Saturday, April 24, 2010

Live text - Froch v Kessler

ROUND-BY-ROUND COMMENTARY (all times BST)
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By Ben Dirs

2147: "We mustn't underestimate the effect of the Danish crowd," says Steve Bunce on 5 live - he was in Denmark to see Brian Nielsen take Mike Tyson seven rounds in 2001, and there were 40,000 fans in that night. Not many friendly faces in the crowd for Froch tonight, but he'll still be able to hear his missus Rachael, you could hear her in a hurricane-force wind. The crowd buzzing now, here comes Kessler...

Tommyboy, Glasgow, via text on 81111: "Froch's ego is writing cheques his body can't cash. Kessler to win on points or by late stoppage."

2141: They've gone to Herning on 5 Live, and Mike Costello says it's a "carnival atmosphere" in the 10,000 capacity arena. The final prelim fight is over, Froch and Kessler should be in the ring in 10 minutes or so, maybe less...

RJJ, Notts, via text on 81111: "Being from Nottingham, I would love to see Froch win the Super Six, staying undefeated. However, his defence is quite frankly poor, shocking at times, and he has yet to dominate a serious contender at 168lb. Dirrell hurt Froch a few times in their bout, Taylor had him down and hurt, and I see Kessler hitting much harder than Mr Dirrell and Taylor. Would love Froch to prove me wrong, but Kessler TKO 11."

Shaun via text on 81111: "Kessler will not be able to back Froch up. He will be less effective and get walked down. He will be stopped inside 10."

Mark, Co. Antrim, via text on 81111: "I think Froch is afraid that if it goes all the way that the partisan atmosphere might influence the judges' count in Kessler's favour. If he tries to end it before a count, then he might wilt in the later rounds. Come on Carl, make us proud!"

2130:Dan (see below), for a horrible moment there, I thought you'd written something else... a prediction? Kessler by split decision... why do I do it to myself...?

Dan on 606: "I just realised that we're all here on 606 potentially making mugs of ourselves with bold predictions, and Dirsy's getting away scot-free! Come on Ben, let's have a predo."

2125: If you've got a radio, you might want to listen to Mike Costello's commentary on 5 live rather than read this. I believe he's got former super-middleweight world champion Richie Woodhall with him, and maybe Steve Bunce, but I can't say for sure.

Abbas via text on 81111: "This is the end of the Road for the COBRA! Carl Froch is going to be a Grass Snake after tonight."

aberdeen on 606: "Neither boxer has great movement, both have been found out by boxers with better footwork, so I anticipate a war in straight lines and for me Froch wins that. Watch him target Kessler's eye as well, staying up top most of the fight. If I was Kessler I'd be trying to get Froch's body on the angles, but I don't think Kessler has the skill for this."

Adam via text on 81111: "Froch to win in nine. Put a cheeky £50 on it earlier so I shall be a very popular man at the boozer tonight should it come good!"

2115: Herning may be pretty rural - its population is 46,000 - but they're expecting 10,000 in the Messecenter tonight, Kessler's a pretty big star in Denmark. The Scandinavian nation has had a few decent fighters down the years, with heavyweight Brian Nielsen probably the best-known. Nielsen feasted on a raft of over-the-hill American names in the 1990s, including Larry Holmes and Tim Witherspoon, and lost to Mike Tyson in 2001. I hear he's thinking about making a comeback, with Evander Holyfield on his wish-list. Deary me...

2108: Scrap that - 5 live are kicking off their coverage at 2135 BST, so we've got a way to go yet. Get involved on 606 in the meantime - the link is on the top of the page - or send us your texts...

2103: This is Froch's 26th pro fight, and he's won every one of them, scoring 20 knockouts along the way. Kessler is one year younger at 31, but he's older in boxing terms - 42 wins and two defeats for the former WBA title-holder, with 32 knockouts.

Paul, Canada, via text on 81111: "The word around the campfire after the Ward fight is that Mikkel Kessler is shot. I don't agree but he certainly isn't the same fighter who fought Joe Calzaghe. That said, Carl Froch needs to be MUCH better tonight than he was against Andre Dirrell. Carl either by late stoppage or points."

Dan on 606: "What a great fight this should be. Two powerful, aggressive punchers with rock-solid chins and a point to prove. Kessler wants to show that he's still a force at 168lb, whilst Froch wants to prove he's the best in the world at his weight. Should be a barnburner."

Silvamaine on 606: "If Kessler works behind his jab and manages to pick off Froch with his power-shots, then he should be able to win. But I can see Froch wanting to dictate the pace and set a very demanding work-rate, forcing Kessler to dig-deep into the later rounds."

Qaz via text on 81111: "Fact of the day: Carl Froch claims his nose has never been broken. I'm gonna bet £100 that changes tonight."

2051: Both men looked in outrageously good shape at yesterday's weigh-in, with Kessler the lightest he'd been for 14 fights. But the Dane was made to look pretty sluggish by the slick Andre Ward last time out and there were suggestions his best days were behind him. However, don't expect Froch to be as elusive as Ward - he's never been particularly hard to hit - and I'm expecting this to unravel into an all-out war...


2043: As far as I'm concerned, this is pretty much a pick 'em fight. I know a lot of the British newspaper boys are backing Froch to stop Kessler in the middle rounds, but I'm not sure it's going to be that easy - I'm predicting yet another long, gruelling night for Froch. As for the bookies, William Hill have Froch at evens, Kessler at 8-11 and the draw at 22-1. Froch on points is 10-3, Froch by KO or stoppage 5-2...


2040: Hello ladies and gents, and thanks for joining me for what could be a screamer encounter in Herning, Denmark - Nottingham's Carl Froch v Mikkel Kessler for Froch's WBC super-middleweight belt. Victory for Froch would virtually assure him a place in the semi-finals of the Super Six tournament - a loss, and he says he might hang them up. Boxing's nasty like that...

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