Kessler/Ward in Oakland

[ryanman]

I'd agree that if Ward beats Kessler he would become a slight favourite for the tournament. But i don't see it happening, i can see Kessler stopping him. If Abraham wins his first fight in good style i think he will have the others feeling very nervous. I think Kessler's biggest worry is Abraham. Froch will also trouble him as their styles should create a real see-saw battle. If i had to bet on the fight of the tournament i would go for Kessler - Froch.

[Rantcatrat]

I'd agree that if Ward beats Kessler he would become a slight favourite for the tournament. But i don't see it happening, i can see Kessler stopping him. If Abraham wins his first fight in good style i think he will have the others feeling very nervous. I think Kessler's biggest worry is Abraham. Froch will also trouble him as their styles should create a real see-saw battle. If i had to bet on the fight of the tournament i would go for Kessler - Froch.

That the fight is in Oakland helps Andre but doesn't hurt Kessler. Kessler is a world class boxer who for years has fought away from home. As a fighter, not much can be more intimidating than fighting Calzaghe in Wales or Mundine in Australia to a lesser extent. No doubt Ward will be Kessler's best opponent since Calzaghe, but that doesn't say much because the class of his recent opponents was very disappointing to say the least. Prior to the Calzaghe fight, Kessler was on a tear. He dominated Mundine, Beyer, and Andrade like nobody else has. Not to make much of it, but rumor also had it that he took the better of Bika in sparring. Now what? He fights Sartison, Haussler, and Perdomo. Something tells me he hasn't been the same since fighting Calzaghe. On the other hand, Ward hasn't fought anyone even near Kessler's level. Miranda was a good win, but Miranda had been broken by Pavlik by that point. Ward has the movement and speed to give Kessler problems. Kessler has the punching power and discipline to give Ward problems too. I think you have to favor Kessler in the fight, but not be surprised if Ward pulled the upset. And now that I consider it - that is how a competitive boxing match should be.

As for the most anticipated match of the tournament, I have to go with Kessler v. Abraham or Ward v. Dirrell.

[HattonTheHammer]

Ward, dirrell will get found out in these early matchups. But for all their athletic prowess and boxing ability they are jumping up 2-3 levels right from the get go and will find themselves in with a whole new level of opponent.

Dirrell has a chance against froch but ward however impressed i was with him saturday night despite the level of opposition is just gonna get worked over by kessler and taken out in 8.

FWIW I also strongly believe taylor will be too strong for AA and will stop him also!!

[Rantcatrat]

Ward, dirrell will get found out in these early matchups. But for all their athletic prowess and boxing ability they are jumping up 2-3 levels right from the get go and will find themselves in with a whole new level of opponent.

Dirrell has a chance against froch but ward however impressed i was with him saturday night despite the level of opposition is just gonna get worked over by kessler and taken out in 8.

FWIW I also strongly believe taylor will be too strong for AA and will stop him also!!

Big statement! Taylor needs to fight for 12 rounds, which he has failed to do in the past. AA punches like a mule. Everyone who has stepped in the ring with him says he is the hardest puncher they have faced. Coupling that with Taylor's questionable chin is a set up for a crippling knockout.

[JazMerkin]

Ward, dirrell will get found out in these early matchups. But for all their athletic prowess and boxing ability they are jumping up 2-3 levels right from the get go and will find themselves in with a whole new level of opponent.

Dirrell has a chance against froch but ward however impressed i was with him saturday night despite the level of opposition is just gonna get worked over by kessler and taken out in 8.

FWIW I also strongly believe taylor will be too strong for AA and will stop him also!!

He beat Edison Miranda with a broken chin. I can't say JT stopping him, although maybe a win on the cards/

[skel1983]

Ward, dirrell will get found out in these early matchups. But for all their athletic prowess and boxing ability they are jumping up 2-3 levels right from the get go and will find themselves in with a whole new level of opponent.

Dirrell has a chance against froch but ward however impressed i was with him saturday night despite the level of opposition is just gonna get worked over by kessler and taken out in 8.

FWIW I also strongly believe taylor will be too strong for AA and will stop him also!!

He beat Edison Miranda with a broken chin. I can't say JT stopping him, although maybe a win on the cards/

No way Taylor stops Abraham, i have Abraham knocking him out late. Taylor has a chance to win on points but no way he knocks out Abraham.

