Kessler scared of Pantera?

[Mikkel_K]

I gotta say being the biggest Kess fan...
I'm really gutted to hear this.

I'd like to hear from Kess himself what happened here.

I am not to happy to see that either to be honest. It would be a good fight, and I am sure Kessler would win it. So why not take it?

However, it seem a bit premature to just accept any press release from Miranda's people as facts - surely there could be more sides to the argument? First of all the definition of 'lucrative' is likely to differ. This would most likely be for less money than Kessler has earned for a fight in at least three years (the Beyer fight aside, but he took a cut there as a surefire investment), secondly this would be promoted by Miranda's people. It cannot be that surprising that Kessler does not just jump at the first chance.

Still, something about this bothers me. Not necessarily that Kessler rejects this fight, but more so that I think (fear) that Kessler and Palle are overestimating themselves. They find themselves in a position, they haven't been in since before 2004. Beltless contenders, back to the drawing board etc. And I dont think they are ready to accept this - that while they think the Calzaghe fight proved the continuation of succesful learning curve - and in fairness I agree, I dont think he should come out of the Calzaghe fight with a worse reputation, than he went in there with - it left him in a completely different part of the curve.

Now Kessler might actually need to fight someone who has lost two of his last six fights and has never held a title, in a fight with no belts on the line. And if he keep refusing this reality, then what will happen with his career?

However, all this being said, I am merely a fan. I want him to fight all the elite fighters, preferably at a rate of at least once a month. And he might as well do this for peanuts for all I know. I do respect though that Kessler, his promoter, his family and friends etc might have different views on his career.

[Mikkel_K]

Hmm, all this and then I left out the main points: a) Good to see that someone is calling Kessler out, b) Would have been a great fight, c) There might be more sides to the argument than the ones coming through in Miranda's press release.

[donnydarkoIRL]

Imo Kessler is the best Super Middleweight in the world right now. (That Calzaghe has moved on)
Kessler could beat Miranda and I can only assume that Kessler has another plan.

I say bring on Miranda vs. Taylor.

[littlebif]

It would be a good way to come back after the Calzaghe fight if he wins,it would look bad on his record if he was to lose ,2 losses in a row. Be a very good fight id favour Kessler to win on points.

[Pugilistic]

he did just suffer his first defeat last year, you can't really think putting him in the ring with a guy like miranda is a great idea just yet, i feel kessler would beat miranda but miranda always has a punchers chance and being beat twice in two fights and being ko'd ain't good for any fighter, let him fight a lesser opponent then he can go on to the better fighters at 168.

[Poom]

Damn, would be a v nice comeback for kess, what the hell is he doing

[donnydarkoIRL]

I think that what kessler needs to do is get a guy like Andrade again now. A durable rugged opponent that will take him a few rounds and make him feel impressive.

[Majesty]

I have a question..

How does beating David Banks qualify Miranda to fight one of the top 3 super middleweights in the world right now?

If that question is answered, I'll jump on the bandwagon for Miranda.

[CFH]

I have a question..

How does beating David Banks qualify Miranda to fight one of the top 3 super middleweights in the world right now?

If that question is answered, I'll jump on the bandwagon for Miranda.

I haven't read all the replies to this thread, but I don't think anyone could correctly claim that Miranda is even a top 5 SMW at this point. I would say the same thing about Jermaine Taylor as well, though I'd have him closer to the top 5 than I would Miranda.

[Pantera]

I have a question..

How does beating David Banks qualify Miranda to fight one of the top 3 super middleweights in the world right now?

If that question is answered, I'll jump on the bandwagon for Miranda.

It is a win win fight for both guys.

For Kessler it gives him a good payday with huge coverage in America against a beatable well known opponent. A win over Pantera makes Kessler a big hype in America and will surely give him the huge fight he thinks he deserves.

For Miranda it gives him a good payday with huge coverage in Europe with a chance to prove that his weight excuse at 160lbs was legit. A win over Kessler wipes out the Pavlik loss and puts him on top of the 168lbs division.

Plus it is a great fight for us fans!

[CFH]

It is a win win fight for both guys.

