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CALZAGHE 15 - 2 KESSLER

SecondsOut Team Pick Calzaghe vs. Kessler

Is Joe Calzaghe headed for another win?

It is another legitimate super fight for 2007 and SecondsOut’s team of fearless writers make their picks for this weekend’s undisputed super middleweight boxing world title fight at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales between undefeated WBO world champion Joe Calzaghe and undefeated WBC/WBA world champion Mikkel Kessler.

“Prior to this fight being made I fancied Kessler to prevail over Calzaghe, but now the fight is made and Calzaghe has home advantage, I’m not so sure. Also there is a rumour that Kessler is carrying a hand injury. If that’s the case, he cannot beat Joe with one hand. All things being equal, neutral territory and both being 100%, I’d go for Kessler. But home advantage could make all the difference so I’m tipping Calzaghe to get the tightest of decisions to leave enough of a controversy for a rematch. Calzaghe W12.”
- Clive Bernath, Editor in Chief

“If they were fighting at a normal local boxing hour, I’d be picking Kessler. But fighting in the early hours of the morning hurts the travelling boxer. The 2am time factor affected Jeff Lacy against Calzaghe and Kostya Tszyu against Ricky Hatton. Kessler won’t be at his 100% best in this fight either. This coupled with Calzaghe’s boxing skills and hometown support will see the Welshman win over the distance. Calzaghe W12.”
– Paul Upham, Content Editor

“I like Calzaghe by majority decision. Calzaghe has more ‘big’ fight experience, and as always, Calzaghe’s hand speed will be the difference. Calzaghe WMD12.”
- Gregory Juckett, Content Editor

“Despite the hype, I think this is a fairly comfortable win for the Welshman. Calzaghe is too fast, and too fluid with his boxing for Kessler. While the Dane has an excellent jab, he is too upright and does not fight particularly well on the inside. Calzaghe has shown no signs of slowing down despite his age, and will throw too many punches per round. To be honest, I don’t actually think this will be too competitive. Calzaghe W12.”
- Ben Cohen, Contributing Editor

“This is, in theory, the toughest test of Calzaghe’s career. But while he may be surprised by Kessler’s youthful strength, Joe is unlikely to be puzzled by the Dane’s more straightforward style. Calzaghe’s blend of speed, power and unorthodoxy is a more difficult conundrum to solve and I believe the Welshman will move through the gears to clinch a well-deserved decision. Calzaghe W12.”
- Mark Butcher, Founding Editor
“Calzaghe is the better boxer and he will use that skill against Kessler. Kessler moves in behind a jab, good form, but Calzaghe will move out of range and box behind his own jab until Kessler begins to wilt from Calzaghe’s long-range combinations. Calzaghe understands distance as well as any boxer. At that point, around the seventh or eighth round, Calzaghe will move in for the kill. Calzaghe KO/TKO8.”
- Jerry Glick

“Media reports that Kessler has been nursing a deep bone bruise in his hand are extremely troubling. The Dane will need to punch hard and often behind his jab and if a hand is wounded then so are his chances. Calzaghe is a master of his trade and his hand speed and vast experience should see him through this test. It won’t be a Lacy-like beat down but I predict a decision of the unanimous kind for the Welshman. Calzaghe WUD12.”
- Michael Norby

“This will be the toughest fight of Calzaghe’s career, no doubt about it. But Calzaghe can take Kessler places he’s never been to before, how will Kessler react? I see Joe edging it, it will be a close fight but backed on by almost 60,000 people Calzaghe wins. I think Kessler will underestimate just how fast Calzaghe’s hands are, it will be tougher than the Lacy fight because Kessler is a far better boxer, but end result... Calzaghe wins. Calzaghe W12”
- Craig Phillips

“Kessler’s a sharp-shooter and the harder puncher, and that might make Calzaghe wary of leaving himself open by letting his hands go too often, neutralizing a key advantage. That said, I think the Welshman’s edge in inside boxing skills and speed plus the passionate hometown crowd will allow him to pull out a tight decision in an intense duel. Calzaghe WSD12.”
- Sean Waisglass

“Boy oh boy, this is one of these fights were you spend all afternoon with anticipation. This is one of these fights where it’s easy to wimp out by saying X will won but don’t be supervised if I wins. Knowing this, I will go out on a tight limb and say Calzaghe wins a decision. But I see him tasting the canvas, and hurting his hand from throwing many punches at a strong Kessler moving forward and not bothered by Calzaghe’s blows. Give both men credit; they deserve a lot of respect no matter who wins this fight. Calzaghe W12”
- Ray Kilgore

“I’ve picked against Joe in all his big fights, so why stop now. My feeling is that a younger Joe Calzaghe would have been able to outbox Kessler from distance on route to a big points victory. The 35-year-old version won’t be able to keep such discipline and will lose a close points decision after controlling the opening stages. Kessler W12.”
- Sanjeev Shetty

“I’m still amazed this is a free fight here in the USA. Kessler is slick as snails, but only knows one trick. Calzaghe will beat Kessler’s body while taking pot shots in the initial rounds, walk Kessler down as he tires, and force a rough-up Calzaghe can win before the final bell. Calzaghe TKO11.”
- Chad Edward

“It might have gotten him the acclaim he desired but Joe Calzaghe’s victory over Jeff Lacy is highly overblown. In Mikkel Kessler, he’s found a worthy opponent; a fellow champ with the skills and hunger to dethrone him. Methinks the Punching Welshman will outbox and outwork his younger foe en route to a close but decisive unanimous decision. Calzaghe WUD12.”
- Kenneth Bouhairie

“Both men are absolutely focused on this unification clash and though Calzaghe is the slight betting favourite, this just might be the fight where the long-reigning champ starts to show his age. At 35 to Kessler’s 28, Calzaghe may find himself having trouble with the Dane’s strength and sheer desire in the later rounds. I’d say this one’s about as 50/50 as you can get, but I lean, ever so slightly, in Kessler’s favour. Kessler W12.”
- James Slater

“Someone’s unbeaten record is going to go and it doesn’t look like it will be Calzaghe’s, especially not in his home town. He is just after coming out of a twelve week training camp and looks in super shape. Kessler will need everything he’s got to slay the Dragon. Calzaghe to win.”
- Bernard O’Neill

“I pick Calzaghe by decision. He’s fought the better opposition and will be fighting at home. He seems to fight his best against good opposition and Kessler will give him something to compete against. Calzaghe W12.”
- Harry Rosenbluth

“Calzaghe once again is being written off leading up to a big fight. The same thing happened with Jeff Lacy and the same things are being said. Lacy was the hottest property in the division and was apparently coming over to knockout Calzaghe. For those who watched the fight that’s not exactly how it happened, Calzaghe handed Lacy a harsh boxing lesson. This time it’s Mikkel Kessler, the unbeaten Dane who is coming over to take Calzaghe’s thunder. Kessler is unbeaten in 39 fights. He has superb technique and also carries power, stopping 29 of those fighters inside the distance. Apparently he is younger, faster and hungrier and is posed to take Calzaghe’s belt. Calzaghe however has proved that every time he has faced an opponent of real class he has stepped up his game and won well. This will be no different, Kessler will have a 70,000 crowd cheering against him. It will be like nothing he has ever experienced before. This will give Calzaghe a huge advantage from the start. Kessler is great at the basics and has a good boxing brain, but it will take much more than that to beat Calzaghe. Calzaghe W12”
- John Tandy