Joe Calzaghe Too Slick For Mikkel Kessler
By Frank Gonzalez Jr. - November 3rd 2007 - Photo by Sumio Yamada - Saturday night in Cardiff Wales, reigning WBO Super Middleweight Champion, Joe Calzaghe (44-0, 32 KO’s) treated his loyal hometown fans at the Cardiff Stadium to the toughest fight of his career, taking on the younger and arguably stronger, WBC Champion, Mikkel Kessler (39-1, 29 KO’s) of Denmark.
Once again, Joe Calzaghe proved he is the best fighter in his weight class as he used speedy hands, tricky ring generalship, toughness and a vast array of punches to tame the technically sound Mikkel Kessler during the course of 12 exciting rounds.
Late 2007 has been good to boxing fans. Fights like Calzaghe vs. Kessler is boxing the way it ought to be. This is what raises Boxing’s stock in the minds of even casual sports fans. As a fan who constantly advocates for unification bouts, I want to give a shout out to the people who made this fight possible. Lets hope this trend continues.
The Fight:
In the first round, Calzaghe applied pressure early and was able to touch Kessler on occasion but after tasting Kessler’s power, Calzaghe settled down a bit and seemed to reassess his approach. Both guys landed some shots during the feel out moments of the beginning. Calzaghe was busier and delivered a couple of decent body shots to tip the round in his favor. 10-9 Calzaghe.
Round Two
The second round began a little wildly until the ref warned Calzaghe for hitting behind the head during clinches. Kessler looked very sharp and landed the cleaner shots in the second round. Calzaghe held his own and it was close, but I thought Kessler’s punches did more damage. 10-9 Kessler.
Round Three
They boxed and brawled to start the third, with Kessler going down to the canvas, compliments of a slip, which was rightly ruled as such. Calzaghe pressed Kessler with punches from all angles but wasn’t connecting squarely. Kessler was unflinching and crisp. He landed some good shots but Calzaghe took them well and even turned the pace in his favor late in the round.
10-9 Calzaghe.
Round Four
Kessler rocked Calzaghe during a brawling moment early in the fourth. He also landed a pair of upper cuts that stunned Joe, who was aware of the shifting momentum and Kessler was finding that his uppercuts were working well. Calzaghe stayed busy enough to keep it close but Kessler landed the more telling blows in the fourth. 10-9 Kessler.
Round Five
Lots of back and forth action as both took turns controlling the tempo. Calzaghe was landing more but Kessler was landing cleaner. Calzaghe stepped up the pace right before Kessler’s nose started to bleed. Calzaghe was beating Kessler to the punch and dictating the pace. 10-9 Calzaghe.
Round Six
Calzaghe was landing lots of ‘slappy’ shots which were taking a toll on the chiseled Kessler, who was moving slower and throwing less. Calzaghe made it a boxing match and he was winning the round by landing more and controlling the action. Kessler looked frustrated. 10-9 Calslappy.
Round Seven
Kessler landed a strong series of punches but Calzaghe took them well and whacked Kessler with some punishing shots that had the crowd roaring. Hell of a fight. Kessler imposed his will and landed some good shots himself, making the seventh tough to score for me so I called it even, 10-10.
Round Eight
Kessler’s corner implored him to be more aggressive going into the eighth. Calzaghe went back to his unorthodox style of boxing and countered many of Kessler’s shots. During one rally, Kessler teed off on Calzaghe, who came back with an effective rally of his own. What a fight! Calzaghe went after the body and was going on the attack when the referee warned Calzaghe about hitting and holding. Though Kessler did well, Calzaghe stole it with a show of huge heart, chin, stamina and will. Great round. 10-9 Calzaghe.
Round Nine
Calzaghe was in charge by this time. Kessler was more dangerous at that point as his corner was telling him he needed to do more and that he was losing the fight. Mikkel was hunting for the big punch that would end things but Calzaghe out boxed him and neutralized Kessler’s ability to do any real damage. 10-9 Calzaghe.