For Kessler it gives him a good payday with huge coverage in America against a beatable well known opponent. A win over Pantera makes Kessler a big hype in America and will surely give him the huge fight he thinks he deserves.

For Miranda it gives him a good payday with huge coverage in Europe with a chance to prove that his weight excuse at 160lbs was legit. A win over Kessler wipes out the Pavlik loss and puts him on top of the 168lbs division.

Plus it is a great fight for us fans!

It's hard to argue with this post, you make some good points. The only reason I don't want to see the fight is that I'm a big fan of both fighters.

[Majesty]

It is a win win fight for both guys.

For Kessler it gives him a good payday with huge coverage in America against a beatable well known opponent. A win over Pantera makes Kessler a big hype in America and will surely give him the huge fight he thinks he deserves.

For Miranda it gives him a good payday with huge coverage in Europe with a chance to prove that his weight excuse at 160lbs was legit. A win over Kessler wipes out the Pavlik loss and puts him on top of the 168lbs division.

Plus it is a great fight for us fans!

The question I asked is the reason this fight shouldn't happen.

If Kessler wins he'll get no credit they will say that Miranda's only super middleweight victory was against David Banks who really isn't anyone to shake a stick at.

Why doesnt Miranda fight someone like Lidrande?

Thats a good super middleweight fight. Because its NOT a victory for both men. If Kessler beats Miranda now he will get little to no credit and Miranda would be cast aside as a flash in the pan.

[Deanrw]

The question I asked is the reason this fight shouldn't happen.

If Kessler wins he'll get no credit they will say that Miranda's only super middleweight victory was against David Banks who really isn't anyone to shake a stick at.

Why doesnt Miranda fight someone like Lidrande?

Thats a good super middleweight fight. Because its NOT a victory for both men. If Kessler beats Miranda now he will get little to no credit and Miranda would be cast aside as a flash in the pan.

He fought Eric Lucas, Siaca etc in the past three years. I consider Miranda more credible than those guys, even though Siaca held a belt at the time. In fact if you look at Kessler's record, the only name on there that I could positively say is better than Miranda, is Calzaghe. The rest of the names are simply not world beaters. Miranda is not below the level of competition Kessler is used to facing.

[Majesty]

He fought Eric Lucas, Siaca etc in the past three years. I consider Miranda more credible than those guys, even though Siaca held a belt at the time. In fact if you look at Kessler's record, the only name on there that I could positively say is better than Miranda, is Calzaghe. The rest of the names are simply not world beaters. Miranda is not below the level of competition Kessler is used to facing.

The thing is Kessler is held in high regard because of those fights at Super Middleweight and his titles and etc.

The people you are mentioning that Miranda beat was at Middleweight and prior to getting starched by Pavlik.

Miranda's resume didnt mean anything after Pavlik stopped him. He basically has to restart building himself again, and the only name on his resume right noe after getting beaten is Banks. So Kessler has nothing to gain from a victory, if Miranda beats Adrande or someone like that or Lucian Bute, then that fight makes sense. But at this point it really doesnt, Mirands just got to super middleweight and hasnt beaten anyone of notice.

Kessler also has Beyer and Mindine on his record, one who is a current champ and another who was champ when Kessler fought him. Miranda has yet to beat a champion or a future champion. So Kessler got some names on his resume. Until Miranda beats someone close to the level of a Beyer or a Mundine then a Kessler fight should be out of the picture

[Deanrw]

I have a question..

How does beating David Banks qualify Miranda to fight one of the top 3 super middleweights in the world right now?

If that question is answered, I'll jump on the bandwagon for Miranda.

I see it as Kessler wants to fight a high profile American based fighter on American TV. That leaves him with the choices of basically Miranda, Lacy, Taylor or Green.

Lacy is still trying to recapture what he once had and I don't think he is ready. Taylor himself is coming off two losses and deserves an easy fight or two. Green is in a contract dispute and will most likely not be available. That leaves Miranda, who not only wants the fight, but offers a style vastly different than the type of fighter Kessler has faced thus far.

On another note, Kess is coming off a loss himself and IMO, is not in the position to decide if Miranda is worthy of an opponent or not. He needs to Spit or get off the pot!