Froch-Kessler - who wins? (poll)

[Bomp]

Do we all agree that Kessler was very much overrated if he loses to Froch on Saturday?

I mean its always easier with 20/20 hindsight, but the guy has never beat a top level guy. He lost to Calzaghe, took three gimme fights, and then lost to Ward. And now if he loses to Froch, which many don't feel is a top level guy (I disagree there but that is a different conversation), he is 0-3 against top competition. Clearly, he can beat the Andrades and Beyers of the world, but he isn't good enough to beat the top guys. That much we'll know.

On the three gimme fights I think were out of his control, had to risk being sued to get in the super 6 even though he had the title to begin with so would be harsh to say he ducked anyone, especially considering he's had 3 big away fights as a champ.

Rather than overrated I'd say he didn't live up to his potential if he loses again, while Ward fought a good fight IMO the result had more to do with Kess being out of sorts, whether that was temporary or permenant we'll find out on Saturday.

Kessler is back in the game if he dominates Froch.

All I'm saying is that a lot of people had him as the guy to beat in the tournament before it started when he had never actually beat a top level guy. Then when he faced another top level guy in Ward, he was beat yet again.

And now Ward is the man in the division, but Ward only has a win over Kessler who has never beat a top guy. Ward's win over Kessler will look better if Kessler beats Froch and worse if he doesn't. I'd go as far to say that there is a strong argument that Froch deserves the top spot if Kessler loses on Saturday. If that happens, Froch's wins are definitely better than Ward's thus far. I'd take wins over Kessler, Dirrell, Taylor, and Pascal over Ward's wins any day of the week. We can all agree on that, right?

Maybe he didn't live up to potential, but at the same time most people were still overrating him...if he loses.

Every fighter in the sm tournament had zero wins over 'elite' sm fighters. It's easy to overrate a fighter atfer one good win which is what I think ur gettin at with Ward and I agree. Suddenly after JT 'beat' B-Hop he was called 'Undisputed' middle champ, but u should be beatin ALL/MOST the sompetition to claim that, u don't claim the wins your oppponent had like a game of conkers. Then Pavlik beats JT and he's the next demi-god but then he's thrashed by Hop and the fan who wants to easily quantify victories and add them up is all wrong (after reading again dont think I made much sense but hey )

I agree though that if Kess loses then he showed without doubt that he was too mentally fragile to overcome adversity and be a true player at the top.

[Kev]

On the three gimme fights I think were out of his control, had to risk being sued to get in the super 6 even though he had the title to begin with so would be harsh to say he ducked anyone, especially considering he's had 3 big away fights as a champ.

Rather than overrated I'd say he didn't live up to his potential if he loses again, while Ward fought a good fight IMO the result had more to do with Kess being out of sorts, whether that was temporary or permenant we'll find out on Saturday.

Kessler is back in the game if he dominates Froch.

All I'm saying is that a lot of people had him as the guy to beat in the tournament before it started when he had never actually beat a top level guy. Then when he faced another top level guy in Ward, he was beat yet again.

And now Ward is the man in the division, but Ward only has a win over Kessler who has never beat a top guy. Ward's win over Kessler will look better if Kessler beats Froch and worse if he doesn't. I'd go as far to say that there is a strong argument that Froch deserves the top spot if Kessler loses on Saturday. If that happens, Froch's wins are definitely better than Ward's thus far. I'd take wins over Kessler, Dirrell, Taylor, and Pascal over Ward's wins any day of the week. We can all agree on that, right?

Maybe he didn't live up to potential, but at the same time most people were still overrating him...if he loses.

Every fighter in the sm tournament had zero wins over 'elite' sm fighters. It's easy to overrate a fighter atfer one good win which is what I think ur gettin at with Ward and I agree. Suddenly after JT 'beat' B-Hop he was called 'Undisputed' middle champ, but u should be beatin ALL/MOST the sompetition to claim that, u don't claim the wins your oppponent had like a game of conkers. Then Pavlik beats JT and he's the next demi-god but then he's thrashed by Hop and the fan who wants to easily quantify victories and add them up is all wrong (after reading again dont think I made much sense but hey )

I agree though that if Kess loses then he showed without doubt that he was too mentally fragile to overcome adversity and be a true player at the top.

You do if you're Nonito Donaire.

[Gandalf]

This is a fight where I am somewhat torn. I originally wanted Kessler to win the tournament, but I like Froch's determination a lot too. The man keeps on winning with everyone writing him off beforehand. I think he did beat Dirrell too and struggle to see the controversy in that one. Froch keeps on finding a way to finish on top. This is a tough fight though. Kessler at his best is really very good and everyone is writing him off based on the Ward fight. Kessler had a real off night though and I don't think that would go the same way if they met again. So no predictions from me, I just want to see a good scrap.

[ross]

For whoever said Kessler hasnt fought, or sorry beaten top comp.

Andrade was ranked in the top ten, so was Beyer, Mundine and Siaca

Also, Kessler had to beat a defending champion to get his belt to start with.

Kessler has much more experience but I really believe that he was so confident in his ability that Calzaghe beating him the way he did has left doubts in Kesslers head.

