MIKKEL KESSLER VS GUSMYL PERDERMO & ANDRE WARD VS SHELBY PUDWILL SAT ON SHOWTIME

I think Kessler-Ward is a very interesting fight. Mikkel has the edge in experience and punching power, but Ward is much quicker, uses angles and throws great combinations.

I picked Calzaghe over Kessler largely because he was a lot more dynamic. Kessler is very basic and relies heavily on the standard 1-2 jab right hand. It's much harder to get that working against an opponent that doesn't stand straight in front of you.

This is not to say Ward is on Calzaghe's level but i think he has the tools and style to provide Kessler a lot of problems. The possibility for an upset is certainly there.

 

Kind of a dull night of fights. Of course both Kessler and Ward were made to order for their foes. But of course,it was pretty expected.

I was impressed most with Ward,whom I've never seen with so much charisma as he did last night. It was like someone finally lit an match under his ass. He showed good skills and fast movement. Don't know if it was because he had Pudwill in front of him,or he felt that confident? Probably a little bit of both.

Even thought the last night's fights weren't that good,I'm still happy with this tournament from Showtime.

 

Its a shame it isnt a "great 8" instead. It would be nice if the Bute-Andrade rematch was the 4th fight on the tournement.

 

:bears: Spoken like a true fight fan

 

I don't know...the way Kessler handled Andrade makes me think he isn't qualified.

 

Kessler is no joke here, looking "rusty" while stopping this southpaw chap in 4 doesn't have any bearing on how he will perform against the orthodox Ward. Kess has stopped quite a few more right handers than he has decisioned.

 

Exactly who else was there in the division after Calzaghe left other than Kessler?

I expect Ward to box pretty well against Kessler, but with his lack of power and questionable chin, and over lack of physical strength, he has to be good throughout the fight...and I'm not sure he has the capability - or the stamina and experience - to do it. I'm not that impressed with how he reacts to gets hurt/stunned...and he's not all that great at hiding it, covering up or holding on.

I tend to think Ward will fade in the second half, and that there's a chance this fight could go something along the lines of Trinidad-Reid, with a distinct dichotomy between the first and second halves of the fight.

 

I think this is a very good read on the fight. I believe Ward has a decent chance but he'll have to put on a career best performance. The fight is also being held in the U.S. It might not make any difference but it's one those addtional factors that may be important.

 

It's called a suitcase full of money.

Anyway, that guy was one of the worst pro boxers I've ever seen on tv. His punches looked soft as cotton and rarely ever connected with a full extension on the arm. It was obvious Kessler was rusty and could have put him away whenever he felt like it.