step forward and throw the right hand and land cleanly. Another no-no from the sport is pulling straight back with your head straight up. Kessler did this all night to where I thought he would get knocked down or worse knocked out. Great fight but alot of stuff needs to be worked on before his next fight. Like getting back to his old self with that piston jab and laser beam right hand.

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Yup, forgot to mention that. Great point... You don't back straight up... Especially against someone who throws wide punches like Froch.

I'm a Kessler fan and picked him to win the fight but had he just done BASIC shit he would have won by a larger margin, taking far less damage.

When I saw Froch landing his up-jab round after round I was laughing, like... How do you let that happen if you're Montoya? I would have slapped him myslef in the corner!

I agree totally Pride. I actually think Green will beat him at this point, especially if he keeps backs straight out with his head stationary.

Kessler, to me, looked like a guy clearly on the slide. He looked like one of those fighters/athletes who could still see what needed to be done, but who couldn't make his body react in time. His counters were all just a little late, against a glacier like Froch, and he just looked old to me. Like you said, he was getting hit by a ton of shots that he would have been able to avoid a couple of years ago. I also agreed with what Tarver said about his 1-2. It used to be deadly, but he's clearly lost a step.

Allen Green by TKO.

Anybody catch Froch's tryout for the ballet with his pirouette in the middle of the ring?

http://www.imagechicken.com/uploads/...4050590300.jpg

I can't really say anything bad about Kessler because it was a really gutsy performance but it did feel like I was watching a completely different fighter...
None of that 'typical European' stuff that were become used to.

He had the look of a little brawler fighting out of his weightclass. It was weird ???

I'll try to remain optimistic with regards to his chances from here on, mainly because I know how terrible Dirrell looked against Froch but then came out looking World Class against Abraham (for the first 7 rounds).

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Originally Posted by Jimboogie

I can't really say anything bad about Kessler because it was a really gutsy performance but it did feel like I was watching a completely different fighter...
None of that 'typical European' stuff that were become used to.

He had the look of a little brawler fighting out of his weightclass. It was weird ???

I'll try to remain optimistic with regards to his chances from here on, mainly because I know how terrible Dirrell looked against Froch but then came out looking World Class against Abraham (for the first 7 rounds).

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I'm not dogging Kessler but he was making mistakes someone of his caliber shouldn't be making.

I don't disagree with anything POB stated, but Kessler did say that he knew that he had to fight more of a brawlers fight against Froch, because Froch was going to make it difficult and rough on the inside.. So, maybe Kessler had that too clearly in mind and didn't do the normal stuff he would do - hands up high and jab jab jab right hand. Kessler also used to be really good at keeping his distance and not allowing guys to get in close because of his hard jab, and this did not show against Froch.. I think that if Kessler realizes this, and goes back to basics and trusts his jab and right hand, then he will be fine, and still a favorite in this tournament.

I was really impressed with Kessler's determination. He just had more will than Froch and that was a main reason he won. Whether it was coming back and taking over the fight after a bad 5th round or fighting like he needed a come from behind KO in the 12th when he was way ahead.

But yeah he has some issues. Easy to hit. Especially with the left hook and if you throw combos he might block the first or the second but he almost always gets hit with the 3rd or 4th punch. I think Green is a bit of a fraud but he does have some power and his best punch is his left hook so I'm afraid he might catch Kessler with something.

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Originally Posted by RP33

I don't disagree with anything POB stated, but Kessler did say that he knew that he had to fight more of a brawlers fight against Froch, because Froch was going to make it difficult and rough on the inside.. So, maybe Kessler had that too clearly in mind and didn't do the normal stuff he would do - hands up high and jab jab jab right hand. Kessler also used to be really good at keeping his distance and not allowing guys to get in close because of his hard jab, and this did not show against Froch.. I think that if Kessler realizes this, and goes back to basics and trusts his jab and right hand, then he will be fine, and still a favorite in this tournament.

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This could be a possibility. We also know that Kessler isn't good at making solid adjustments during fights so maybe. I just feel that he made the fight far too hard for himself whe the normal Kessler could have walked forward, hands up, jab, jab right handed his way to a UD taking far less damage. You could be right, though.

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Originally Posted by OumaFan

I was really impressed with Kessler's determination. He just had more will than Froch and that was a main reason he won. Whether it was coming back and taking over the fight after a bad 5th round or fighting like he needed a come from behind KO in the 12th when he was way ahead.

