Just another one of Wacko's Polls. Get it? Wacko's Poll? Heh heh heh. Cal vs Kes

[Wacko3205]

For years many U.S. fight fans have balanced on a thin, tight rope when it comes to their opinions or support of the Welshman that would be the kingpin of the super middleweight division.

This U.S. fan feels that that’s one hell of a huge cop out.

The fact that a vast majority of our U.S. champs face less scrutiny under the same actions has always been a mystery to me. Names like Hopkins, Jones, Mayweather, & countless others get away with it seems beside the point for Calzaghe’s critics.

Another little discrepancy lies in the line of opposition. Many tear apart Joe’s record as if it were made of tissue paper. Many regard Joe’s opponents as if they were the perfect match for the white cotton…I am not one of those many. Joe has faced the same level of opposition as the majority of our champions…the names are just not that recognizable due to the side of the lake that they swim & that’s a bit close minded.

Joe’s beaten names like Reid, Sheika, Salem, Veit, Ashira, Mkrtchian, Jimenez, & the great Eubank…whom most argue wasn’t great when Joe got to him. Utter rubbish. Although many discredit those names now…they were quite impressive when Joe just walked through them. Many fighters took notice as most of the “then” champions either refused to cross the lakes or priced themselves out of the matches. It would seem that Calzaghe could do no right or please pundits & fans alike.

Enter Jeff Lacy.

Coming up Lacy was considered the danger man of 168lbs…& very few would argue. Lacy knocked out 17 of his first 20 opponents & bested the rest quite impressively. There was a stumble here & there…but nothing to get to worried about. Lacy was rising & he was rising fast (far to fast, IWHO) up the ladder of one hundred sixty. Lacy faced & hammered some game opponents & the moment that he grabbed the IBF’s strap in 2004 he began to call out Joe Calzaghe.

When the match was finally made, after countless trips to the bartering table, many were of the opinion that Calzaghe would all but hand Lacy the title once they were toe to toe. Just the opposite occurred. Lacy traded home court advantage, his IBF title, his reputation, & the majority of his “danger man” image to Calzaghe for the fight of life…which is just what Joe gave him.

It’s become ancient lore now…the story of Joe man handling Lacy has been pushed to the back burner. Lacy has been discounted as a meagerly talented bum & Joe is still being critiqued by his detractors as a pity-pat puncher that’s been cared for like fine china his entire run.

Both of the above accusations are utter trash & any boxing fan worth his salts can should be able to get past their bias & admit that…but they won’t & here we are…another one of Wacko’s long drawn out diatribes.

So let me get to my point…& questions.

Will Mikkel Kessler fall to the same fate if he loses to Joe in near or like fashion?
If the opposite were to happen & Kessler handles Joe…will Joe then be dismissed?

Just curious what your thoughts were.

Mine are short & sweet concerning the Dane. If there is a foil out there for Joe Calzaghe I believe that it can be only one of two men…Kessler or Hopkins.

I won’t get into the Hopkins debate because it’s an old one…but Kessler…it’s still fresh cut & waiting on the table.

Kessler has the age, power, & abilities to cause Joe all sorts of issues. While I am a dyed in the wool Calzaghe fan…I’m just as big of a Kessler fan…so it’s hard for me to pick a winner with my heart or my head…but I truly believe that Calzaghe has the better shot down the stretch.

Kessler’s footwork could cause Joe issues…if Kessler can get his feet to work against someone as quick & awkward as Joe. Joe throws punches from all angles & is constantly working his feet. I have a feeling that down the stretch of 12 this is what will benefit Joe the most. Joe has never punched himself out & this is something that Kess needs to remember.

Kessler needs to come on & come on hard…& he can do it…but he can also box.

I just honestly feel that the speed is going to be the bigger factor in the fight.

Here’s hoping that I’m wrong.

I want a fight. I want to see a contest for Joe & I want to see Kessler prove himself…which I think he can if he keeps his head.

Your thoughts?

[Wacko3205]

Personally...I think that everyone's disregarding Kessler & looking for another Joe C blowout ala the Lacy fight. I just don't see it...so I voted Calzaghe by a hard fought decision.

I say that Kess gives Joe some issues with size & footwork & what not...also...Kessler has a defense where Lacy did not.

[Kev]

I've missed you pre fight analysis Mr Wacko

Personally I think this will be a tough hard fight. Kessler is a more acomplished boxer than Lacy as evidenced by the boxing lesson he handed out to the highly rated Librado Andrade.

He beat a somewhat Green Mundine in Oz and destroyed Marcus Beyer so it's clear he's no pushover.

I'd say Andrade, Mundine and Beyer are better names than any on Lacy's record but obviously Kessler is not an American so most causual fans will not have heard much about him.

I think as long as Calzaghes hands hold up he can beat Kessle through speed and sheer workrate.

Kessler is a strong boy but not a huge puncher and this will most likely go to the cards and it's difficualt to envision Joe losing on points, he's one of the most active and relentless fighters out there.

