One for the Boxing fans!

[Otta]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/boxing/22628387

Lots of Brits backing Froch, including Calzage, who doesn't usually have nice things to say about him (or the other way around).

[KidKruger]

On paper, Froch has accomplished more in the intervening years since their first fight. Kessler has had a LOT of fights, albeit many walk-overs and surely this takes a toll.

In terms of pure boxing I think Kessler is head and shoulders in front, because he keeps his form and doesn't brawl.

Some say Kessler was never the same after Ward, it was a tough defeat and he basically got head-butted to Stitchesville, Tennessee, so the ref had to stop it.

I have no idea why Kessler would say that if he loses he will retire - saying that, for me, is very negative and means you've all but decided your career's over ! If Kessler was fighting a 3rd tier fighter I could understand that sentiment, but not in a unification bout ! He's no. 2/3 in the world as a SMW, why talk about retiring ?!

I think it's a genuine 50-50 fight.

However, Froch has proved more, and more consistently. So I reckon Froch either points win or stops Kessler through cuts. So here's another Brit backing Kessler.

[Otta]

Maybe Kessler thinks he can and will win, and feels that if he doesn't then there's not a lot of point carrying on. Although that would make it one all, and surely a third fight would be good money...

[KidKruger]

Yes exactly, if Froch wins this (and convincingly), there's a strong case for a trilogy.

Kessler and Froch fill stadiums, it's a no-brainer financially.

Ward can only dream of that kind of popularity. He's the best SMW but no-one wants to watch him. He's complaining about Froch/Kessler should be fighting him, but that's been done and it stank, both times.

[Jeremy]

Otta Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Lots of Brits backing Froch, including Calzage,

> who doesn't usually have nice things to say about

> him (or the other way around).

Yeah, but it was very much a back handed compliment... "I don't think Kessler is the fighter he was when I beat him", etc.

[Otta]

True.

And saying Froch likes fighters who stand and let him hit them.

[KidKruger]

All fighters like that though !

Even Audley.

One good contest at the weekend, though dissapointing for me, was Denis Lebedev v Guillermo Jones. Guillermo had been a champion-in-recess (or something like that) for a couple of years, who was getting back into the mix. What a gifted boxer. He wounded Lebedev quite early on to the Right eye and the swelling got so bad that by Rd11 Lebedev could not see out of it and the ref stopped the contest, so TKO. I think Lebedev was winning the fight overall, despite being dropped in Rd1 or 2, but the swelling was monstrous and many say the contest should have been stopped earlier. The contest also showed how gifted Lebedev is, he was fighting a huge man in Guillermo Jones and was heavily out-weighed.

Guillermo got the LHW world title and is definitely one to watch, if he gets in better condition I think he run sthe cruiserweight division and will beat even Marco Huck (who robbed Lebedev in Germany 2 years ago).

[Jeremy]

I'm familiar enough with Lebedev to know that he's no mug (albeit rather short for a cruiser). Had only heard of Guillermo Jones in passing, to be honest. But I see that in 2007 he knocked out Jeremy Bates in the first round...

[Jeremy]

Holy crap!

 

[KidKruger]

It's a proper shiner ain't it

I'd also heard of Guillermo in the background, never quite coming to my attention fully. The name rang a bell, but now I'll start looking at his old fights. If you get a chance watch the above contest on YouTube (or BoxNation repeats). Buncey reckoned it was a fight of the decade, not just fight of the year.

Lebedev is showed huge heart. Jones is massive compared to him.

[Help-Ma-Boab]

In case you miss it or dont go into the whats on section. The Rose is showing the fight.

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?6,1114874

What time you reckon the Froch/Kessler match will be on?

[Jeremy]

Nice one. I heard that the fight starts at 11pm.

[Help-Ma-Boab]

Thanks Jeremy. I'm going to be soaking up the sun on LL tomorra and am going to check if the EDT are showing it, they sometimes do. If not, unless I have sunstroke will prob try the ros?.

[Otta]

If EDT are showing it please let us know on here. Much easier to get home from than the rose for me.

[Help-Ma-Boab]

Will do my best Otta. I don't however have mobile Internet, but I'm sure I can find a way if I find the EDT are showing it.

[Otta]

Fair play. I could just phone them to be fair.

[david_carnell]

Is Lebedev small for a cruiserweight? You rarely see such a size mismatch outside the heavyweight division any more and I'm wondering how this one has occurred. Is it just body frame size rather than weight? Even so, Jones looks like a Holyfield sized heavyweight which is crazy if he came up from the LH division. Ye gods....he must have rinsed through some of those guys.

Edit: just wiki'd him....he started off as a welterweight?!?! WTF?

[Help-Ma-Boab]

The man from EDT......he say no. (just rang)

[Jeremy]

DC - at 5'11, Lebedev seems short for the weight. I reckon most cruisers are something like 6'1-6'3. But it's still perfectly possible to be effective against taller guys at that height (e.g. Tyson)

Meanwhile, Guillermo Jones must have been a freakishly lanky welterweight (I thought Paul Williams was a tall welter at 6'1)!

I'm cynical about this weight mismatch thing. I can't find the results of the weigh-in online, but in any division (expect heavy) you'd expect both guys to be close to the limit. Interestingly, despite the large height difference, Jones seems to be the one who's carrying a bit of extra body fat.

[KidKruger]

You gotta watch the fight on YouTube, Lebedev is a very brave gentleman.

Froch isn't on BoxNation so I'll be heading to Rose I expect.

Will look upbKones and see what else he's done.

Chad Dawson is fighting Adonis Stevenson soon, dangerous fight for Dawson against the KO artist.

[Jeremy]

Strong chance I'll be there too...

[KidKruger]

Shout if you get down there I'll say hi !

[Help-Ma-Boab]

I'm going.prob bout 10.30. Be nice to meet you all.

[Jeremy]

If you see someone in a black hoodie, jeans, grey T-shirt. Could use a hair cut. That's me...

[KidKruger]

Blimey - half the pub'll be wearing that !