[OumaFan]

Who knows, could be Ward's big night. It wouldn't totally shock me. I do like what they've done with his career. He didn't need every single one of his fights to be on TV, he just needed to work on becoming a more solid fighter, which he definitely looks like he has become.

The problem Ward could have is he's probably the lightest puncher of the whole group. He's gonna have to fight a lot of rounds against good fighters in order to win this thing. But he's a skilled solid fighter which obviously can make up for power.

Abraham's complete lack of energy and activity could help Taylor big time. Granted the safe pick is Abraham late TKO but you never know, if Taylor fought a smart fight (why start now I know) he could maybe hold on late.

This tournament is awesome. End of story.

[HattonTheHammer]

Ward, dirrell will get found out in these early matchups. But for all their athletic prowess and boxing ability they are jumping up 2-3 levels right from the get go and will find themselves in with a whole new level of opponent.

Dirrell has a chance against froch but ward however impressed i was with him saturday night despite the level of opposition is just gonna get worked over by kessler and taken out in 8.

FWIW I also strongly believe taylor will be too strong for AA and will stop him also!!

He beat Edison Miranda with a broken chin. I can't say JT stopping him, although maybe a win on the cards/

No way Taylor stops Abraham, i have Abraham knocking him out late. Taylor has a chance to win on points but no way he knocks out Abraham.

I cant remember seeing abraham throw more than 15 power punches in a single round in the endless fights ive seen him in. And thats with 3rd tier opponents.

Ive said all the way through this thing write jermain off at your peril. Im confident he`ll be too big for a 160pound abraham on the night and AA`s inexperience at the very top level will cost him dear. Taylor will also be able to keep abrahams inside combinations at bay through many stages of the fight with those long arms.

Taylor in 10 - this is the pavlik-hopkins of 2009

[skel1983]

He beat Edison Miranda with a broken chin. I can't say JT stopping him, although maybe a win on the cards/

No way Taylor stops Abraham, i have Abraham knocking him out late. Taylor has a chance to win on points but no way he knocks out Abraham.

I cant remember seeing abraham throw more than 15 power punches in a single round in the endless fights ive seen him in. And thats with 3rd tier opponents.

Ive said all the way through this thing write jermain off at your peril. Im confident he`ll be too big for a 160pound abraham on the night and AA`s inexperience at the very top level will cost him dear. Taylor will also be able to keep abrahams inside combinations at bay through many stages of the fight with those long arms.

Taylor in 10 - this is the pavlik-hopkins of 2009

We have to remember Taylor has a poor record at 168 and has fought most his career at 160, Abraham looked fine at 168 against Miranda when he smashed him to pieces, we will have to see but Taylor stopping him is one outcome I dont see.

[OumaFan]

Taylor stopping him would be much more shocking than what Hopkins did to Pavlik. Size wise, they were both big 160's, Taylor's obviously taller but I don't see either guy being huge at the weight.

He could build up a points lead due to AA's inactivity and use that inactivity to rest a bit at times and maybe hold on late but stopping him is unlikely.

[HattonTheHammer]

No way Taylor stops Abraham, i have Abraham knocking him out late. Taylor has a chance to win on points but no way he knocks out Abraham.

I cant remember seeing abraham throw more than 15 power punches in a single round in the endless fights ive seen him in. And thats with 3rd tier opponents.

Ive said all the way through this thing write jermain off at your peril. Im confident he`ll be too big for a 160pound abraham on the night and AA`s inexperience at the very top level will cost him dear. Taylor will also be able to keep abrahams inside combinations at bay through many stages of the fight with those long arms.

Taylor in 10 - this is the pavlik-hopkins of 2009

We have to remember Taylor has a poor record at 168 and has fought most his career at 160, Abraham looked fine at 168 against Miranda when he smashed him to pieces, we will have to see but Taylor stopping him is one outcome I dont see.

cant really compare miranda to jermain taylor though can you

Sure JTs record at 168 isnt great but he does have the natural physique of a 168 pounder and im quite sure come the night he`ll not only have a few inches height and reach advantage but he`ll also be the heavier guy by a couple of pounds.

This is unchartered territory for abraham and just like froch had to he will have to find that extra 10-15% thats never been there before!!