** 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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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!!!

 

[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.