The Stage 1 - Super Six World Boxing
Classic finale over Showtime cable last noche from the
Oracle Arena at Oakland, California, delivered what
was perceived as an upset win for local favorite Andre
Ward - but dont tell that to the confident
switch-hitter that showed from the opening bell he came
to bring home the proverbial bacon.
Ward, the more relaxed in demeanor, displayed the far
superior speed and technical skills than Kessler, his
age 30, veteran opponent of some 43 past kept
appointments.
Took Ward no later than numero uno
to put the plodding Dane on notice it would be a long
night - with the seconds ticking down to a precious
few, we first see Ward making the switch from orthodox
to port side - the straight left hand finding the
target.
Kessler never once over the front
side gave the slightest hint he could adjust to the
diversified younger challenger - Ward quickly moved
side to side, in and out, while firing stinging
combinations - all this while avoiding the infrequent
Kessler incoming.
Then it happens - stanza eight - the
first of maybe three inadvertent meetings of the mind,
and Kessler is cut over the left eye - again a Ward
head butt and before the mismatch is finally aborted by
medicine man in charge at 1:42 mark of eleven, the
gallant, strong chinned Dane is seen dripping red fluid
from over and below both orbits.
Enter, California hack referee in
charge Jack Reiss - word over the magic lantern is that
Reiss claims he had witnessed some five Ward
inadvertent head butts - thus it would go to the
scoring judges.
Judge Mikael Hook (Sweden) 97-93;
Stan Christodoulou (South Africa) 98-92; Steve Morrow
(USA) 98-92 - all for Andre Ward- would enter the
books as a unanimous technical decision.
My unofficial agreed it was all
Andre Ward - a virtuoso pugilistic performance that
played to the tune of 100-90.
Post Scripts: Andre Ward ( 21-0, 13
KO) ~ age 25 - the technical decision ruling cost the
still undefeated kid a point under the Super Six
tournament rules - thus Andre earned two points with
the win instead of three that currently has Abraham
atop the field by a single point.
Mikkel Kessler ( 42-2, 32 KO) ~
age 30. Entered the tourney as favorite - exits Stage 1
without a point along with damaged goods needing to
heal before next Stage begins.
................................................................
Final Stage 1 S/Six standings Circa Oct. 17 thru Nov.
21
...............................................................
Arthur Abraham - 3 points
Carl Froch - 2 points
Andre Ward - 2 points - claims WBA S/middle
title.
Mikkel Kessler - 0 points - loses WBA S/Middle
title.
Jermain Taylor - 0 points
Andre Dirrell - 0 points
..................................................................
Closing thoughts: Showtime Boxing has itself a dandy
format - the interest remains strong after opening
Stage1 - Stage 2 should upgrade the fan interest in the
points system. For now, I see the players to watch (in
alphabetical order) Abraham; Froch, Ward.
Commentators Gus Johnson - Al
Bernstein - Antonio Tarver a compatible trio. Jim Gray
should take a long walk on a short pier with all
pockets heavily weighted - and not a single saving soul
in sight.
