Calzaghe vs. Kessler

[Zerwas]

Actually I wanted to start this thread much erlier, but anyway.....

Calzahge is by far the longest reigning champion today and he faces a very skilled fighter in Kessler....

Over the last years, there has really been a change of generations but it certainly eluded Calzaghe.

He looked teriffic against Lacy, but Kessler is a different fighter.

I think that the time has come for Calzaghe.

Kessler is young and hungry and he's probably more skilled than Calzaghe.

Calzahge enjoys hometwon advantage and has a great workrate, however i think he will have difficulties to figure out Kessler's style.

If he has even remotely slipped or has trouble with his hands, he will be in trouble.

So far he hasnt come close to losing, but so has Kessler...

Kessler is a bit stiff, Calzahge tends to slap.
I see Calzahe as the better infigher, but Kessler is a better at longe range.

Calzaghe set a furious pace against Lacy, but looked subpar against Bika.

Kessler also fought at an - maybe not quite as impressive - pace against Andrade.

In retrospection, I dont see Andrade as an easier opponent, certainly not by much...

Kessler recently turned down an offer from HBO, because he feels the conditions will be even better after he beats Calzahge...shows you the kind of confidence he has.

Taking everything into account, I see this pretty much as a pick'em fight, maybe with a slight edge for Kessler.

==>

My pick is Kessler UD, but the over and draw looks goot to me either.

I cannot see anybody getting stopped early, maybe a little hedge on either fighter in the last few rounds... :shrug:

Thoughts!?

 

[gardenweasel]

i took calzaghe.....i like the fact that he`s a lefty......he`s at least as quick of hand(probably quicker)and definitely has quicker feet....

and mainly,the venue is beyond a huge factor......the venue,imo,changes this from a very close match-up to a decided calzaghe advantage.....

i`ve only seen kessler vs andrade....and i just wasn`t impressed with kessler`s power there...he also slapped an awful lot..........i don`t think he`s the puncher that he`s purported to be.....

i like kessler....he`s very good..real good...nice boxer puncher...they`re both boxer/punchers.....but he`ll have to dominate to get the decision here....and i don`t think he`s THAT good....

i think that if his hands hold up,calzaghe has more tools...he can do more things...

but,i think that kessler will be the sexy pick....

location,location,location.....

he`s not fighting mundine in australia...a nice win,but,"manny siaca" outpointed mundine down under....

one meaningful fight outside denmark.....2 total....i see a temdency for guys with big records to think they`re invulnerable...and they inevitably make bad decisions.....

o`neill bell going to france.....lacy going to the isles....ruiz going to germany to fight the big dude....every dude from new england with an inflated record(manfredo/pemberton/balleto/spina)...... ....


this is a very tall order...

 

[tonymontana]

I took the over ten and a half at -140.

I watched Mundine vs Kessler somedays ago and was very impressed.
One of the best supermiddleweightfights of the last years. Very fast hands and great movement from both fighters. Mundine def won some rounds.

I am a fan of Mundine ever since i saw him against Ottke. He was giving Otkke alot of problems fighting going backwards and outspeeding Ottke until he fatigued and Ottke knocked him out cold.


Very talented fighter. i dont know what happened against siaca but the mundine who fought Kessler was world class.

Calzaghe is getting cocky.

One thing i found intriguing about Kessler he has not lost one round really clear and he has great stamina.

I believe this fight will be close going in the championship rounds.

 

[Zerwas]

Mundine is a very good fighter, I'm not sure if Calzaghe has ever fought such a skilled fighter.

Kessler couldnt train properly for this fight and he still easily won this fight in Mundine's backyard.

 

[Andrey]

I placed my bet on Kessler.

 

[BOXLOCKS]

As posted, I played Calzaghe by 12 rd decision at +209

I'm not predicting the winner, just think there's plenty of value on this play

gl bl

 

[Romi]

I think it's a pic em. I can't see a clear edge for either fighter. Zags has speed, venue and experience on his side with Kessler perhaps an advant in strength, youth and endurance. I was VERY impressed with Kessler v Andrade. Andrade was hell bent on catching up to to the Dane sometime in that fight and Kessler stayed busy and active over the course. Any let up on Kesslers part would have been doom against that guy. The over is the only wager I'd make in this one but as a fight fan, I think I may just sit this out w/the wagers and enjoy one hell of a fight. I think it's the best matchup of the year.

 

[Andrey]

I also think it is pick-em fight. I saw good price on Kessler +152 and took it. Like Boxlocks said good value.

I think it's a pic em. I can't see a clear edge for either fighter. Zags has speed, venue and experience on his side with Kessler perhaps an advant in strength, youth and endurance. I was VERY impressed with Kessler v Andrade. Andrade was hell bent on catching up to to the Dane sometime in that fight and Kessler stayed busy and active over the course. Any let up on Kesslers part would have been doom against that guy. The over is the only wager I'd make in this one but as a fight fan, I think I may just sit this out w/the wagers and enjoy one hell of a fight. I think it's the best matchup of the year.