Round Ten
Calzaghe was flirting with losing a point as he hit Kessler again behind the head (he’d been warned for that too a couple of times already by referee, Mike Ortega). Kessler was out of his game plan and slipping into desperation mode as he sought to slug it out with Calzaghe, who was the superior fighter with the quicker hands and cagey ability to always get the last word in punch wise. 10-9 Calzaghe.
Round Eleven
More of the same, with Calzaghe always winning the exchanges and Kessler unable to catch him with anything significant. Calzaghe displayed amazing agility and tenacity in the eleventh round and Kessler wasn’t able to hurt him—as he so desperately tried. 10-9 Calzaghe.
Round Twelve
A brawl. Kessler was loading up with every punch, giving every bit of his energy to turn things around in his last chance to win the fight. Kessler managed to land a few big shots but Calzaghe ignored the pain and returned fire.
At the bell, they hugged, in show of respect and admiration. This was the toughest fight of Joe Calzaghe’s career, as it was for Kessler’s. In the battle of speed vs. power, speed set the tone and won the fight.
* *
The official Judges scored it; 117-112 and 116-112 twice all in favor of Joe Calzaghe, who is now the closest to being the undisputed Super Middleweight Champion of the World. (There’s still the IBF Title if he’s to have all four of the most recognized belts.)at
Calzaghe was pure class during the post fight interview, crediting his opponent and admitting that Kessler rocked him a few times. Kessler was equally gracious. He said he’d like a rematch where he could employ a different tactic.
Congratulations to Joe Calzaghe! This man continues to surprise his critics with dominating performances. The official scores don’t reflect what a tremendous fight this was.
Congratulations also to Mikkel Kessler, who showed big heart and plenty of quality against the best man in the division. This loss can only make the 28 year-old Kessler an even better fighter. I can’t wait to see him fight again. I don’t think he should chase a rematch with Calzaghe just yet though.
Calzaghe has a more lucrative fight in mind then a rematch with Kessler for his next appearance. He’s been talking for some time about wanting to fight Bernard Hopkins (who has more experience fighting smaller men).
Chad Dawson might make for an interesting match should Joe decide to fight in the States in his next appearance. But why would he come to the USA when he can fill an entire Stadium in Cardiff Wales and still be televised in every market on the planet? Besides, Dawson would be lucky for the opportunity to fight Calzaghe, regardless of the location.
There’s also Kelly Pavlik, who knocked out Jermain Taylor recently to become the best recognized Middleweight Champion in the World. That could be an interesting fight. I think Calzaghe is too fast for Pavlik. But Pavlik has good boxing skills, uses his jab nicely to keep opponents at a favorable range. As much as I like Pavlik, I doubt his long jab dictates the pace to Joe Calzaghe. It would be interesting to watch him try though.
Kessler’s people should consider going after the only other Super Middleweight Title unclaimed by Calzaghe—the IBF version, which is currently the property of Lucien Bute of Canada by way of Romania (21-0, 17 KO’s). If they can’t get Bute, Kessler will have to find another way to get a title. Maybe lose a few pounds and go to Middleweight or gain a few and go up to Light Heavyweight.
But…can you imagine Hopkins vs. Calzaghe? Two guys whose modus operandi is to disrupt the boxing skills of their opponent. Both schooled in the art of getting away with little fouls that subtly influence outcomes. It might be a very boring fight unless one of them finds a way to impose his will on the other and administer a beating.
It would be interesting to see two guys who’ve never been ‘beaten up,’ battling it out. I’d lean towards Calzaghe because he’s more athletic, throws more punches from more angles, has great head movement and ring smarts. Bernard could counter punch well enough to force Calzaghe into a chess match that gives B Hop the advantage—while putting the crowd to sleep.
Both are geniuses in their art. Hopkins would probably have to fight a faster paced style, which favors Calzaghe. Neither are big punchers. Both have unique styles. Calzaghe is a voluminous puncher and Hopkins has a way of hurting opponents during clinches on the opposite side of the referee. Hopkins has made fouling into an almost acceptable art form. It could get ugly but still turn out to be a great fight after all!
