In the end, all three judges favored Calzaghe: 117-111, 116-112 and 116-112. Calzaghe required no hometown help on the scorecards, but it may have been there had he needed it as the fight took place in front of a wildly pro-Calzaghe crowd of 50,150 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
After the fight, Calzaghe called out Bernard Hopkins for a meeting at 175 pounds. One possible roadblock: Calzaghe will want to fight in Wales while Hopkins will want to fight in the United States. Other possible opponents for Calzaghe include the winner of January's Roy Jones Jr.-Felix Trinidad fight or February's rematch between Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor. Kessler hoped for a rematch with Calzaghe.
Elsewhere: Juan Manuel Marquez retained his WBC super featherweight title with a one-sided unanimous decision over Rocky Juarez in Tucson, Arizona. Juarez was bothered throughout by a bad cut over his left eye -caused by an accidental clash of heads in round one - but that's not why he lost ... it was the brilliant boxing of Marquez that determined the outcome. The judges had it a near shut out for Marquez: 120-108, 118-110 and 117-111.
After the fight, Marquez called for a rematch with Manny Pacquiao. Juarez, predictably, called for a rematch. Boxing fans hope Marquez gets his wish.
Comments
I told you all Calzaghe would handle up on Kessler! If the referee hadnt cheated and grabed Calzaghe he would have knocked Kessler out just like I said he would!
“So Sayeth Lito”
I loved that little shrug of the shoulders and “I didn’t realise how good he was” from Kessler after the match. Brilliant.
Bernard Hopkins next? Should be a tasty match! (Providing he rises to the challenge obviously)
I loved that shrug of the shoulders and “I didn’t realise how good he was” from Kessler afterwards. Brilliant.
Bernard Hopkins next? Should be a good fight, providing he doesn’t duck out.
Calzaghe had another great performance. He would easily beat Hopkins. He should grab up the light heavyweight title and then retire while he is on top.
Calzaghe has nothing more to prove and can carry the extra weight to take Hopkins, and get rich coming to the US to do it. Kessler gave him a good fight but was hurt when the idiot ref gave him a break. His best bet is to come up and try 175 too, unless he wants to stay a good fighter in the minor leagues.
A great fight from two guys with talent, experience and courage–but Kessler just was not there for that extra bit he needed. I noticed he is very conventional and if you looked carefully, you could see he always needed to set hisfeet to get off. Calzaghe saw this and just never let him get set. Calzaghe moves really well and can get punches off faster than just about anyone–he threw more than 1000 punches in 12 rounds–incredible. Kessler is very good and can beat just about anyone I figure except Calzaghe or Pavlik. Pavlik is faster and smarter and hits a lot harder than Kessler. I think Pavlik also hits harder than Calzaghe but can’t match him in speed–no one can just now at the 168 weight. But a Pavlik-Calzaghe fight would be spectacular, better I think than Hopkins-Calzaghe.
That was a great fight until Calzaghe took control in the middle rounds.
They both gave as much as they took, then Calzaghe stepped up to another level and was just too much for Kessler.
I to believe that the ref saved Kessler because at that point he was really hurt by Calzaghe.
A fight with Hopkins would only generate money. Hopkins has seen his better days and would be over powered easily. Now Pavlik is another story.
What a fight there would be between Pavlik and Calzaghe.
Kessler did that fight with a broken hand !!. He was afraid that if he called of the fight he wouldnt get the chance again. I only tought things like that happens in films but this was real life .
Calzaghe sould give him a fight again !! then we will see who the real champ is!!.