But yeah he has some issues. Easy to hit. Especially with the left hook and if you throw combos he might block the first or the second but he almost always gets hit with the 3rd or 4th punch. I think Green is a bit of a fraud but he does have some power and his best punch is his left hook so I'm afraid he might catch Kessler with something.

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Oh, sure. I thought It was a very fun fight to watch and Kess surely wanted it! I think Green will give him issues, now. I think Kess will still beat him but with each passing fight he's being hit with shit he never was before. Kessler needs to fight the old Kessler's fight and he'll beat Green up.

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Originally Posted by PRIDE OF BOSTON

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Originally Posted by OumaFan

I was really impressed with Kessler's determination. He just had more will than Froch and that was a main reason he won. Whether it was coming back and taking over the fight after a bad 5th round or fighting like he needed a come from behind KO in the 12th when he was way ahead.

But yeah he has some issues. Easy to hit. Especially with the left hook and if you throw combos he might block the first or the second but he almost always gets hit with the 3rd or 4th punch. I think Green is a bit of a fraud but he does have some power and his best punch is his left hook so I'm afraid he might catch Kessler with something.

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Oh, sure. I thought It was a very fun fight to watch and Kess surely wanted it! I think Green will give him issues, now. I think Kess will still beat him but with each passing fight he's being hit with shit he never was before. Kessler needs to fight the old Kessler's fight and he'll beat Green up.

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But who was Kessler facing before?

He's now facing tougher opponents than he did before. Calzaghe schooled him from round 5 onwards. Kessler fought flawed partly because he is. I still give a good chance of winning this though.

For however bad Kessler looked he still beat Froch comfortably and as the fight wore on he let his hands go more which makes me think hes getting over the nerves, Green isnt that great and Kessler will look even better, he will start sharper from the first bell unlike here where it too half the fight.

The thing is, alot of people here think Froch is powerfull, quick and has good stamina, well Kessler has just proved how good his chin, stamina and how hard he is to just keep fighting and going forward.

Your kidding yourselves if you think a fighter who was bullied by Miranda will have a chance against someone shos just come through a war with the divisions hardest puncher and most awkward fighter and who has the best stamina.

Green will be target practice for Kessler, he will give Kessler 3 points and more srpness and confidence. In fact after he beats Green, the other fighters in the tournament will not be wanting to face him.

Kessler going for broke in the last round was something to see, from a man who was coming off a bad loss, against a man recieving all the acolades it was impressive;)

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Originally Posted by miles

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Originally Posted by PRIDE OF BOSTON

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Originally Posted by OumaFan

I was really impressed with Kessler's determination. He just had more will than Froch and that was a main reason he won. Whether it was coming back and taking over the fight after a bad 5th round or fighting like he needed a come from behind KO in the 12th when he was way ahead.

But yeah he has some issues. Easy to hit. Especially with the left hook and if you throw combos he might block the first or the second but he almost always gets hit with the 3rd or 4th punch. I think Green is a bit of a fraud but he does have some power and his best punch is his left hook so I'm afraid he might catch Kessler with something.

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Oh, sure. I thought It was a very fun fight to watch and Kess surely wanted it! I think Green will give him issues, now. I think Kess will still beat him but with each passing fight he's being hit with shit he never was before. Kessler needs to fight the old Kessler's fight and he'll beat Green up.

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But who was Kessler facing before?

He's now facing tougher opponents than he did before. Calzaghe schooled him from round 5 onwards. Kessler fought flawed partly because he is. I still give a good chance of winning this though.

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Kessler was in the fight with Calzaghe for 6 rounds and then Joe pulled away. Kessler is not normally a technically flawed boxer. Kessler has beaten good opposition... Not great, granted. But to tell me that his normal style wouldn't have beaten Froch would be crazy. Jermain Taylor was beating Froch pretty handily before he ran out of steam in the championship rounds. It's fact that a technical boxer is Carl Froch's cryptonite.

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Originally Posted by PRIDE OF BOSTON

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Originally Posted by The Fightfan

Couldn't agree more and Tarver had even pointed it out."This was not the Kessler of a year a two ago". He kept pushing his right hand,kept backing straight up to where all Froch had to do was step forward and throw the right hand and land cleanly. Another no-no from the sport is pulling straight back with your head straight up. Kessler did this all night to where I thought he would get knocked down or worse knocked out. Great fight but alot of stuff needs to be worked on before his next fight. Like getting back to his old self with that piston jab and laser beam right hand.

