Quote Originally Posted by RozzySean View Post
This is going to be a better fight than some people think. Ward is fast and skilled. No offense to Andrade, but Ward will be his second best opponent, his second fastest opponent, and in he will be the best conventional style fighter he has faced. Andrade was pretty easy puzzle to solve for Kessler and Kessler was tough enough to stand up to the pressure. He's on the road, which won't phase him, but it will probably cost him 1-2 rounds, depending on the style of the fight. At 116-112 performance will leave him open to bad decision, and I think a fight that is accurately scored 116-112 is a real possibility.

Also, has Kessler ever had his chin really checked? He's been so dominant and fought so few quality fighters. Andrade barely touched him. That was a boxing clinic. Only Andrade's granite jaw kept him in the fight. Joe C can't punch. Mundine can't punch. Ward's not the biggest hitter, but he probably has the best chance of hurting Kessler of anybody he has fought.

I still pick Kessler, but it's not gonna be a cakewalk.
Ward can't punch. It's actually one of his flaws. Although Kessler hasn't been sparked, I'm not sure Ward is the one to do it unless it is from an accumulation of punches.

Quote Originally Posted by Fenster View Post
Quote Originally Posted by Rantcatrat View Post
Quote Originally Posted by Fenster View Post
Kessler will get disgracefully robbed.

There is NO CHANCE the No.1 European is getting the decision in the American's backyard after the humiliation of Team USA in the first two fights.

Even if Kessler KO's Ward they'll DQ him. Fact.
Fenster, that is ridiculous. Dirrell and Froch was a very close fight that many people had going against the European, and the European won.

Kessler is also the favorite and a great ambassador of the sport regardless of his ethnic breakdown. He could be a crossover star. An american bias wouldn't prevent Kessler from winning it all. Now, if Froch was fighting in Oakland after the Dirrell fight, we can talk. Not that I agree, but we can talk.
One of Showtime's major selling points is USA vs Europe. The American's need help to get a point on the board.

I truly wish boxing wasn't a corrupt, vile sport where no man can ever lose without a plethora of excuses, but that's just the way it is.

I can see the "Kessler was robbed" threads a mile off.

Revenge robbery - like Ouma said.
Why didn't Dirrell get the nod if the USA v. Europe rivalry is one of the big selling points? Abraham had already knocked Taylor out by the time of the Froch fight.

The top European, the boxer most pick as the favorite of the tournament, is the first European to fight on American shores in the tournament. Not the best way to salvage an American win in the first round. If this was some conspiracy and they were setting up an American win, wouldn't they have had Froch heading to Oakland and Dirrell fighting Kessler in Denmark?

I tip my hat to Kessler. He is the champion and is heading half-way across the globe to Ward's hometown to defend his belt. Props. That said, I'm sure it is because he is confident he'll win. Otherwise, he'd demand his first fight to be in Copenhagen or Germany.