Quote Originally Posted by Kirkland Laing View Post
Kessler is apparently training for a mandatory against some nonentity. It looks like he's decided not to go the Mads Larsen route and retire rather than fight for Palle again. If he doesn't manage to get out of his Palle contract without it going to court it's unlikely we'll see him in any big fights again, which is a real shame. He's easily the best 168 pounder. I hope I'm wrong and he fights Bute, Taylor/Froch winner and moves up to 175, but I think Palle has him by the balls. Maybe he gets a big fight at the end of his contract, but isn't that another six fights or so?
If that's the case, he should fight six times this year. All the guys in the WBA top 10 are stiffs except Ward. The number one contender is total tomato can. He's going to need to vacate that WBA belt and go for a unification match with Bute or Froch/Taylor if he wants to make a good fight and keep a belt.

If Taylor wins, I'm sure HBO would be interested in Kessler v Taylor and that might bring enough money for his current management to go for it. The risk-reward on that one would be pretty good. Froch - Kessler sounds more like a Showtime fight, probably shown on delay, but it might gate better and make it worth it for that.

Palle is probably looking to have him fight stiffs until he can make a fight with Balzsay. That's the safest fight with any shred of credibility.