** Official Calzaghe Vs Kessler Thread **

[Ed]

Joe Calzaghe
W43 (32 KO's) | L0 | D0
WBO Super Middleweight Champion

Mikkel Kessler
W39 (29 KO's) | L0 | D0
WBA/WBC Super Middleweight Champion

IT'S ON!!!

November 3rd at the Cardiff Millenium Stadium

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/6280484.stm

The fight
This has to be as big as Mayweather / Hatton and one of very few fights I'm prepared to go ringside and watch. This has to be a 12 rounder with some solid action bringing the best of both of them. Predictions, I'll have to say Calzaghe by moderately close UD just based on being the more experienced. Absolutely CANT WAIT!!!


On a side note
Who's going? I'm desperate to treat the father-in-law who's never been to a live world title fight. He's 74 and can't walk far so I'm hoping the facilities at Cardiff are good. Can anyone recommend a good ticket retailer for this show? I'm looking at buying two ringside seats.

 

[Big Kev]

I'm glad it's finally happening and could be a cracker, but as for two ringside seats, that's going to cost you a serious packet mate, they were £300 each for the Manfredo Jnr fight.

 

[Ed]

I'm glad it's finally happening and could be a cracker

It can't be anything other than a cracker. Both are hard as nails with skill, stamina and desire. This is going to be a classic.

but as for two ringside seats, that's going to cost you a serious packet mate, they were £300 each for the Manfredo Jnr fight.

Got to be worth it though. With train to Cardiff and overnight accommodation it's likely going to be around £450 then. I'd be interested in the undercard for this too, makes it easier to justify the spend but if it's £300 then so be it.

 

[Big Kev]

Got to be worth it though. With train to Cardiff and overnight accommodation it's likely going to be around £450 then. I'd be interested in the undercard for this too, makes it easier to justify the spend but if it's £300 then so be it.

If the demand is going to be like the cup final, I'd get your accomodation booked asap mate, we used to go the Travel Inn route, not very expensive.

 

[Ed]

If the demand is going to be like the cup final, I'd get your accomodation booked asap mate, we used to go the Travel Inn route, not very expensive.

Sounds good to me, cheers.

 

[Smit]

Hopefully Kessler will win and he definitely has the skills to do it but then again Calzaghe has the skills aswell.

I'd give Kessler the advantage in power but Calzaghe is the faster of the two but then again Kessler has a great jab which can negate speed. The main concern for Calzaghe is that he is often left wide open for someone with a well timed stright right hand which is one of Kesslers best/most used punches.

 

[Ed]

Hopefully Kessler will win and he definitely has the skills to do it but then again Calzaghe has the skills aswell.

I'd give Kessler the advantage in power but Calzaghe is the faster of the two but then again Kessler has a great jab which can negate speed. The main concern for Calzaghe is that he is often left wide open for someone with a well timed stright right hand which is one of Kesslers best/most used punches.

Which basically translates to "you don't know who's going to win and can't wait"

It's about time boxing gave us more fights like this.

 

[wordy]

This is gonna be a great fight, can't wait!

As to who'll win, wouldn't like to say, they're the two best in the division.

Thing to remember tho, Lacy was the slight favorite to win when he fought Joe....and we all know what happened to him

 

[Ed]

Thing to remember tho, Lacy was the slight favorite to win when he fought Joe....and we all know what happened to him

Lacy was a product of hype. Kessler is a product of beating strong fighters. This could be a war as neither fighter really gives in and loses heart. Both have had to dig deep to win. I see this as being a classic with Joes usual fantastic conditioning seeing him through to a close UD.

My only concern is Joe's hand.

 

[jdderbys]

Kessler will probably win. I dont rate Joe to be honest. I just think he has an amateur style that most pro's find difficult to negate (fencing, quick combos and then away).

Kessler is a good boxer and can bang so i think he will win either a decision or corner stoppage (if joe is losing and damages his hands i think his dad will pull him out).

Although i will be routing for joe. Iv met him a few times at amateur shows and hes a nice guy and very easy to talk to

 

[Johnnytoxic]

YES !! this is one I've been waiting for. Will cement Joes legacy and shut the naysayers up.

This is one I'll be going to, I didn't go to the manfredo fight as I thought it was a bit of a farce. This is a superfight like Calzaghe - Lacy was at the time.

True undisputed champion if he wins this one.

Anyone else going from here?

 

[Ed]

Kessler will probably win. I dont rate Joe to be honest. I just think he has an amateur style that most pro's find difficult to negate (fencing, quick combos and then away).

Kessler is a good boxer and can bang so i think he will win either a decision or corner stoppage (if joe is losing and damages his hands i think his dad will pull him out).

When has anyone come close to dominating Joe? This will be a close UD either way, most likely to Calzaghe.

Anyone else going from here?

I wanted to go ringside but I'm not paying Franks prices.

 

[Smit]

When has anyone come close to dominating Joe? This will be a close UD either way, most likely to Calzaghe.

I wanted to go ringside but I'm not paying Franks prices.

To be fair he never said that Kessler would dominate Joe.
I'd say it really was a 50/50 fight (depending on the referee ofcourse.. if it's O'Connor then Kessler may aswell just not turn up. Hopefully it's not Vann/Parris/Thomas either).

If it ends in a TKO/KO then I think it's more likely to be Kessler the new undisputed Super Middleweight Champ.
If it goes the distance then I think it's more likely to be Calzaghe that gets the decision based on workrate.

 

[Ed]

If it goes the distance then I think it's more likely to be Calzaghe that gets the decision based on workrate.

I've watched about 5 Kessler fights and probably about 15 of Calzaghes and workrate is the one thing he has over Kessler in spades. Kessler maintains the heat late on but I watch him slow down on the few occasions when the heats on him, something Calzaghe can and will deliver, which is why I see this as a UD to Calzaghe.

It's gonna be a cracker whatever happens!!!

 

[Psycho Ned]

Got some bad news for people who've gotten used to Calzaghes fights on ITV..............Warrens signed a multi fight deal with Setanta and including this fight!

http://www.frankwarren.tv/drill/News/Articles/2007/07/11/text-warren-signs-deal-with-setanta.html

I've been a subscriber for a while so doesn't bother me but I'd imagine some on here aint gonna be happy.

Warrens also signed a new deal for screening Amir Khans fights on ITV so it's not the end for terrestrial boxing.

Oh and to the guy wanting ringside seats.......the top whack tickets are £500 each

 

[Ed]

Oh and to the guy wanting ringside seats.......the top whack tickets are £500 each

I'm not paying that. The moment I saw the ticket prices I spent the money on a week in Spain instead.

 

[wordy]

Lacy was a product of hype. Kessler is a product of beating strong fighters. This could be a war as neither fighter really gives in and loses heart. Both have had to dig deep to win. I see this as being a classic with Joes usual fantastic conditioning seeing him through to a close UD.

My only concern is Joe's hand.

Not sure if he was the purley the product of hype, he was unbeaten up to that point. However don't think we'll be hearing that much about him in the future.

The point I'm trying to make is that Joe tends to fight up to his opponents, fingers crossed he can do the same to Kessler, although I agree he's going to be a different kettle of fish to Lacy.

 

[jdderbys]

Lacy was limited in his skills and was matched in such a way to make money hence was on showtime more often when they were trying to build up exciting boxing coverage to compete with HBO.

This fight will be either be great or really suck but either way the result is more important than any due to joes probabilty of retiring after if he wins this.

Hopkins wont fight him as hes stated he will retire again after fighting winky wright at the weekend