In a career-defining performance, undefeated hometown favorite Andre Ward (21-0, 13 KOs) put the U.S. on the board in the Super Six World Boxing Classic and captured the WBA super middleweight title with a dominant 11th-round technical decision over Denmark’s Mikkel Kessler (42-2, 32 KOs) in their Group Stage 1 bout. Read More
An exciting, one-sided match was stopped at 1:42 of the 11th round by the ringside physician, Dr. Smith Ketchum, due to cuts around both of Kessler’s eyes. After 10 completed rounds, Ward was
ahead by the scores of 98-92 on two of the scorecards and 97-93 on the other.
A raucous, pro-Ward crowd of 10,277, which included Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Hall of Famer Herschel Walker, Metallica drummer and Kessler fan, fellow Dane Lars Ulrich, Super Six fighter Andre Dirrell and Strikeforce Mixed Martial Arts stars Scott Smith, Josh Thompson and Gilbert Melendez, turned out at Oakland’s Oracle Arena for what became a virtuoso performance by Ward.
Kessler entered the scheduled 12-round fight as a co-favorite to win the tournament and a 3:1 favorite to beat Ward, but after a scintillating performance, Ward has perhaps stamped himself as the one to beat.
“This was my dream come true and right now I’m dreaming,” said an ecstatic Ward, who won an Olympic Games gold medal for the United States in 2004. “It may take a while for all of this to sink it, but I am enjoying it all. This is a moment I’ll never forget.”
Heading into Saturday, the tournament had been an all European affair and online pokies nz with Arthur Abraham and Carl Froch defeating Americans Jermain Taylor and Andre Dirrell in Germany and England, respectively, in their Group Stage 1 fights last Oct. 17 on SHOWTIME. But the U.S. is now on the board, thanks to Ward, who made it three consecutive hometown favorites to win in the Super Six. Standings after Group Stage 1 the six-fighter, round-robin tournament: Abraham (three points); Ward and Froch (two points apiece); and Kessler, Taylor and Dirrell (zero points).
Upcoming Group Stage 2 matchups (dates to be announced): Abraham vs. Dirrell; Froch vs. Kessler; and Ward vs. Taylor.
Ward effectively switched from orthodox to southpaw, consistently beat Kessler to the punch, never gave the Dane a moment to relax and bloodied the defending champion around both eyes to
the delight of the fans who chanted “USA, USA” on several occasions.
“He never hurt me,” Ward said. “I was a little surprised that they stopped it when they did. I had just connected with a big right hand and would like to have seen what would have happened if the round had continued.
“I felt like it was my time. We were not intimidated by Kessler’s record. Everyone felt that we got the bad draw in the first round. We never believed that. We beat the top guy.
“This win is as much for me as it is for Virgil Hunter. He has an Olympic gold medal with me and now he has a world championship.
“There were two accidental butts. I am not a dirty fighter. Everyone knows that. I’m ready to go and take the next step.
Source Showtime Sports
You know Edgar….and Tijuana……
Andre Ward is getting more better and better every time I see him fight, and what makes him so dangerous and special is that he wants too learn all the time, that’s what I love about this young man. He wasn’t an Olympic Gold Medalist for nothing. That’s a huge achievement and honor and also an exceptional resume too bring with you into your professional career. They seem too forget that, the critics I’m referring too
The only thing that I wish he did more too Mikkel kessler that night, was go too his body. I was pleading for him in front of that Television big screen T.V shouting like a mad man, “” go too his body”’, If he had done that he would have knocked him out easy. Mikkel Kessler was begging to get hit in his body…..LOL….
I was quite surprise because Ward is a beautiful body puncher.
They also he has no experience, Well he’s the new WBA world champion now is that enough experience now…I think so…….
Andre Ward is the truth….. Rather if you don’t want too except it or not we might not have any choice …..LOL
I agree, what a performance by Ward, who is the favorite now? hehe
If he can keep on doing what he did on this fight, he will win the tournament, no doubt about it, he took him to school and Kessler didn’t know what to do, this is going to be an even more interesting tournament from now on.
Congrats Ward, that’s how you do it!
Brown, well said!
That was a great performance on Andre Ward I had him winning this fight and also the tournament. This young man is the truth and he can sure box very well.
Its funny How Mikkel Kessler says that Andre Ward is a typical American fighter, especially when he has never really fought one at all since he met up with Andre Ward, in the United States for the first time.
Your excuse and complain is about a two accidental head but, but mean while Your own judge had you loosing the fight from the beginning, not 1 single round for you,
These fighters have a some little fundamental in Europe but they haven’t really fought anyone. No offense but I never really heard of Mikkel Kessler and even also Carl Froch.
I’m sorry but they cannot not box. They don’t move theirs head at all,
very stiff fighters. You can’t hide in Europe and say that your a legitimate when some of you don’t even cross the boarder and fight….Ohh Please…
Well Congrats too Mikkel Kessler!!! And Welcome too North America Buddy!! Because you just got beaten by a typical American fighter.
If you want too see dirty fighting your next fight with Carl Froch will be a dirty one.
Those head but will be the least of your worries, Next time quit complaining and mover your daam head in the ring when you fight maybe you won’t get hit as much…..
That’s how you learn too box’s….Move your Daam head……..LOL
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