Joe Calzaghe vs. Mikkel Kessler

November 3, 2007

OUTCOME: Calzaghe by Decision

ANDY'S PICK: Calzaghe by Decision

THE BET:
5 units on Calzaghe by Decision at +140

THE PAYOUT:
7 units 

 

So aside from being a near shoe-in for fight of the year this epic match-up may also be one of the hardest to pick.  The only thing for sure is that if Calzaghe wins this contest convincingly he can no longer be excluded from the top of the pound-for-pound rankings nor can he be omitted from the list of all-time greats.  Mikkel Kessler, if he is victorious will go from "who is that guy?" to household name.  However, I don't believe the latter will happen.  It's not the home-field advantage that Calzaghe will enjoy, nor is it his slight edge in hand-speed.  In actuality on paper Kessler seems the better fighter, with his seven-year age advantage, vicious right-hand power, brass-chin and supreme boxing skills.  What I believe will prove the difference in this dream pairing is heart.  That edge must go to the Welshman.  If Joe Calzaghe has proved nothing else he has shown the world that he is a true fighter.  When he suffered the first and only knockdown of his career four years ago at the hands of Byron Mitchell, he got off the canvas and put Mitchell away in that same round.  And who can forget the absolute massacre he performed on Jeff Lacy, a fighter whom many thought would put old Joe in a coffin. 

I expect this fight to be a boxing masterpiece with the momentum changing two or three times every round.  Neither fighter will back down, but eventually Calzaghe will begin to befuddle the more conventional Kessler with his superior footwork and the Dane will be hit with  punches in bunches for the first time in his illustrious career.  I see Kessler taking some of the early rounds and Calzaghe coming on strong in the late rounds.  I expect Calzaghe to win by a razor thin margin with the home judging advantage nudging him to a very close but unanimous decision.  Either way fans will be in for a treat and the ailing sport of boxing will get another much needed shot in the arm. 

Comments

[1mp]

you got me psyched for this one. hope it lives up to the hype.