Kessler vs Ward analysis

[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.

[HattonTheHammer]

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!!

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

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!

[littlebif]

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.

[jangeorg]

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

[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.

[amat]

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.

[jangeorg]

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

[jangeorg]

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.

I know Ward can switch between orthodox and southpaw,but Ward is not quite good as southpaw, so why does he do it against Kessler? He may confuse opponents at a lower level, but not Kessler

[Kel]

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

[Spicoli]

Yeah.I think Ward looked improved greatly in with Miranda.Miranda showed alot of doubt in there and I think Ward might have possibly pressed harder for a stoppage,he would have gotten it.Went to another level that night did Ward...but am still leaning towards a Kessler win.Ward at some point will have to stand in,keep Kess off and I am just not convinced he can do that in conjuction with needed mobility.Very well the best fight of the super six.

[Bertern]

This is going to be the best fight of the Super six.

Imo the two best boxers in the bunch, and i really hope Kessler can take the pressure the Oakland crowd will provide, and bring the victory to glorious Denmark.

But this is not a sure thing, as someone says. Ward is as said before also a favorite, and is likely to win on points over Kessler. I don't believe Kessler is going down.

I think the fight will be with Ward as the agressor the first 4-5 rounds hoping to land some good punches, that will make Kessler a bit shaky. After that Kessler is going to take control of the fight, and be the wise boxer landing heavy hits to the chin which maybe will send Ward to the ground.

on points it will be a close call. i will said 50/50

on KO Kessler has the advantages, 70/30 to Kessler.

[TheBranMan]

Good post, but I wouldn't say Mundine is superior to Ward in any way.

[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.

[jangeorg]

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