We know he can go for 12 rounds at a rate of 100 punches a round. Stamina is not an issue.

Whilst Kessler has looked impressive we've yet to see him really tested and and so can't say with certainty how he will respond to Calzaghe's nonstop pressure.

I think Calzaghe is too fast, too experienced and too wiley for Kessler at this stage of their careers. Kess can still be the future of this division but as long as age hasn't caught up with overnight Calzaghe is still the best 168 lb fighter out there and I believe he will prove it come fight night.

[ICB]

Personally...I think that everyone's disregarding Kessler & looking for another Joe C blowout ala the Lacy fight. I just don't see it...so I voted Calzaghe by a hard fought decision.

I say that Kess gives Joe some issues with size & footwork & what not...also...Kessler has a defense where Lacy did not.

Not me i reckon 100 percent Calzaghe would win ud but thing is Wacko is that im worried about Calzaghe's hands but if we are talking 100 percent Calzaghe he is bit too quick and too much workrate for Kessler winning a ud 115-113 115-113 116-112.

[:::PSL:::]

I voted for "Calzaghe by a hard fought decision" his last win with Gomez was caused by premature stoppage.

I think Joe will going to outbox and avoid Kessler's bombs at the same time.

Calzaghe is one quick mofo.

[Kel]

I reckon Calzaghe gets the UD....but I think it will be close. Joe is no spring chicken and a younger, more hungry Kessler has a great chance.

[No Contest]

I voted Kessler by hard fought decision. I think he has the style to beat Joe if he keeps on the outside. I see Joe trying to pressure with his volume punching, but Kessler is too smart for that, he showed a nice blueprint in the Andrade fight. He has a good jab , Calzaghe isnt going to just waltz right in. Its gonna be a good fight, and can I finally give Joe C. some props for manning up but I still think he loses

[No Contest]

Whats with the flip flopping Wacko? I thought you were backing Kessler.

[superheavyrhun]

As much as I want to say Joe Calzaghe by landslide, I just can't see any way possible that this is going to be another Lacy. That will have been over 18 months ago by the time he gets in the ring with Kessler, and with the body clock ticking along relentlessly, the question whether that will have an impact on the shape Joe can get himself into.

The divisions where fighters can defy time tend to be among the bigger guys where speed is not an issue, but if Joe does turn up at 100%, then I think that he can outwork Kessler from the kinds of angles and frequency that Kessler has never faced before. The success of Calzaghe's movement and evasiveness whilst throwing oodles of punches will be the key for this fight I feel, and I have voted for a Hard fought Calzaghe decision as the result, but if Calzaghe fights to his best, Kessler's stamina might fail him as he continually fails to land, and might get stopped late on.

Damn, I don't know. I can see a flash knockdown for Kessler, Joe getting his ego in the way and trading a little, but ultimately I still see him winning. And either way, I see myself being rather drunk whilst at the stadium, praying that my VCR is going to record the damn thing properly.

[DaxxKahn]

I pick Kessler

[Wacko3205]

Whats with the flip flopping Wacko? I thought you were backing Kessler.

No flip flopping dawgy.

I've always said that I thought Kess had the goods to beat Joe...but having the goods & being able to use them...two totally different things.

Kessler aint gonna be fighting home...Joe is.

Correct?

Makes a diff if you ask me. I'm sure that there'll be a buncha Danes up in the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales...but it's still just that...Wales. Joe tends to go apeshit when challenged in his backyard.

But that's just one of many variables.

I just see Joe's speed being a capper.

As I said...Kess or Hopkins...& those are the two that I can see besting Joe...but it'll be tuff.

[yoitsdan]

This is going to an absolutely amazing fight. When I play match ups in my head, this one seems to have limitless potential. Of all the great match ups there has been this year I can't think of one that better than this. This is as 'pick em' as it gets folks.

cheers Wacko for the great rundown, although it only makes it even harder to wait for Nov 3rd!

[BoomBoom]

I think Calzaghe gets knocked down a couple of times but outboxes Kessler for the majority of the fight. This one ones to the cards with Kessler winning a Unanimous decision cause of the 10-8 rounds and his winning the early rounds. Should be good fight.

[Wacko3205]

This is going to an absolutely amazing fight. When I play match ups in my head, this one seems to have limitless potential. Of all the great match ups there has been this year I can't think of one that better than this. This is as 'pick em' as it gets folks.

cheers Wacko for the great rundown, although it only makes it even harder to wait for Nov 3rd!

right back...& I agree...this is going to be an amazing match.

I have no clue who pulls it out...but I lean towards Joe...& that's hard because I'm a fan of Kess also.

I think Calzaghe gets knocked down a couple of times but outboxes Kessler for the majority of the fight. This one ones to the cards with Kessler winning a Unanimous decision cause of the 10-8 rounds and his winning the early rounds. Should be good fight.

Honestly...I'd like to see a few drops. A good scrap never hurt anyone...but I agree...Joe's gonna put the heat on him.

[zinzang]

I say Joe by late KO but definately a great and entertaining fight!