18.08.07 – By Billy Borst: WALES, U.K.- Joe Calzaghe and Mikkel Kessler have a few things in common. Both fighters hold a title in the super middleweight division, both have been dubbed knock out artists, and between the two of them, not one loss can be accounted for. They will lose one common ground come November, however. On November 3rd, 2007 one man will emerge from the ring finally defeated, and the other will emerge as a unifier of their division.
Calzaghe (43-0, 32 KO’s) and Kessler (39-0, 29 KO’s) each hold a very important part of the super middleweight division. Calzaghe holds the WBO super middleweight title, and Kessler holds the WBA and WBC super middleweight titles. Both men are putting up their earnings in hopes they will leave the ring victorious on the 3rd of November. Calzaghe, dubbed “The Pride of Wales” will be fighting with his people behind him, at Millennium Stadium, Wales, United Kingdom in what is arguably the most anticipated fight in boxing as of now.
The fight may measure up to be a nominee for “The Fight of the Year” when you look at the statistics from both men, and look at the strengths and weaknesses of each of them. Both men have scored over 25 knock outs a piece, most of them coming in the early rounds of their fights. Kessler who is reported by BoxRec.com as a height of 6’1”, and a 73” reach stands two inches above Calzaghe who is a reported 5’11”, and also a 73” reach. Calzaghe is fighting at 35 years of age, and Kessler at 28 years of age, proving that veteran fighters are still capable of being the best in the business.
Joe Calzaghe is a man on a mission as of late. After he shocked the boxing community with a Unanimous Decision over previously undefeated Jeff Lacy, he went on to beat Sakio Bika, and finally, he embarrassed Peter Manfredo Jr. in the third round with a crushing TKO win. Calzaghe comes into this bout with 43 battles under his belt, making this his 44th. He is a more experienced fighter than Mikkel “The Viking Warrior” Kessler, and has faced bigger names as well. He makes his way into November globally ranked 1st out of 767 fighters in the super middleweight division.
Mikkel Kessler is coming off of a Unanimous Decision victory against Mexico’s Librado Andrade which took place in July. The loss was Andrade’s first in his then span of 24 fights. Kessler is a powerful fighter, and has yet to be knocked out, or even defeated. With the ability to knock off other undefeated fighters, he might be a threat to Calzaghe’s perfect record. Kessler will fighting his 40th professional bout against Calzaghe, and he comes into the fight globally ranked 2nd in the super middleweight division, his only upper being Joe Calzaghe.
Anyway you measure it, both men will come in shape, and ready to fight. Calzaghe-Kessler will be an amazing test of strength, skills, and heart, and will hopefully be backed by an entertaining under card. Kessler has more at stake, but rest assured, Calzaghe does not want to be defeated in his homeland. The battle is set, who will rise to the occasion?