Mikkel Kessler and Carl Froch due battle this Saturday in Herning, Denmark in the second round of the World Boxing Classic Super Six. Froch currently owns two points after his win over Andre Dirrell while Kessler rests at zero after being beaten by Andre Ward. The fight airs on Showtime at 9pm ET this Saturday.
Carl Froch vs. Mikkel Kessler
WBC Super Middleweight Title
Money Line: Froch +150; Kessler -180
Carl Froch, 26-0 (20 KOs), seems unassuming enough but the Brit manages to keep on winning in the super middleweight division. Each of his last two fights were supposed to be the ones that gave him his first loss. But Froch rallied late to KO Jermain Taylor in the 12th round in a bout prior to the Super Six, and squeaked by Andre Dirrell by split decision in the opening round of the tournament. Froch may have benefited from a hometown advantage in his bout with Dirrell but he takes his WBC title on the road to Kessler’s home of Denmark this time around. Froch was aggressive against Dirrell and throws punches from a lot of different angles. A high activity rate is always good but Froch must be careful with a strong counterpuncher like Kessler standing across from him.
Mikkel Kessler, 42-2 (32 KOs), was a favorite to win the Super Six tournament when the contestants were announced but the Dane already finds himself in a hole after being dominated by Andre Ward in the first round. Kessler lost his super middleweight title to Ward that night but the good news for the Viking Warrior is that he has a chance to gain another world title in his bout with Froch. Kessler has had problems in the past with speed as his two losses came to Andre Ward and Joe Calzaghe. He does, however, have power in both hands and does a good job of pacing himself to the end of the fight. After coming up empty in the first round, Kessler really needs to make up ground against Froch.
Staff Predictions
Corey: Carl Froch is undefeated thus far in his career but has had major trouble with fighters less technically sound than Mikkel Kessler. In those fights, his strong will and mental toughness saw him through. This time, those attributes will be nullified as Froch finds himself outgunned by Kessler, whose only two losses were dealt to him by the dazzling hand speed of Joe Calzaghe and Andre Ward. Throw in home field advantage for Kessler and Froch’s troubled travel arrangements, and it spells the first loss for “The Cobra.” Kessler wins big as Froch, ever the battler, manages to make it to the finish line only to hear he’s lost a decision, 118-110.
Trent: When I profiled Mikkel Kessler for this tournament, I stated that his easiest matchup is Carl Froch. And here we are. Froch doesn’t posses the right kind of style that beats Kessler. This fight is right up Kessler’s alley. I expect Kessler to come out with authority, and with the hometown crowd on his side, completely overwhelm Froch in Denmark. Froch is a tough guy and always presents that puncher’s chance but Kessler will prove to be too much and stop the champion in eight rounds.