Eitehr way, kessler will still put up a fight and if he gets in a groove early, finding homes for his punches, then Froch is in trouble. Kessler isnt a washed up middle weight, or inexperienced novice. The only thing going against Kessler is if hes in a weak state of mind but a couple of good rounds could erase all that

[Rantcatrat]

For whoever said Kessler hasnt fought, or sorry beaten top comp.

Andrade was ranked in the top ten, so was Beyer, Mundine and Siaca

Also, Kessler had to beat a defending champion to get his belt to start with.

Kessler has much more experience but I really believe that he was so confident in his ability that Calzaghe beating him the way he did has left doubts in Kesslers head.

Eitehr way, kessler will still put up a fight and if he gets in a groove early, finding homes for his punches, then Froch is in trouble. Kessler isnt a washed up middle weight, or inexperienced novice. The only thing going against Kessler is if hes in a weak state of mind but a couple of good rounds could erase all that

And those were all quality wins, but at the end of the day, those are all good-but-not-great fighters. I mean Bute has wins over guys that are easily just as good. Froch has wins over better fighters and he's never lost.

Let's just say this: a win over Froch will be Kessler's greatest accomplishment, but a win over Kessler won't be Froch's.

[ross]

For whoever said Kessler hasnt fought, or sorry beaten top comp.

Andrade was ranked in the top ten, so was Beyer, Mundine and Siaca

Also, Kessler had to beat a defending champion to get his belt to start with.

Kessler has much more experience but I really believe that he was so confident in his ability that Calzaghe beating him the way he did has left doubts in Kesslers head.

Eitehr way, kessler will still put up a fight and if he gets in a groove early, finding homes for his punches, then Froch is in trouble. Kessler isnt a washed up middle weight, or inexperienced novice. The only thing going against Kessler is if hes in a weak state of mind but a couple of good rounds could erase all that

And those were all quality wins, but at the end of the day, those are all good-but-not-great fighters. I mean Bute has wins over guys that are easily just as good. Froch has wins over better fighters and he's never lost.

Let's just say this: a win over Froch will be Kessler's greatest accomplishment, but a win over Kessler won't be Froch's.

My point was that those names were in the top 10 of supermiddles, not just the belts top tens either, whereas Pascal, Taylor and Dirrell werent in the top ten.

[GAME]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_FYxxMpRfI

Noisy weigh in. Both guys make weight and both look great particluarly Kessler.

[Rantcatrat]

On the three gimme fights I think were out of his control, had to risk being sued to get in the super 6 even though he had the title to begin with so would be harsh to say he ducked anyone, especially considering he's had 3 big away fights as a champ.

Rather than overrated I'd say he didn't live up to his potential if he loses again, while Ward fought a good fight IMO the result had more to do with Kess being out of sorts, whether that was temporary or permenant we'll find out on Saturday.

Kessler is back in the game if he dominates Froch.

All I'm saying is that a lot of people had him as the guy to beat in the tournament before it started when he had never actually beat a top level guy. Then when he faced another top level guy in Ward, he was beat yet again.

And now Ward is the man in the division, but Ward only has a win over Kessler who has never beat a top guy. Ward's win over Kessler will look better if Kessler beats Froch and worse if he doesn't. I'd go as far to say that there is a strong argument that Froch deserves the top spot if Kessler loses on Saturday. If that happens, Froch's wins are definitely better than Ward's thus far. I'd take wins over Kessler, Dirrell, Taylor, and Pascal over Ward's wins any day of the week. We can all agree on that, right?

Maybe he didn't live up to potential, but at the same time most people were still overrating him...if he loses.

Every fighter in the sm tournament had zero wins over 'elite' sm fighters. It's easy to overrate a fighter atfer one good win which is what I think ur gettin at with Ward and I agree. Suddenly after JT 'beat' B-Hop he was called 'Undisputed' middle champ, but u should be beatin ALL/MOST the sompetition to claim that, u don't claim the wins your oppponent had like a game of conkers. Then Pavlik beats JT and he's the next demi-god but then he's thrashed by Hop and the fan who wants to easily quantify victories and add them up is all wrong (after reading again dont think I made much sense but hey )

I agree though that if Kess loses then he showed without doubt that he was too mentally fragile to overcome adversity and be a true player at the top.

Although I agree with you to an extent, I would argue that we don't know how quality Ward's win was. Maybe Kessler wasn't a win over an elite fighter? I mean Kessler has never beat an elite fighter himself. Froch would be his biggest win. Right?

Kessler reestablishes himself if he beats Froch.

I love this fight because it is a big-time Crossroads fight for both guys. If Kessler loses, his career as a top guy is done. It wouldn't be a stretch if depending on his showing in the Ward fight, and I bet he gives a better showing of himself than Kessler, which wouldn't be difficult mind you, Green may very possibly beat Kessler in their fight. Kessler enters the tournament as the top guy and leaves as the bottom guy. If he beats Froch, he is right back in the mix, if not one of the top guys.

Then again, if Froch wins, he catapults to the top spot. I like wins over Kessler, Dirrell, Taylor, and Pascal more than Ward's wins over Kessler, Green (theoretically), and Miranda. If Froch loses, it's not as much of a big deal because of his other wins, but it makes his Abraham fight huge for him. And if he gets knocked out it may take a lot out of his mental game, which is in my opinion, maybe his biggest strength.