Calzaghe-Kessler breakdown
CARDIFF, Wales – Unbeaten super middleweight champions Joe Calzaghe (43-0, 32 KOs) and Mikkel Kessler (39-0, 29 KOs) will square off Saturday before an expected crowd of about 50,000 at Millennium Stadium for the WBA-WBC-WBO belts in a fight being broadcast live on HBO. Here are the keys to victory for each man:
Keys to victory | ||
CALZAGHE’S KEYS | KESSLER'S KEYS | |
1. Double jab: Calzaghe is most effective when he doubles or triples on his jab, which opens opponents for other punches. | 1. Lead with the right: Kessler has a hard and accurate straight right, which he can pop over Calzaghe's jab if he's quick with it. | |
2. Change directions: Kessler tends to fight in straight lines, so if Calzaghe can keep changing directions, he'll force Kessler to reset frequently. | 2. The old 1-2: Every jab Kessler throws should be followed by a straight right. | |
3. Hook to the body and head: Calzaghe has a good, hard hook, which he can make more effective by going down and then up with it. | 3. Back Calzaghe up: Calzaghe hasn't proven he can fight well going backwards. | |
4. Stay off the ropes: Calzaghe's hand speed is neutralized and the hard-hitting Kessler will get the opportunity to pound away if Calzaghe is trapped. | 4. High pace: It's been a battle for Calzaghe to make weight. Kessler should try to keep the pace quick to test Calzaghe's conditioning and will. | |
Rating the fighters | ||||||
Comparison of Joe Calzaghe and Mikkel Kessler on a rating of 1 to 10 in several key categories: | ||||||
CATEGORY | JOE CALZAGHE | MIKKO KESSLER | IOLE’S SKINNY | |||
Punching power | 8 | 9 | Juan hits harder than people think | |||
Jab | 9 | 8 | Calzaghe's jab is fast, hard and accurate. | |||
Body attack | 8 | 8 | A body attack could decide the outcome. | |||
Speed and quickness | 9 | 7 | Hand speed is perhaps Calzaghe's biggest advantage. | |||
Defense | 8 | 8 | Calzaghe has been hit more recently, a bad sign. | |||
Chin | 6 | 8 | Calzaghe has gone down against men not considered great punchers. | |||
Stamina | 9 | 9 | Kessler looks magnificent. | |||
Corner | 7 | 7 | Each has had the same chief trainer for his entire career. | |||
Intangibles | 9 | 8 | The home crowd may be the difference. | |||
Total | 73 | 72 | Calzaghe has more ways to win and, with a home crowd spurring him on, should pull out a unanimous decision. | |||