Calzaghe - Kessler: Kessler’s "O" Goes
 By Ted Sares: Back some time ago I predicted the outcome as follows:
The Predicted Outcome: Calzaghe does not have the one-punch power of Kessler and this could prove pivotal for Mikkel. On balance, however, I see Calzaghe getting into his rhythm early and avoiding Kessler bombs with great ring movement and acumen. I see him peppering the Dane with enough punches, many in lightening combinations, to gain a close decision. That said, the fight has the potential to be overly strategic and cerebral and this could translate to something other than the exciting engagement most are expecting or at least hoping for. Heck, the odds on this fight going the distance have to be pretty darn good..
The bookmakers have made Calzaghe a 1/2 favorite coming in, likely influenced by the fact the bout's location is in Cardiff where some 70, 000 fans will be screaming their support at the Millennium Stadium. Reportedly, about 5,000 Danish fans will be making the journey, and I may be joining them as well (coming by way of Geneva).
My heart says Kessler; my brain says Calzaghe by close decision, though, as I said, a draw is a distinct possibility.
The Actual Outcome
Well, tonight was the night and the excitement in the build up to the fight was palpable. As for the result, I had the outcome right, but not the way it was achieved. It was an exciting fight and the well prepared and crafty Calzaghe dominated, demonstrating great hand speed, a rock solid chin, superb stamina, great focus, willingness to take risks, and the ability to let his hands go. All in all, Joe Calzaghe clearly deserved his unanimous win. He truly is a great fighter.
As for the heavy-handed Mikkel who started well, he certainly did not disgrace himself, but he had no answers for the Welshman after the fourth stanza when Joe took control and dictated the pace pretty much the rest of the way.
Oh yes, some unsolicited advice to Bernard Hopkins: don’t fight Joe Calzaghe.
Calzaghe Sets His Sights On Hopkins
 By Matthew Hurley: After turning back the spirited challenge of Mikkel Kessler undisputed super middleweight boxing champion Joe Calzaghe made it known that he intends to move up to the light heavyweight division and try to secure a match with Bernard Hopkins.
A Calzaghe – Hopkins fight has been brewing for years but depending on whom you talk to either Hopkins continually priced himself out of the match and refused to fight in Europe or Calzaghe did exactly the same in regards to money and refused to fight in the United States. Ultimately though, in years past, it would have been Hopkins who would be challenging for Calzaghe’s title. So it seemed reasonable, at least in Calzaghe’s eyes, that the challenger should come to him.
Now Calzaghe will be moving up to a division that he has never fought in and one in which Hopkins is, for the moment, generally regarded as the true champion. So how will the terms of this long awaited showdown be dictated?
Calzaghe’s promoter Frank Warren, basking in the glow of Calzaghe’s latest triumph, laid it all out on the line in post fight interviews.
According to an article published on FrankWarren.tv by Iain Axon, Warren bellowed, “Hopkins can pick the date. He can pick the weight and he can pick the venue. Joe Calzaghe will fight him any time anywhere. The only condition is that he gets paid well.”
The only problem with Warren’s proclamation is that he is a promoter. He’s also a promoter with a very hot fighter on his hands right now and should he and Calzaghe go into negotiations with Bernard Hopkins nothing will be different from all those years ago when this fight was first proposed. Certainly both men are significantly older but their respective egos, particularly Hopkins, are still alive and kicking. Hopkins eventually became a big star in boxing by bucking the system and pricing himself out of lucrative matches until Felix Trinidad entered the middleweight division in 2001, knocked out William Joppy and figured, as many people did, Hopkins would be another pelt on his belt. Hopkins turned in the performance of his career, stopping Trinidad in a post-9/11 triumph and suddenly became the giant elephant in the room that no one could ignore anymore.
