Quote Originally Posted by jangeorg View Post
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!!