A new star of American boxing was born last night in Oakland, CA, as former Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward (21-0, with 13 KOs) dominated Mikkel Kessler (42-2, with 32 KOs) to win the WBA super middleweight championship. In an era of proliferated title belts, make no mistake about it….Kessler was the man at this weight class, making Ward’s victory in front of over 10,000 fans in his hometown that much sweeter.
Although a very special evening for Andre Ward, it was a night Mikkel Kessler would no doubt like to forget. The native from Denmark who was making his championship U.S. debut as part of Showtime Network’s Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament, just could never figure out Ward’s formless style, given he continuously switched tactics by utilizing superior speed, movement and aggressiveness while also changing between right and southpaw stances throughout.
Aided by a few head butts compliments of Ward, the result was a true, two-handed beat down that left Mikkel Kessler cut and bruised all over his face. The pace was fast, with Kessler utilizing a conventional, straightforward style to pressure a man he could never quite catch with a clean punch. By contrast, Andre Ward landed power shots at will with both hands in every frame of the contest which ended prematurely in the eleventh round when the ringside doctor stopped the bout due to a cut under Kessler’s right eye caused by a head butt. The official scores at the time of the technical decision were 98-92 (twice) and 97-93 all in favor of the challenger.
Andre Ward is the whole package. Often criticized prior to this year for taking on soft competition as he developed as a professional, he has now put all of that to rest with consecutive victories over top-flight competitors Edison Miranda and Mikkel Kessler. A deeply religious and family man, Ward is also good looking, well spoken, very modest and a tremendous role model for children and adults alike. All of this is in addition to the obvious fact that he is exceptionally talented in the ring.
At twenty-five years old, Andre Ward is only going to get better, so one can’t help but think of the possibilities that lie before him. Like other American gold medalists who were highly gifted with looks, brains and brawn, Ward has the potential to captivate boxing fans and capitalize in a way that should translate into a financial fortune.
It may be way too early to begin comparing his likeness to golden boys of the past Sugar Ray Leonard and Oscar De La Hoya, but it is clear this young man is on the right track.
Comments
Ward outboxed Kessler, and deserved the win, but both of those nasty cuts on Kessler were caused by constant headbutts from Ward, the last of which was particulary nasty and he was lucky not to get deducted a point for it. Ward showed other signs of spoiling such a constant holding and pawing, which ruined the fight because i think he couldve won on boxing ability alone.
Those cuts definitely effected Kesslers ability to raise the pace over the last 5 rounds and resulted in Ward cruising to victory.
At the end of the day Ward did what he had to against a really tough opponent and Taylor/Dirrell will now be worried opponents. Kessler on the other hand will definitely have more success against a slower, less skillful fighter in Carl Froch.
ANRRE WARD DESERVED THE VICTORY....HE MASTERED THE FLIGHT OF OVERTHROWING HIS COMPONENT...HE REMINDS ME OF WHEN I WAS YOUNG LOOKING AT MUHAMMED ALI...HE WAS BOTH TALENTED....ON AND OFF THE BOXING RING...SHOWING CHARM...AND BEING A CENTER OF ATTENTION WHILE IN AND OFF THE RING.....GIVE ANDRE WHAT HE DESERVES HIS MOMENT OF FAME...
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!