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Yup, forgot to mention that. Great point... You don't back straight up... Especially against someone who throws wide punches like Froch.

I'm a Kessler fan and picked him to win the fight but had he just done BASIC shit he would have won by a larger margin, taking far less damage.

When I saw Froch landing his up-jab round after round I was laughing, like... How do you let that happen if you're Montoya? I would have slapped him myslef in the corner!

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Its easy for Tarver to say this wasnt the Kess of old but he was facing an unbeaten guy who had found a way to win against every style he had met. Kessler was never going to look good in this fight. He knew he had to go to war and slug it out so when a fighter does that they are going to make mistakes. What it did show is that Kessler still has a great chin and bags of heart

Kessler stops Green and I think he will rematch Ward in the final .

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Originally Posted by GAME

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Originally Posted by PRIDE OF BOSTON

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Originally Posted by The Fightfan

Couldn't agree more and Tarver had even pointed it out."This was not the Kessler of a year a two ago". He kept pushing his right hand,kept backing straight up to where all Froch had to do was step forward and throw the right hand and land cleanly. Another no-no from the sport is pulling straight back with your head straight up. Kessler did this all night to where I thought he would get knocked down or worse knocked out. Great fight but alot of stuff needs to be worked on before his next fight. Like getting back to his old self with that piston jab and laser beam right hand.

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Yup, forgot to mention that. Great point... You don't back straight up... Especially against someone who throws wide punches like Froch.

I'm a Kessler fan and picked him to win the fight but had he just done BASIC shit he would have won by a larger margin, taking far less damage.

When I saw Froch landing his up-jab round after round I was laughing, like... How do you let that happen if you're Montoya? I would have slapped him myslef in the corner!

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Its easy for Tarver to say this wasnt the Kess of old but he was facing an unbeaten guy who had found to win against every style he had met. Kessler was never going to look good in this fight. He knew he had to go to war and slug it out so when a fighter does that they are going to make mistakes. What it did show is that Kessler still has a great chin and bags of heart

Kessler stops Green and I think he will rematch Ward in the final .

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...and he'll lose.

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Originally Posted by PRIDE OF BOSTON

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Originally Posted by GAME

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Originally Posted by PRIDE OF BOSTON

Yup, forgot to mention that. Great point... You don't back straight up... Especially against someone who throws wide punches like Froch.

I'm a Kessler fan and picked him to win the fight but had he just done BASIC shit he would have won by a larger margin, taking far less damage.

When I saw Froch landing his up-jab round after round I was laughing, like... How do you let that happen if you're Montoya? I would have slapped him myslef in the corner!

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Its easy for Tarver to say this wasnt the Kess of old but he was facing an unbeaten guy who had found to win against every style he had met. Kessler was never going to look good in this fight. He knew he had to go to war and slug it out so when a fighter does that they are going to make mistakes. What it did show is that Kessler still has a great chin and bags of heart

Kessler stops Green and I think he will rematch Ward in the final .

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...and he'll lose.

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In America yes but in Denmark Ward wont be able to get away with headbutts and Kessler can rough him up instead

What is strange is that Kessler wasn't making these mistakes before, he was technically astonishing, no matter better or worst opposition, he was just not fighting that way. Also, where the hell went his jab? He used to have a beautiful crisp jab with pops, now it look like a loose guitar string. What helped him against Froch though is that he really has beautiful head movement when he's not backing up.

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Originally Posted by GAME

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Originally Posted by PRIDE OF BOSTON

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Originally Posted by GAME

Its easy for Tarver to say this wasnt the Kess of old but he was facing an unbeaten guy who had found to win against every style he had met. Kessler was never going to look good in this fight. He knew he had to go to war and slug it out so when a fighter does that they are going to make mistakes. What it did show is that Kessler still has a great chin and bags of heart

Kessler stops Green and I think he will rematch Ward in the final .

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...and he'll lose.

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In America yes but in Denmark Ward wont be able to get away with headbutts and Kessler can rough him up instead

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If you think that Ward's not going to throw more wrinkles in there's you're crazy but I get what you're saying. Either way I can't see Ward losing to Kessler after the first fight. Too much lateral movement. Kessler was not able to set or counter. It will be some of the smae IMO minus the headbutts.

