Super six preview: Carl Froch v Mikkel Kessler
It could come down to animal instincts on Saturday when “The Cobra” takes on “The Great Dane”, as the Super Six World Boxing Classic heats up with another super-fight.
Britain’s Carl Froch puts his WBC super-middleweight belt on the line as he faces the ever-destructive Mikkel Kessler.
At a time when so many good fighters duck out of facing each other (Notably you, Mr Manny Pacquiao and Mr Floyd Mayweather Jnr) the Super Six Series has been a revelation. They may not possess the quality of Marvellous Marvin Hagler, Tommy Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran, but it is the most exciting succession of fights seen in a middleweight division since that golden era.
For Froch it is the biggest test of his career. So far, against top-draw opposition, he has outclassed Jean Pascal, overcame a knockdown to take out Jermaine Taylor in the last seconds and dealt with an awkwardly dancing Andre Dirrell. Kessler has a bit more quality than those guys; however he is coming in off the back of a defeat to André Ward, so in that respect there is no better time to be facing him. Although it does prevent the opportunity for a unification fight with the WBA belt, which is a shame.
Kessler is quite an unpredictable fighter who has a range of different weapons at his disposal. With a stiff left and a crisp right, he can sit behind a jab or engage with combinations and has a lot of power to back this up. Froch may try and match him by going to the inside and the two could end up going toe-to-toe in the centre of the ring.
The Dirrell fight was greeted with mixed reviews by boxing fans, some say Froch was by far the better battler, taking the fight to his opponent then throwing and landing more punches, while Dirrell ran for the duration. Others think Dirrell was tactically astute and had The Cobra chasing shadows. It was not the sort of fight Froch likes; he’d rather go at it for 12 rounds and it looked like Dirrell flustered him and forced the Nottingham pugilist to not fight his own fight.
Froch’s biggest strengths are bravery and determination; he will take heart from both Ward’s win over Kessler and Joe Calzaghe’s victory in 2007. Calzaghe frustrated the Dane on the night, outclassing him with his superior hand-speed. Froch hasn’t got the Welshman’s speed, but he does have a big shot or two in him that could send The Viking scurrying for his longboat.
Kessler’s best hope is testing Froch’s chin. You would assume a fighter with a 26-0-0 record would have a solid chin, but in fact it’s never truly been tested and someone with as vicious a right hand as Kessler, he will be looking to try it out. Froch keeps his hands down by his waist and relies on head movement to get himself out of tight spots. He was about one second away from losing his unbeaten record to Jermaine Taylor but produced a pearler to flatten “Bad Intentions” against the odds, having that in his arsenal could be the key to unlocking Kessler
This match-up takes place in Kessler’s home town of Herring and Froch will be wary about a home-town decision. The Cobra will feel quite lonely out there, much of his support will be missing because of recent travel disruptions. He is going to have to put on a show of dominance, he needs to cut off the ring, keep clear of Kessler’s jab then land clean shots of his own to really capture the judges’ attention. There have been rumours of an injury to The Cobra but he’s been quick to refute any problems.
It’s a big ask for Froch and if he pulls this one off then his stock would rise significantly. Kessler was the early favourite for the tournament but his defeat to Ward has scuppered his chances really. Froch may think he has never really had the recognition he deserve but taking this one will put him up there with David Haye in the British public’s eyes.
On the night the Great Dane maybe more formidable, but the Cobra has enough venom do dispatch his foe, if he can get his angles right.
Prediction: Froch 10th-12th round knockout.
Kessler will be favourite going into this fight, he should boss the first half, but I can’t help but think Froch is going to be prepared for that and come back at him in the later rounds. The Cobra won’t fancy going to the cards, if it was in England he probably would battle it out for 12 rounds, but I think he will go for the knockout in Herring and I think he will get it.
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