Shock & Awe: Andre Ward dominates Mikkel Kessler

by SC on Nov 21, 2009 11:47 PM EST in Post-Fight Analysis Comment 58 comments

Andre Ward dominated Mikkel Kessler in Oakland to win the WBA super middleweight title. (Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images)

Andre Ward may have gotten away with some dirty tactics tonight, but you cannot deny one solid fact. The Olympic gold medalist frustrated, outboxed and outclassed Mikkel Kessler tonight, beating the Danish star by technical decision after the bout was stopped in the 11th round.

Ward won on scores of 98-92, 98-92 and 97-93. The fight was stopped on a cut ruled caused by a headbutt. Kessler was also bleeding over the other eye, which was also caused by a butt that wasn't called. Kessler (42-2, 32 KO) complained for the last few rounds in the corner that he couldn't see, and complained after the fight of Ward's holding and his headbutts.

Ward (21-0, 13 KO) also appeared to stray low frequently. California referee Jack Reiss called almost nothing on Ward, but it is what it is. Kessler may have legitimate gripes, but I don't think anyone that watched them tonight would argue that Kessler was beating Ward no matter what was called. Ward was faster, sharper, more confident, and had Kessler confused and frustrated early and often.

Kessler had trouble adjusting to Ward's speed, angles and overall offensive attack. He was not beating Ward tonight.

This was a coming out party for the American Ward, who frankly showed savvy I didn't think he had yet. He looked from the get-go like he knew he would win, and he put it on Kessler. I had Kessler the No. 1 super middleweight in the world coming into tonight. That has certainly changed now. Andre Ward put his stamp on the world of boxing and on the Super Six World Boxing Classic tonight.

We'll have more tomorrow, but for now, Andre Ward and his fans should revel in a career-making victory over Mikkel Kessler.

0 recs | Comment 58 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

officially the nite of upsets … kessler loss, sosa tko in 2 by mayol, sansona draw …. freakin nuts. prob lost all my points on boxpicks :(

by boxzilla on Nov 21, 2009 11:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Like I said for Kessler… if he had problems with Ward he will have nightmares with Froch.

Ward… is riding high. He has to face Taylor who might not be the same fighter anymore. He isn’t world class at supermiddleweight but he has a chance for a title, and what a chance it would be if he could upset Ward.

"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."

by Zocalo on Nov 21, 2009 11:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah. This opens up SO MUCH for Taylor in theory. If Taylor can beat this guy, wow — the game changes for him in a big way.

Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes

by SC on Nov 21, 2009 11:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that is what is great about this tournament… without it… Kessler and Taylor would be SOL but even a loss… even a bad loss is ok in the first round given the round round format.

"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."

by Zocalo on Nov 22, 2009 12:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kessler could very well be a titlist again after his next fight

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 22, 2009 12:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah… not a loss to dwell on but a must win for him coming up next.

"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."

by Zocalo on Nov 22, 2009 12:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

round robin

"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."

by Zocalo on Nov 22, 2009 12:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I underrated Ward

And it’s a good thing. It’s also nice that Dirrell and Ward have justified their inclusion in the tournament over some guys who seemed to be more worthy based on resume.

Revised SMW top 10:

1. Bute
2. Ward
3. Abraham
4. Froch
5. Kessler
6. Andrade
7. Bika
8. Dirrell
9. Stieglitz
10. Green

Sartison, Miranda, Balzsay, Inkin and Manfredo on the outside looking in.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 22, 2009 12:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

And paging Alejandro Berrio

What the hell happened to him?

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 22, 2009 12:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."

by Zocalo on Nov 22, 2009 12:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but that was like 2 years ago

Before that fight, he beat Stieglitz and Yusef Mack (who’s now probably a top 10 guy at LHW). Since losing to Bute, he’s fought a few scrubs in Colombia and that’s about it.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 22, 2009 12:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Some people are never the same after a KO….

"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."

by Zocalo on Nov 22, 2009 12:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Berrio’s had five of them. And 28 of his 29 wins are by KO. He’s a hoot.

Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes

by SC on Nov 22, 2009 12:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He'd been KOed like 4 times before

Pretty much all of Berrio’s fights end in a KO, one way or the other. Massive, massive punch, and a sketchy chin. The Herbie Hide of the SMW division.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 22, 2009 12:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Forgot about that fight?

"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."

by Zocalo on Nov 22, 2009 12:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Brain fart

Sub in Jermain Taylor, probably at #11 or #12.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 22, 2009 12:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

u can't possibly have Abraham above Froch

by Sweet science on Nov 22, 2009 7:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I have Abraham ahead of Froch too. It’s not hard really if you consider Taylor as their common opponent and look at who did better. Yes I know they both got a last round KO but Abraham looked far more comfortable ansd got hit a lot less.

