by James Slater: In the latest issue of The Bible of Boxing, Ring magazine, in the regular section where the publication lists the TV fights of the month and gives a short appraisal of each bout, the words ‘This is why Green was not part of the original “Super Six”‘ are written. The well respected magazine’s short summary of the Green-Andre Ward fight from back in June is so scathing due to the poor effort tournament replacement (for Jermain Taylor) Green put forth when challenging Ward.
Losing a wide decision, during a fight in which his desire to win was questionable, Green came under fire for running, refusing to engage with Ward and for generally stinking the place out. However, as is the format of the otherwise exciting “Super Six” tournament, Green gets another big chance in September, when he will travel to Denmark to challenge WBC 168-pound boss Mikkel Kessler; the man who Ward beat to claim the WBA belt at super-middleweight.
In light of Green’s poor and disappointing effort against the unbeaten fighter known as “S.O.G,” the questions is, what type of fight can the fans expect in Herning on Sept. 25th?
Kessler, 43-2(32), and coming off that punishing win over Britain’s Carl Froch (who, of course, faces the dangerous Arthur Abraham in his own next fight in the tourney – in Monaco of all places) is confident of victory, and who can blame him? If Green ran from Ward, it figures there is a good chance he will do likewise against “The Viking Warrior.”
Kessler promoter, Kalle Sauerland is promising fans a “very special evening,” and he is also predicting a KO win for his man. But will either prediction come true? Sure, it’s possible Green, stung by the criticism he was faced with after his loss to Ward, will fight with renewed vigour and turn in a career-best showing against Kessler, but who would put money on this happening? A cautious fighter by nature, it’s unlikely “Sweetness” will be able to change all that much against Kessler; especially as he faces him in front of a large and hostile Danish crowd.
Kessler, always a true pro, says he will not look past Green, saying his great win over Froch will count for nothing if he loses his next fight, and the 31-year-old will be in shape to fight for 12 effective rounds as a result. So, even if he does have to do a lot of chasing as he attempts to get to Green, there will be no chance of the Dane running out of gas; nor is it likely Kessler will allow himself to get frustrated.
All in all, Green, 29-2(20) faces one helluva tough night next month. Despite being the younger man, as well as a fighter who has never been stopped as a pro, Green may have shown us what he is best at last time out – surviving and boxing negatively – and it’s s good bet he will adopt a similar mental approach against Kessler.
Can Kessler get to Green and become the first man to take him out? Maybe. An easy win for Kessler? No. But a clear win for him nonetheless. But will his fans go home happy?