Calzaghe by contrast has flew under the American radar screen and even after decimating highly touted Jeff Lacy was still not given full credit for his world class skills. Going into the Kessler match, and Kessler, it should be reiterated, is a damn good fighter who will only get better as he continues his career, the Welshman again found himself being questioned. There should be no question anymore – Joe Calzaghe is a great fighter and should he come to the United States to take on a fighter like Bernard Hopkins he should be handsomely compensated.
Joe is also aware that his career is winding down and he would love to cash out in a boxing Mecca like Las Vegas. It would be a fitting end to a hall of fame career should he close out his fistic reign on a grand stage in Vegas or, better still, Madison Square Garden. He deserves it, even though there will still be critics crawling out of the woodwork when his next opponent is announced to pose those same tired questions as to his true worth. Only this time it will be a much smaller contingent and his fans won’t feel the need to defend him quite so vociferously. All they will have to do is point to his record and say, “Just enjoy this great fighter while you can, because he won’t be around much longer.”
Is Calzaghe really the greatest Super Middleweight ever?
 By Adrian Saba, Photo by Sumio Yamada - Yesterday, Joe Calzaghe probably won his most important fight, the fight that will identify him in the future. His bout against Kessler was the true definition of a career defining fight: a fight for all the belts, against the toughest undefeated opponent, at the right time of his boxing career. Let’s remember that Calzaghe is 35, not old and past his prime, but he’s not a young fighter with many promising years left.
The fight against Kessler happened exactly at the right time. The Dragon must now climb in the P4P rankings, where he was rated at the bottom –now I would rate him in the Top5–. He has more than 20 title defences, he has defeated Chris Eubank, Charles Brewer, Byron Mitchell, Jeff Lacy, Mikkel Kessler, etc. He has dominated for 10 years and could break Joe Louis’ record, and also Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 record. Calzaghe is currently 44-0.
Is he the greatest 168 pounds’ fighter in history? He doesn’t have wins over other great fighters, but his longevity and dominance must be taken in consideration and, in my opinion, have a huge value. Steve Collins, for example, has wins over a prime Chris Eubank –Calzaghe doesn’t– but he never dominated for a decade, and he has three losses. Nigel Benn is another Super Middleweight all time great, and could be put above Calzaghe. James Toney only spent two years in the Super Middleweight division and beat Iran Barkley and Tony Thornton, but he lost the most relevant fight against Roy Jones. Roy Jones…could he be the greatest fighter at 168 pounds? Face-to-face, he is definitely the number 1, the greatest Super Middleweight fighter to ever step into the ring; he had the speed, the power, the agility, reflexes, athleticism, everything. He also had the experience that he did not have at Middleweight. However, like James Toney, he didn’t spend much time at 168, only a couple of years and six fights against ranked contenders, and non of them were undefeated and so experienced as Kessler –except James Toney–. It’s hard to compare someone who subjugated a division for such a short time, but dominated spectacularly, like Jones, against a man that has dominated for a decade and beat so many ranked fighters. I’d say Calzaghe has, evidently, more achievements and accomplishments at 168, but Jones is much better toe-to-toe. Overall, considering all aspects, I’d say Calzaghe is greater. He is the greatest Super Middleweight ever. And Jones is the second one, though much better in All Time P4P rankings.
It will be interesting to see what Calzaghe will do in the following months: who is next? He could migrate to Light Heavyweight and fight Chad Dawson or Clinton Woods, or, if he wants a fight to increase his legacy, he could challenge Bernard Hopkins. It would be boring, a chess match, but would involve two great fighters, and that is always attractive, what else can a boxing fan ask for. Joe could also fight Kelly Pavlik. I believe that fight will happen later, but not now. Pavlik is rematching Taylor, so that will maintain him occupied and unavailable. An option that I would not like, but that may happen, is Calzaghe against the winner of Jones-Trinidad. My advice for Calzaghe would be to stay in his division and continue dominating; I really want to see him breaking the records of Louis and Marciano.
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