"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey

by Drunken cutman on Nov 22, 2009 8:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

in my eyes it was a better style match up for AA than Froch, bcoz AA just cover’s up and absorbs the punches with his high guard. Froch’s style leaves him open to getting hit,

I believe you also have to take into consideration Froch traveled to America and fought in JT’s backyard, Vice Verca for Abraham Taylor

I believe Froch would beat AA (is this the their 3rd round matchup??) points descision, if AA tags Froch it won’t affect him as much as Taylor, he has a TON of heart

by Sweet science on Nov 22, 2009 10:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Heart is not Jermain Taylor’s issue.

Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes

by SC on Nov 22, 2009 10:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

To my mind

Taylor doesn’t really have that much of an issue in his fight with Abraham other than Abraham being really good.

"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey

by Drunken cutman on Nov 22, 2009 11:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think the placing of fights makes too much of a difference. I can accept that there are psycholigical and judging related factors involved with fighting in an opponent’s hometown but in my opinion it’s not a significant issue.

It’s hard to argue that Froch beat Taylor more convincingly than Abraham if you consider that Taylor was outboxing Froch and even knocked him down before gassing, and yes that’s the main reason Froch won.

Froch leaves himself open a lot, is slow and throws what are usually fairly easy to see punches. I see Abraham as a better boxer by far.

"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey

by Drunken cutman on Nov 22, 2009 10:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm sure they'll all change again after the next round anyway

I have Abraham ahead, mostly for the reasons already noted, and partly because I thought Froch looked like crap in and lost his last fight. The way I do rankings, it’s about 80% based on actual resume and 20% based on other stuff. If Miranda II hadn’t also been at 168, I might have Froch ahead.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 22, 2009 12:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

BTW

Rodel Mayol beat Edgar Sosa

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 22, 2009 12:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

And Giovanni Segura KO1 Sonny Boy Jaro

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 22, 2009 12:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

WOW

Shake-ups tonight, man.

Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes

by SC on Nov 22, 2009 12:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

btw

I’m kinda happy. I like Mayol and hated seeing people go, “Why’s he getting another shot?!” Because he’s good and exciting, that’s why.

Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes

by SC on Nov 22, 2009 12:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Something that was said in the DanR chat…

Pete (NYC)

Edison Miranda was more competitive against Ward. Shocking.

Kinda paints a big picture on how bad Kessler looked vs Ward.

"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."

by Zocalo on Nov 22, 2009 12:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't know about that

Miranda got shut out.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 22, 2009 12:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kessler didn’t even look like a world class fighter like Miranda has been his whole career.

"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."

by Zocalo on Nov 22, 2009 12:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

To be fair

I was at both fights and I scored both fights. Looking back, I had more rounds for Miranda than I had for Kessler…I wouldn’t say that Miranda was better than Kessler but his style matched up better to Ward’s than Kessler’s.

by waldo47 on Nov 22, 2009 3:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Does Taylor fight Ward or Kessler next?

BTW congrats to Ward. REPRESENT THE BAY AREA MAN!

Seattle Seahawks: The only team in the NFL to trail 17-17 according to Dick Stockton.

by SSreporters on Nov 22, 2009 12:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Taylor vs. Ward

Froch vs. Kessler

Both in the next round.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 22, 2009 12:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

That will change everything up. If Taylor gets pounded by Ward…

Seattle Seahawks: The only team in the NFL to trail 17-17 according to Dick Stockton.

by SSreporters on Nov 22, 2009 12:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Or if Taylor upsets Ward… and I think that’s the right matchup for Jermain if anything is in this tournament.

Kessler can get right back with a win over Froch, too. This shit is fun.

Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes

by SC on Nov 22, 2009 1:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Your boy Tarver

Seems to agree. I asked him about Taylor and he said that Ward was the perfect matchup for him. He will probably not win but at least he won’t get brutally KO’d in the 12th round again. And since that was from your fav Tarver I’m sure you would agree with that assessment.

by waldo47 on Nov 22, 2009 3:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kessler seems to have comported himself better off-camera. Props to him.

From the AP report:

“He was the better man tonight, but I would have liked the fight to go another minute,” Kessler said. “I knew I could have continued. I was cut, but the cuts weren’t that bad. He threw a lot of elbows, and there were a lot of head butts, and he never got any warnings. … I don’t want to sit here and complain all the time, but I wasn’t happy with the referee.”

Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"

by Matt Miller on Nov 22, 2009 3:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

at least here he acknowledges the obvious

Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"

by Matt Miller on Nov 22, 2009 3:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The elbows are news to me

It’s tough to be humble in the seconds immediately after a tough loss. Much easier to do so once there’s a bit less adrenaline flowing through the arteries.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 22, 2009 12:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This tournament is fucking fun, I can’t say enough about it.

A few notes about the fight tonight. As the fight went on and Ward gained more confidence he got a little sloppy, dropping his left too much and lunging forward leaving himself open for counters. Fortunately for Ward though Kessler was thinking defense defense defense all night not knowing where the hell Ward was gonna attack from.

I think it was in the 3rd or 4th round Kessler landed a really hard shot that I thought rocked Ward because he immediately clinched. After the ref seperated them Ward, unphased, came back with a hammer shot of his own and definitely hurt Kessler—Ward has a better chin AND better punching power than I thought.

