Kessler scared of Pantera?

[Pantera]

Kessler rejects Miranda clash!
Thursday, March 6 2008


Despite offers to hold the bout in a neutral location and significant offers from both HBO and Showtime for the television rights to the bout, handlers of Mikkel Kessler have walked away from a lucrative showdown with the feared ‘Pantera’, Edison Miranda. “Viking Warrior?” asked Miranda, referring to the former super middleweight champion’s nickname. “Kessler should turn his horned helmet in after disgracing such a tribe of true fighters. He talks like a fighter, has tattoos like he’s a tough guy, but when it comes down to being a real fighter, he’s not even worthy of carrying my gloves.” The fight between Miranda and Kessler was originally pitched for the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, but that location was turned down. Seminole Warriors Boxing, Miranda’s promoter, immediately acquiesced and offered a neutral location for the bout – again, Kessler refused. Even extreme interest from HBO and Showtime couldn’t convince the Denmark native to fight the Colombian standout, even though a win over Miranda would help erase the memory of his decisive loss to Joe Calzaghe last November. “I have a message for Mikkel Kessler, or Kessler the Kitten as I call him after he gave away his belts without a fight last year," said Miranda. "Joe Calzaghe is not going to fight you again. What more does he have to prove after he slapped you around for 12 rounds? The only way you’re going to erase that loss from the fans' memories is if you beat a legitimate fighter like me, but you know you can’t beat me, that’s why you won’t take this fight. So my advice to you is to retire and leave the fighting to the men. I challenge any of the so called top super middleweight contenders to step up and fight Pantera, but I doubt any of you have the guts."

[Mar]

What happened to the so called pascal showdown ?? I'd love to see miranda "david banks" his ass ! I don't think kessler is necessarily scared of miranda. Edison can still be outboxed and we still have to realize although really impressive (especially in comparison to what pascal showed on the same card ) that it was still only david banks.

[RP33]

Kessler would KO Pantera in late rounds, if not he'd UD him.. It would be al ittle later than Pavlik's KO on Pantera cause Kessler isn't as much of a pressure fighter as Kelly, but Miranda keeps coming forward and Kessler would just keep dropping bomb after bomb, round after round..

Pavlik took a lot of punches from Edison, and i don't see Kessler getting caught with nearly as many, as he's quicker and throws his jab a lot more.. We know that Kessler can take a punch, but haven't really seen him getting hit by someone as powerful as Miranda.. but i'd still bet HEAVILY on Kess...

Anyway, i'd like to see this fight, just so that Kessler can get a win.

[Violent Demise]

Very disappointing news from Kessler

[Phil]

this was a great chance for Kessler to bounce back, can't belive
he hasn't jumped at this

[:::PSL:::]

What happened to the so called pascal showdown ?? I'd love to see miranda "david banks" his ass ! I don't think kessler is necessarily scared of miranda. Edison can still be outboxed and we still have to realize although really impressive (especially in comparison to what pascal showed on the same card ) that it was still only david banks.

Yea, the throat slitting gesture exchange between them at the ESPN FNF.

Miranda-Pascal is more interesting imo.

[ross]

"Joe Calzaghe is not going to fight you again. What more does he have to prove after he slapped you around for 12 rounds?

[The Fightfan]

I would like to see Kessler fight a tune-up or maybe Jermain Taylor that would be big.Then get the match with Miranda.

[Deanrw]

Miranda is one of my favorite fighters. With all his limitations, he is still entertaining and willing to mix it up with anyone. He will always be dangerous and is a likable fellow. You have to give him credit.

Plus he comes with a bonus feature!! That's right folks, he has a lil bit of Mayorga-ness in him and is willing to talk some trash.

[No Contest]

I swear he thinks this is the WWF. Soon he's gonna start shaking during interviews like he's Hulk Hogan. At the end of this interview did he rip his shirt off and say: What ya gonna do brother? What ya gonna do? When the 24" pythons are coming for you.

[Deanrw]

I swear he thinks this is the WWF. Soon he's gonna start shaking during interviews like he's Hulk Hogan. At the end of this interview did he rip his shirt off and say: What ya gonna do brother? What ya gonna do? When the 24" pythons are coming for you.

LOL so true. He is like a real life Clubber Lang. "Miranda Pity's The Fool who dares step into the ring with him."

No matter how you slice it though, he has one punch power and many fighters will be wary about him. I don't see Pascal listed as having any upcoming fights, so I guess he backed out of fighting Miranda also.

[Wayne]

I would like to see Kessler fight a tune-up or maybe Jermain Taylor that would be big.Then get the match with Miranda.

Are you kidding? Jermain Taylor as a tune-up for Edison Miranda? Taylor would MURDERLIZE Miranda! Save for Arthur Abraham, I don't see anyone who has held a title at 160-168 losing to Miranda. He's a club fighter dipped in money, but a club fighter nonetheless.

[ICB]

Are you kidding? Jermain Taylor as a tune-up for Edison Miranda? Taylor would MURDERLIZE Miranda! Save for Arthur Abraham, I don't see anyone who has held a title at 160-168 losing to Miranda. He's a club fighter dipped in money, but a club fighter nonetheless.

Even before Miranda lost to Pavlik i could never understand why people thought Miranda would beat Taylor, Miranda is sloppy and has no defense, ok he has good power and he is exciting, but he isn't even in the same league as Jermain Taylor IMO.

[donnydarkoIRL]

I disagree I think Mirandas power gives him a great shot against any fighter really. However, he is desperately in need of technical improvement.

[Bomp]

That might be the problem Kess has with Miranda, the risk/reward thing, most fans would expect him to beat Miranda comfortably, and anything less than emphatic (like Pavlik did) would be deemed a poor performance. He should fight him anyway IMO, Kessler needs to keep busy and in the spotlight before he becomes a risky guy on the sidelines that's avoided since he hasn't got a belt.