Kessler_Wright in the works

[The Fightfan]

This to me is a dumb fight for Kessler. Very high risk and NO reward. What would be the deal if Kessler beat Winky. Well you beat up on an old Winky right with a long layoff and no one really want's to fight you still so just sit in limbo some more. If he loses my god Kessler was just another plodder with a decent punch. It would be better if Kessler lost then they would pin Pavlik against him. Which to me would be a good fight. Kessler do us a favor say no and hunt Jermain Taylor or Carl Froch down and challenge them.

[Rantcatrat]

This to me is a dumb fight for Kessler. Very high risk and NO reward. What would be the deal if Kessler beat Winky. Well you beat up on an old Winky right with a long layoff and no one really want's to fight you still so just sit in limbo some more. If he loses my god Kessler was just another plodder with a decent punch. It would be better if Kessler lost then they would pin Pavlik against him. Which to me would be a good fight. Kessler do us a favor say no and hunt Jermain Taylor or Carl Froch down and challenge them.

Not that you don't already know this, you probably do, but I think the idea is to get Kessler exposure on american television. Networks will put Winkie on TV. Then, Kessler's following increases and they next pit him against the Taylor/Froch winner in a PPV. Winkie is HOF and marketable.

Don't get me wrong, Bhop may have been a better match, but maybe Kessler's people thought it was too risky.

[Conrad]

I don't see the point in Bhop at all, whether the fight could be made or not.
There's far too many fights to be made at 168 so no point in Kess moving up to fight Bhop.

As with all non US fighters though US TV exposure is critical. Kessler needs it and aside from Taylor I think Winky is one of the very few that can give him that. From a purely boxing standpoint fighting Winky is a no win situation for Kess, but from a finacial/exposure standpoint it makes perfect sense.

I just hope Kess doesn't underestimate Winky and assume he'll be no good due to age and inacticity.

[ross]

I think a better fight for Kessler would be a Miranda match, it would be a fairly exciting name and make Mikkel look like Sugar Ray in comparison

[Clanger]

I think a better fight for Kessler would be a Miranda match, it would be a fairly exciting name and make Mikkel look like Sugar Ray in comparison

Crap fight if you ask me mate.

Kessler will get exposed by anyone decent.

Andrade & Mundine aren't decent.

[Poom]

I think a better fight for Kessler would be a Miranda match, it would be a fairly exciting name and make Mikkel look like Sugar Ray in comparison

Crap fight if you ask me mate.

Kessler will get exposed by anyone decent.

Andrade & Mundine aren't decent.

So he was exposed by Calzaghe ? Are you aware that they fought ?

He gave a very good showing in that and not many people I think lost any respect for him after that, he certainly wasn't 'exposed#

[CFH]

I think a better fight for Kessler would be a Miranda match, it would be a fairly exciting name and make Mikkel look like Sugar Ray in comparison

Crap fight if you ask me mate.

Kessler will get exposed by anyone decent.

Andrade & Mundine aren't decent.

Right... .

[Spicoli]

Agreed with Sweetpea on wanting Kessler vs. Tayor.Has action all over it while it should last and makes all the sense.

If that report is accurate and Wrights intention....with the approval of HBO....is to jump right back in with NO tune up,Imo that smells funny and is a dumb move.17,18 months is a very long time at his age while fighting at such a high level,I think Kessler beats him and will get some needed stateside exposure doing it.I have always respected Wright but at this point,I think this is a case of two fighters going in opposite directions.

[Mikkel_K]

This to me is a dumb fight for Kessler. Very high risk and NO reward. What would be the deal if Kessler beat Winky. Well you beat up on an old Winky right with a long layoff and no one really want's to fight you still so just sit in limbo some more. If he loses my god Kessler was just another plodder with a decent punch. It would be better if Kessler lost then they would pin Pavlik against him. Which to me would be a good fight. Kessler do us a favor say no and hunt Jermain Taylor or Carl Froch down and challenge them.

Not that you don't already know this, you probably do, but I think the idea is to get Kessler exposure on american television. Networks will put Winkie on TV. Then, Kessler's following increases and they next pit him against the Taylor/Froch winner in a PPV. Winkie is HOF and marketable.

Don't get me wrong, Bhop may have been a better match, but maybe Kessler's people thought it was too risky.

[This rant is not directly aimed at the quoted posts]

First of all Winky is not a gimme fight. I fancy Kessler's chances (mostly because of size and Winky's layoff), but it would be a good win and arguably the best in Kessler's career (depending on how Winky looks). It would also be a better win than Froch, although Froch's stock is certainly on the rise.

Second, people are way overrating Kessler's marketability. No way Kessler-Froch is PPV in the US. Hell, there is not even a way that Taylor-Kessler gets to PPV. Also, Kessler has publicly stated on numerous occasions that they would like Bhop, but why should Bhop fight him? Kessler is simply not marketable not for the risk he brings. If Kessler beats Winky and looks good in the process - on HBO no less - surely he will have a hell of lot better bargaining position.

Third, it always frustrates me when people argue that fighters are better merely due to more US exposure. Like how Bika is great (hey, he won The Contender), while Mundine is apparently not even decent, and (unknown in the US) euro fighters by definition crap. If people dont know fighters, then they should not be capable of dismissing them sight unseen.

[kingfrnk]

This to me is a dumb fight for Kessler. Very high risk and NO reward. What would be the deal if Kessler beat Winky. Well you beat up on an old Winky right with a long layoff and no one really want's to fight you still so just sit in limbo some more. If he loses my god Kessler was just another plodder with a decent punch. It would be better if Kessler lost then they would pin Pavlik against him. Which to me would be a good fight. Kessler do us a favor say no and hunt Jermain Taylor or Carl Froch down and challenge them.

i would much rather see him fight winky than another bullshit mandatory. i really doubt he would even go near Taylor its like he doesnt know they exist if he doesnt fight a top 5 SMW in his next fight i would lose all interest in him. Hell i wouldnt even mind him fighting Bika.