Just call me The Profit

by Manuwar on Nov 22, 2009 3:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

That 'hammer shot'

seemed like an intentional headbutt to me.

It was still a damn good fight by Ward, and I wonder whether we saw the birth of a new American star last night.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 22, 2009 12:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I very much think we did. The question now is; is Ward the favourite in Kessler’s place?

"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey

by Drunken cutman on Nov 22, 2009 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Him or Abraham

Ward’s performance in the Miranda fight showed me he knows how to play “keep away”, so despite his so-so chin, I think he’d be favored to beat Abraham, although a lot of that would depend on where the fight would be held (I would imagine Germany – Ward’s gotten enough of a home town advantage in the first round, and Abraham’s undeniably the bigger draw). On the other hand, there are still some bad style matchups out there for Ward. I think he’s probably a co-favorite at this point.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 22, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But I'll also say this

Ward has fought so differently in each of his last four fights that I’m not sure really how bad a “bad style matchup” is for him. His trainer seems to be great at coming up with an effective gameplan to beat a fighter, and he seems to have exceptional ring intelligence.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 22, 2009 2:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Very much agreed

about his ring intelligence. I just watched the fight and I am very impressed by the way he puzzled Kessler and really kept him off balance. Do you know who his trainer is?

"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey

by Drunken cutman on Nov 22, 2009 3:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Virgil Hunter

I have no idea who else he trains. I believe he trained Ward as an amateur as well.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 22, 2009 4:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Even with the most favorable ref in the world

Kessler still loses this fight. Ward was faster and had a serious gameplan to frustrate Kessler all night long. The only times that Kessler was doing anything of note in this fight was when he ventured way out of his comfort zone and started throwing a large number of shots, like Calzaghe…Yeah I think it was the 4th, because I instinctively yelled “Oh shit, HOLD!!” and then he held. At that moment, I knew Ward was going to win the fight.

by waldo47 on Nov 22, 2009 3:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Somewhat Related

If you are going to a fight sometime soon, here is a protip. Where the nicest things that you have. Men: Suit Women: fancy Dress. My friends and I decided to go old-school boxing style and wear full suits. We got upgraded from $35 dollar seats to $300+ seats. Also get there early, for the best seats! These are often the seats that the promoters hold onto for famous people that may or may not be there. Being 4 rows back at championship night is awesome, and I hope these tips will alow you to do the same!

by waldo47 on Nov 22, 2009 3:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

wow, nice!

by Polish Rifle on Nov 22, 2009 11:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I assume by “Men: Suit Women: fancy Dress.”; you actually mean a dress which is fancy? As opposed to wearing fetish gear or a Nikolai Valuev mask?

Boxing is the beginning of all sports. I'm willing to bet that the first sport was a man against another man in a fight. (Omar Epps)

by Chaos100 on Nov 22, 2009 3:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

…Nikolai Valuev mask?

Hold on. That was just the suggestion if you wanted to get more expensive seats not if you wanted to be totally awesome. The two can be mutually exclusive sometimes…

by waldo47 on Nov 22, 2009 4:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Take a wild guess

In a move absolutely no one saw coming Kalle and Wilfred are complaining about the refereeing in the fight. I wouldn’t say that the ref was bad it was more that he was old school. If Ward is coming forward and Kessler throws a sweeping punch, Ward has to duck, then come back up. Its hard to see where the other guy’s head is so the headbutting was understandable. The “low” blows were mostly on the beltline so I guess this really depends on the refs instructions before the fight. Seemed more old school then shady. If the ref was a fair european ref (I doubt such a thing exists…), I’m still sure that Ward wins the fight. Maybe made the fight a little closer, but it wouldn’t alter the result.

by waldo47 on Nov 22, 2009 5:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It's sort of like Bute-Andrade to me

Yes, the ref acted like a hometown ref. But even if he didn’t, it wouldn’t have changed the results of the fight.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Nov 22, 2009 11:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How was he hometown

I don’t think there was anything that he did for Ward and not for Kessler. Ward would come forward to initiate the clinch, then go to work on the inside. When he did that Kessler would hold on for a stoppage, and the ref would admonish Kessler (nothing wrong with that). Headbutting really looked like an issue of Ward constantly coming forward and Kessler throwing sweeping high punching. What should the ref do differently? Warn Ward for low blows and headbutts? This ref is nowhere close to as bad as the Dirrell Froch ref, where the rabbit punching was egregious (and that was a “neutral” ref).

by waldo47 on Nov 23, 2009 12:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I thought the ref was a little biased in the focus of his repremands and criticism; telling Kessler off for very little but ignoring Ward’s misbehaivour. However having said that I agree that his reffing wasn’t really of the hometown variety and I didn’t see any of Ward’s punches as low anyway.

"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey

by Drunken cutman on Nov 23, 2009 4:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

…biased in the focus of his repremands and criticism…

I have no idea what the ref said during the fight, so maybe thats true. Still this is getting to the point of nitpicking if we are saying that the ref didn’t scold Ward enough….

by waldo47 on Nov 23, 2009 4:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs