By Erik Schaffer: This Saturday the second round of the Super Six Tournament continues when Carl Froch defends his WBC Super Middleweight Title against Mikkel Kessler in Denmark. The hometown fighter Kessler comes in with a record of 42-2, 32 ko’s and just happens to be a -155 favorite to win against the unbeaten Froch, who brings a record of 26-0, 20 ko’s into the contest. The total is 11.5 even money. My guess would be that most boxing fans would find this Vegas line to be a little shocking after the fights these two fighters just had. And the man who is the favorite now has 2 losses to his credit. Well, sometimes in boxing things can change in a hurry..
Mikkel Kessler will come into the ring at the MCH Messecenter Saturday in Denmark with just under 12,000 fans in his corner. Total reversal from his last fight when his was in an arena with 10,000 hyped west coast Americans who happened to be supporting their hometown fighter. Kesssler is also fighting someone Saturday night who just happens to have a much different style then what Kessler saw in the west coast of America that night. This time Kessler will not be on the road against a slick fighter with great defense and speed. Kessler happens to be 0-2 now against those type of fighters. He also happens to be 0-2 outside of Denmark. Good thing for him he is back at home where he is 40-0 and those are some of the reasons I expect a great performance from Kessler this Saturday. Styles, situations and home crowds help make fights.
Kessler will be the faster man in the ring on this fight night and that seems to always suit him just fine. I know Mikkel has his own little defense problems and isn’t the most elusive fighter around but I do see him being able to handle the pressure of Carl Froch. I see Froch being an easy target for Kessler, which will keep him very competitive in this fight. And I think we can say that Kessler has a good enough chin to handle the semi slow punching power from Froch. Kessler was out worked by Joe Calzaghe for his first loss and was just too slow for Andre Ward. Kessler was beaten up in that fight from not seeing the punches coming. He will see the punches coming this Saturday and that’s another reason why this will be a close fight.
Carl Froch did look great against Jean Pascal, but I thought he was given the decision at home against Dirrell. My point is that Froch can be beaten. And lets see how he reacts on the road for the first time in his career. It hasn’t worked out for the 0-2 Kessler. And it seems nobody can win on the road in this tournament. Nobody so far as the home fighter happens to be 4-0. What I’m trying to say is sometimes in sports timing is everything. And this Saturday we have a good home fighter coming in with 12,000 strong hoping to see him bounce back against a road boxing rookie. This is the perfect spot for Kessler to be in and the worst possible spot for Froch. Yes boxing fans, sometimes theree is no place like home…
I take Kessler on Saturday night. No final result play here, but if you are looking for plus money I would advise Kessler must win by decision. I will stick with the safe play and just take Kessler to win anyway he can at -155 and maybe lower come fight day.
Prediction : Kessler to win against Froch