Kessler - When does his MIA status and lack of quality opponents affect his ranking?

[AGM]

It sucks that Kess is caught up in this legal battle. Palle is a ruthless piece of shit. I guess we should be thankful that Mikkel has kept going along with things so far against his will as it'd be terrible to see another Mads Larsen situation. This pointless WBA madatory goes to purse bid at the end of July so he'll be fighting Perdomo (who?) next, whilst Palle still insists he has upto 2 more fights after that to fulfil his contract.

Part of me agrees that he should be dropped from the number 1 spot, behind Froch and Bute. They're both more active, fighting the higher calibre opponents and they're free to take on any bouts at their will. But then on the flip side, when I imagine either of those fighters going up against Kess I can't see them giving him a problem. Froch would get whipped by Kessler imo, and Bute would most probably fall late in the fight.

[C-Lo]

I never thought of it that way! I always believed Kessler is the best in the division, but he has to prove it to hold that rating. I'm really upset about his opposition lately. He must've taken that Calzaghe loss a lot harder than we all thought. He needs to get a bunch of "tune-ups" out of the way so his confidence is completely back.

[pacman79]

Joe Calzaghe said he wants to promote him

a bit ironic for Froch if it happens ........

Froch vs Kessler with Calzaghe in Kessler's corner!

[THE THIRD MAN]

Joe Calzaghe said he wants to promote him

a bit ironic for Froch if it happens ........

Froch vs Kessler with Calzaghe in Kessler's corner!

What Joe Calzaghe should do is fight him again!

[TheDemolitionDan]

Right now I would say Kessler is 3rd in the division. Bute is the best along with Froch as number 2. While Dirrell and Ward are knocking on the door.

[bzkfn]

Right now I would say Kessler is 3rd in the division. Bute is the best along with Froch as number 2. While Dirrell and Ward are knocking on the door.

This is spot on for me. Bute is more established as a champion than Froch right now, so he's in the #1 position.

[jangeorg]

When Kessler turned pro in the late 90's he signed a contract with Mogens Palle, because at that time (and now) he was the only major player in Denmark who could build up Kesslers career.
Mogens Palle however is a ruthless C***, who always writes in an insurance policy in his contracts with his fighters, to make sure they don't walk out on him.
The terms have been different, but the outline pretty much the same:
If the fighter breaks the contract with Palle, he will suffer a quarantine from fighting (usually 2 years, only starting when the fighter is no longer ranked in any of the federations), and cannot sign with another promoter until after the quarantine.
This is exactly what happened to Mads Larsen. He walked out on Palle, had to do the time, and is now struggling to get back on top, while he wasted his prime in quarantine.

So for the young fighters in Denmark, you're pretty much screwed, 'cause there is only Palle, and if you don't like his terms, well... Don't sign the contract, and don't get any fights....

So.....
All this crap about Kessler should do this or that.....
Well, he is effectively at Palles mercy now.
Their contract gives Palle the promoting rights for Kesslers next 3 voluntary defenses of the WBA-strap, and if Kessler doesn't like the opposition, well, then he can walk....
-Right into the quarantine stated in the contract he signed himself....

The only hope for Kessler is, that Palle is tired of this circus as well, and will accept a single sum from Kessler (and maybe a future promoter), thus buying him out of the contract.
With the money Kessler has earned over the years, I guess he could pay a decent amount, and Kessler does represent a good investment for any promoter

[skel1983]

Joe Calzaghe said he wants to promote him

a bit ironic for Froch if it happens ........

Froch vs Kessler with Calzaghe in Kessler's corner!

In all truth Calzaghe couldnt organise a piss up in the pub, his latest show in wales was cancelled because of the lack of intrest, Calzaghe couldnt promote Kessler, i really cant see Calzaghe doing much in the promotional buisiness if im honest maybe on a welsh level but not even on a british level.

[jangeorg]

Joe Calzaghe said he wants to promote him

a bit ironic for Froch if it happens ........

Froch vs Kessler with Calzaghe in Kessler's corner!

In all truth Calzaghe couldnt organise a piss up in the pub, his latest show in wales was cancelled because of the lack of intrest, Calzaghe couldnt promote Kessler, i really cant see Calzaghe doing much in the promotional buisiness if im honest maybe on a welsh level but not even on a british level.

I agree,Calzaghe probably isn't the best choice of promoters, but at least this shows Kessler hasn't been forgotten

[skel1983]

Joe Calzaghe said he wants to promote him

a bit ironic for Froch if it happens ........

Froch vs Kessler with Calzaghe in Kessler's corner!

In all truth Calzaghe couldnt organise a piss up in the pub, his latest show in wales was cancelled because of the lack of intrest, Calzaghe couldnt promote Kessler, i really cant see Calzaghe doing much in the promotional buisiness if im honest maybe on a welsh level but not even on a british level.

I agree,Calzaghe probably isn't the best choice of promoters, but at least this shows Kessler hasn't been forgotten

I realyl hope we see Kessler soon i mean he did all the hard work by getting a couple of fights on HBO and now its going to waste i bet he is really pissed off right now, i reckon he should fight Bika as a sort of keep busy fight before mixing with Froch and Butes of this world

[Kel]

Joe Calzaghe said he wants to promote him

a bit ironic for Froch if it happens ........

Froch vs Kessler with Calzaghe in Kessler's corner!

In all truth Calzaghe couldnt organise a piss up in the pub, his latest show in wales was cancelled because of the lack of intrest, Calzaghe couldnt promote Kessler, i really cant see Calzaghe doing much in the promotional buisiness if im honest maybe on a welsh level but not even on a british level.

I never thought he would, I don't want to sound like I'm insulting him but he does not strike me as an intelligent business man, I actually think he is a bit thick.

[JazMerkin]

At the moment he's at #2 for me. I think Bute is the best there at 168 right now, followed by Kessler. Have Andrade at #3 because of the controversial nature of his defeat to Bute. Froch at #4 because I didn't rate Jermain Taylor that highly at 168 off the back of a win over Jeff Lacy. Then Sakio Bika at #5, because anyone with a wife that hideous deserves at least a little support from us fans. Ok fine, Jermain Taylor it is then.