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Carl Froch vs. Mikkel Kessler Rematch Preview

By Michael Fuentes

London, UK (May 24th, 2013)– On Saturday May 25, 2013, European superstar Carl Froch takes on Denmark’s superstar Mikkel Kessler in the 02 Arena in London, England in the much anticipated rematch.  You can watch the fight on SuperSport network in the UK or on Showtime in the US.

Froch has been asking for a rematch since he lost to Kessler by UD on April 24, 2010, Froch claims that he lost the fight because it was in Denmark, so now they switch locations to fight in London, where Froch will have the home crowd on his side.  In their first fight, Froch and Kessler looked very evenly matched with both giving as much as receiving, but the nod went to Kessler, who many thought won the fight, but I don’t think anyone would have disagreed with a draw.  Froch’s only other defeat was against undefeated Super Middleweight kingpin Andre Ward who has beaten both fighters.

Mikkel Kessler’s lone other loss was to Super Middle Weight great Joe Calzaghe, who retired on top of the division, an undefeated champion.  Both guys have only lost to the top of the division.  Kessler’s recent fights have been against good competition, since his loss to Ward, beating Froch by UD, Mehdi Bouadla by TKO in six, Allan Green by TKO in three and Brian Magee by TKO in three. Froch has been riding high since his KO victory over previously unbeaten Lucian Bute in five rounds and Yusaf Mack in three.

Froch has been fighting with more aggression, looking for the KO in every round.  This fight has fight of the year written all over it with both fighters looking to take this fight out of the judge’s hands and go for the KO.  Both fighters have iron chins and heavy hands, so this should be an amazing fight.  Both fighters have great resumes and a huge following in their respected countries, so this could propel the winner to be next in line for a possible rematch with Ward.  The loser will have to work his way back up to the top and with father time always looming there may not be much more time, so this fight is a must win for both.  There is definitely one clear winner in this fight and it’s the fans, with both fighters having fan friendly styles.

For Kessler to win this fight, he needs to jab, move and outbox Froch, the same way he did in the first fight.  Using the jab is key, to keep Froch’s aggressive style at bay and not allow him to get on the inside and work, where he wants to.  In the first fight, Kessler was able to do this enough to get the nod.  For Froch to come out victorious he needs to use faints and get in on the inside and rough up Kessler where he will be at the advantage with body work and inside fighting.  Froch also has an excellent jab of his own which he should look to use more than the first fight.  Looking at Froch’s previous two fights, his aggressive style helped him get in on the inside and work and hurt and eventually KO Bute and Mack.

A loss for either fighter at this point in the fight game is as bad as announcing your retirement being that Kessler is 34 and Froch is 35.  It would be extremely tough for either guy to start from the bottom again and having to fight your way up is hard especially at their age.  The good thing is that both guys are huge draws and can still make a lot of money fighting mediocre competition in their hometowns, however, getting a title shot at Ward would be too difficult.

 

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