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Originally Posted by Nameless

What is strange is that Kessler wasn't making these mistakes before, he was technically astonishing, no matter better or worst opposition, he was just not fighting that way. Also, where the hell went his jab? He used to have a beautiful crisp jab with pops, now it look like a loose guitar string. What helped him against Froch though is that he really has beautiful head movement when he's not backing up.

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Agreed... and also his sheer determination which was unwaivering. He willed himself through that fight even flawed.

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Originally Posted by PRIDE OF BOSTON

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Originally Posted by GAME

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Originally Posted by PRIDE OF BOSTON

...and he'll lose.

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In America yes but in Denmark Ward wont be able to get away with headbutts and Kessler can rough him up instead

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If you think that Ward's not going to throw more wrinkles in there's you're crazy but I get what you're saying. Either way I can't see Ward losing to Kessler after the first fight. Too much lateral movement. Kessler was not able to set or counter. It will be some of the smae IMO minus the headbutts.

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Yeah Ward will probably beat Kess again. He just has his number like Vernon had Shanes but I duno if that made him a better fighter. Ward might be the next Hopkins - successful but unappreciated due to his boring hit and hold style and lack of power.

If Kess was at home and wasnt as much of a warrior he could take a dive after a Ward headbutt and get a DQ win like Dirrell. Kess has too much heart though and props to him for fighting like a warrior. Thats why him and Abraham sell out big venues. The two fights in the States so far have been infront of a dull 2 or 3k. The fans dont want to see negative boxers. They fill out bigger venues for UFC. I hope Green beats Ward and brings some excitment into this tourny for the Yanks. He is a banger with a great style. They will love him if he wins. They need more Gatti type of fighters. Dirrell and Ward are class but they dont have that much true grit or atleast they dont show it . They dont fight with Heart like Kess and Froch so they will never be in a great fight like that. They fight with their heads ( literally in Wards case ) and even though its not great for fans I think it may serve them well.

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Originally Posted by GAME

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Originally Posted by PRIDE OF BOSTON

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Originally Posted by GAME

In America yes but in Denmark Ward wont be able to get away with headbutts and Kessler can rough him up instead

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If you think that Ward's not going to throw more wrinkles in there's you're crazy but I get what you're saying. Either way I can't see Ward losing to Kessler after the first fight. Too much lateral movement. Kessler was not able to set or counter. It will be some of the smae IMO minus the headbutts.

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Yeah Ward will probably beat Kess again. He just has his number like Vernon had Shanes but I duno if that made him a better fighter. Ward might be the next Hopkins - successful but unappreciated due to his boring hit and hold style and lack of power.

If Kess was at home and wasnt as much of a warrior he could take a dive after a Ward headbutt and get a DQ win like Dirrell. Kess has too much heart though and props to him for fighting like a warrior. Thats why him and Abraham sell out big venues. The two fights in the States so far have been infront of a dull 2 or 3k. The fans dont want to see negative boxers. They fill out bigger venues for UFC. I hope Green beats Ward and brings some excitment into this tourny for the Yanks. He is a banger with a great style. They will love him if he wins. They need more Gatti type of fighters. Dirrell and Ward are class but they dont have that much true grit or atleast they dont show it . They dont fight with Heart like Kess and Froch so they will never be in a great fight like that. They fight with their heads ( literally in Wards case ) and even though its not great for fans I think it may serve them well.

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Yeah, I totally agree with this post... There's no way Green beats Ward but if he did, it'd sure shake things up. Agreed about the raw grit factor, as well. I think Ward probably has it, but I can't see it in Dirrell(not to say it's not there... This is souly an oppinion.)

The sales for the US based Super Six have been embarassing... Simply embarrasing.

I think Kessler is on the slide imo.

Ever since the Calzaghe fight, he seems less accurate and abit more sluggish when he fights. His straight right hand to the head used to be a major weapon of his but i barely seen it the other night.

His body work seems to of improved though.

Like others have said Kessler was in with a tough un orthodox unbeaten puncher in Froch that looks alot slower and easier to hit than he is.

I was actually impressed with both guys. Kessler has a hell of a chin and unreal determination.

Good thing Froch knocked up his girl or she might have left with Mikkel after the fight...;D

I think it's easy to look bad against Ward and then to be facing an unbeaten world champion with an awkward style in your comeback fight isn't exactly going to be your first choice. I think it took him six rounds to get going and that the win will do him a lot of good. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets some of the way back to where he was a few years ago in his next fight but he definitely looks to be missing a step, not the same crispness or accuracy with his punches.

