The hype for this fight was super for a super middle weight fight. HBO really tried to build this fight for everything it was worth. And rightly so I guess seeing the fans thought it was huge with over 50,000 in attendance. Two undefeated fighters (a Dane and a Welsh) squaring off to see who is the real Super Middleweight Champ. Calzaghe held the WBO belt and Kessler held the WBA and WBC belts. When it was all done, Calzaghe had them all three!
Calzaghe was considered to have the faster hand speed and Kessler with the power. Calzaghe sports a southpaw stance, which everyone seems to want to give them an advantage. Kessler outweighed Calzaghe by 1.25 pounds, had a longer reach of 2″, 1″ taller and 7 years younger.
Round 1: Close round to start out. Each look a little nervous but Calzaghe going for the body, keeping the jab going and generally more aggressive. Kessler looking to counter. Round for Calzaghe.
Round 2: Kessler with a few good shots and getting away from the counter mentality to a more aggressive posture. Good round for Kessler.
Round 3: Calzaghe puts Kessler on the ropes and throws wide punches while coming in with his head down. Kessler should shoot the uppercut but doesn’t. Calzaghe wins the round.
Round 4: Finally Kessler throws about 3 uppercuts and scores big. A couple of the uppercuts push Calzaghe back easily. Calzaghe continues with constant pressure and lots of punches. Kessler’s punches doing more damages. Calzaghe starts to hold and appears to be tiring a little. Round for Kessler.
Round 5: Blood under Kessler’s right nostril. Calzaghe with constant pressure and Kessler slowing except at the end of round. Calzaghe gets this round.
Round 6: Calzaghe hitting Kessler at will with little resistance. Calzaghe controlling the jab and using it well this round. Kessler’s corner calling for him to use the uppercut. Another round for Calzaghe.
Round 7: Another typical round for Calzaghe with right to the body followed with a left and right to Kessler’s head. Punches push Kessler back but not much follow-up afterwards. Maybe Calzaghe is resting or still respecting Kessler’s power. Round for Calzaghe.
Round 8: Kessler begins round good but is soon pushed back to the ropes by Calzaghe’s punches. A nice right hand to Kessler’s body which Kessler later admits hurt him. Can you guess who won this round? You got it – Calzaghe.
Round 9: Lots of punches and pressure by Calzaghe and no counters by Kessler. Maybe Calzaghe’s most solid round. Kessler looks defeated in corner between rounds. Calzaghe gets another round.
Round 10: Just figured it out – Kessler is not moving his head (or body) at all. He only goes backwards or just stands and lets Calzaghe’s glove say hi to his face (over and over). Kessler’s left eye really swelling but no ice from the corner (per HBO announcers). Calzaghe has won another.
Round 11: Same beating just more of it by Calzaghe. Kessler’s corner tells him that Calzaghe is suffering! Where did that come from? Yeah, he’s suffering, his hands have got to be killing him with all the punishment that Kessler’s face and body have been dishing out! Do I have to say it again – round to Calzaghe.
Round 12: Lots of desperation punching by Kessler wins him the round. Calzaghe doing lots of avoidance in this round.
Judges scored the fight: 116 – 112; 116 – 112; & 117 – 111 all for Calzaghe.
Commentators make the statement that Calzaghe has been called a slapper rather than a puncher but not in this fight. I saw lots of slapping and punching. Many of his punches come in very wide, especially his body punching. At any rate, his punching was effective and tore Kessler down to his bare bones. Calzaghe found his range and kept Kessler on the outside of his effective range. Calzaghe used decent defense and Kessler didn’t. Calzaghe pushed the tempo and threw lots of punches, Kessler didn’t. Did Calzaghe win the fight on his own merit? You bet! Good fight for Calzaghe.
Does Calzaghe have what it takes to beat Be-Hop? If Hopkins was in his prime, no way. However; there is a chance that Calzaghe might execute the Executioner! I can’t wait to see what happens.
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