Well now I have a few comments...

The blueprint was out how to beat Kessler, Froch knew that and I think had Kessler tried to do the same thing again, Froch would have gotten to Kessler, the new style caught Froch by surprise, I didnt expect this either. Kessler needed something new and his shown the others that he still is a force to be recond with and with new things in the bag if the Technical doesnt work Kessler can now brawl in USA against Ward he just looked confused witout any gameplan.

Remember that Kessler has changed his coach, after 18 years with the same coach (Richard Olsen) Kessler needed something new. I agree he took many shots, but he came out from a very poor performance against Ward with very little time to adjust I didnt think he would win, e g the low profile from a fanboy :rolleyes:

Now Kessler is in a transsionstate where he is trying to work with new things he really need in his boxinggame. In danish media he talked about getting the old Kessler back, I hope that is speed, because speed kills ya, not slow power, that was also why Calzaghe was so great he outworked everybody, and the old Kessler was very quick, he traded that away for raw power, I hope that Kessler is going for speed speed speed in the coming months.

But in the end it that was a very hard fight and my guy is still in the mix. I dont know anything about Green, but I think the Ward match will give me a few answers :cool:

So tell me, coz I havent seen heaps of kessler I gauge alot off his mundine performance which I think was quite good. Is this version of Kessler as good as he was against Mundine or is he slipping? Because what I saw against Mundine was a good boxer with good speed and decent power.

Kessler and Froch both fought like guys a little past their primes.

Although I think in Froch's case he was just a bit lazy and scared of running out of gas.

Kessler looked very rigid and robotic.

Also pretty slow. He missed A LOT of punches.

Great heart by both guys and a damn good fight the last 2 or 3 rounds.

I don't think Kessler can deal with a fighter with good speed though at this point.

Although I would agree that he did not look sharp at all, he did land some excellent body shots on Froch.

While I don't have anything to add, some excellent posts and analysis took place on this thread thus far. Cheers. ;)

It was a good fight , but lets face it Kessler isnt a top champion , he wont win this super six.
He is robotic and limited , any top boxer with movement beats him.

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Originally Posted by Snakey

So tell me, coz I havent seen heaps of kessler I gauge alot off his mundine performance which I think was quite good. Is this version of Kessler as good as he was against Mundine or is he slipping? Because what I saw against Mundine was a good boxer with good speed and decent power.

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Just a little less of everything, especially accuracy and composure. Physically maybe similar to hoe he was against Ward and Pecormo but was more determined and had a game plan against Froch.

With his confidence back hopefully they'll get back to basics over next few months, won't fight til the autumn with that cut IMO. Then again he night just be on the wane on the wrong side of 30.

What people aren't mentioning is how small the ring was. A small ring is a bit like a shit pitch in football. It can be a leveller.

You have less room to set yourself, and your opponent is constantly on you. Technique can go out the window as close combat takes over. I honestly think that's what happened with Kessler. Plus i agree with what Miles said about Kessler stepping up in class. It's similar to how Hatton started looking once he started to fight decent guys who were in their prime.

Actually Kessler deserves credit for facing all these unbeaten guys (Calzaghe, Froch, Ward in hindsight)... He was in the face of some unreal confidence.

Although taking on the Son of God without Montoya in your corner is just plain stupid :rolleyes:

Seriously though... I'm sure Kessler will look absolutely sensational in his next fight ;)

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Originally Posted by Jimboogie

Actually Kessler deserves credit for facing all these unbeaten guys (Calzaghe, Froch, Ward in hindsight)... He was in the face of some unreal confidence.

Although taking on the Son of God without Montoya in your corner is just plain stupid :rolleyes:

Seriously though... I'm sure Kessler will look absolutely sensational in his next fight ;)

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That's true. He travelled for 2 of them aswell.

Someone said it, but Kessler never fought this level of opponent so of course his technical abilities won't look as good. Can we all agree that the win over Froch was Kessler's best? In my opinion, by far. It was the first time Kessler stepped up his competition and won.

Although I like him as a fighter (I know I'm the only one), I'm unconvinced Green is on the top level. He may be more of the Andrade/Bika/Miranda level. We'll find out in the Ward fight win or lose.