Kessler v Froch

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I heard Froch on Talksport yesterday and he sounded thoroughly pissed off. I don't know what his problem was but had a right moan about the travelling (post volcano) he had to do to get to germany (I think), about the fight not being on TV (at least not one you don't need to pay for) but most importantly about the home judges likely to be favouring Kessler.

All in all it sounded like he was getting his excuses in early.

Then I find out he's 'carrying an injury'...

Carl Froch (6/5) says he is carrying an injury going into his fight with Mikkel Kessler (8/13) this weekend, but insists the problem will not hamper him.

The 32-year-old prepares to face the Dane Kessler in Herling on Saturday, in his second fight of the Super Six World Boxing Classic.

Froch (7/2 to win the bout on points) though has played down fears over his latest injury, which he refuses to disclose ahead of the WBC super-middleweight fight.

The Nottingham fighter, who beat Andre Dirrell in his first fight in the round-robin event, told the BBC: "I'm never ever 100% for any fight. I've had all sorts of injuries and knocks and bangs in the past."

Froch faces a tough examination though against Kessler, who has only been beaten twice in his career, by American Andre Ward in November last and against Joe Calzaghe in 2007.

Everything points to a Kessler win to me.

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an alternative view from bettingzone... .

WBC super-middleweight champion Carl Froch goes into the lion's den this weekend when he meets 'Viking Warrior' Mikkel Kessler in the latest Super Six match-up in Herning.

Back in the day it was the Danes coming over to British shores for a spot of pillage but Froch will be hoping to reverse that this weekend when he meets proud Norse man Kessler on his own patch.

'The Cobra' has a perfect 26-0 (20) record and it's a surprise that this fight is not being picked up by one of the main broadcasters, as this is a contest between two 12st super powers.

Kessler is a former WBA and WBC champion at the weight and has compiled a 42-2 (30) record since turning over in 1998.

In that time he has beaten quality types such as Anthony Mundine, Markus Beyer and Librado Andrade and he is insisting he's in "the best shape ever" for this one.

At 31 he's actually younger than Froch despite having more pro experience and it's worth remembering that the Dane has never lost on home soil. His first defeat came in a high-profile unification fight at 168lbs against Britain's Joe Calzaghe and though Mikkel acquitted himself well in that one he came off second best, losing a close but deserved decision in Cardiff in 2007.

He rebounded with three wins after the Calzaghe loss but last time out was beaten via technical decision by Andre Ward in California.

Kessler never looked himself against the gifted but less experienced Ward and was behind on the cards when the fight was halted in round 11. However the Dane admits he has gone "back to boxing school" for this one and reports suggest he is in fine physical shape.

Froch has always been regarded as a huge talent on these shores but he has really stepped up to the plate in recent years. In December 2008 he boxed Jean Pascal for the vacant WBC title and won a scintillating toe-to-toe encounter on points amid delirious scenes in his native Nottingham.

In his first defence he went to America and boxed former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor (who holds two wins against modern great Bernard Hopkins) and again took it to the trenches.

Froch was floored early on in the fight and trailing on points when he pulled the fight out of the fire with a fantastic final round stoppage victory.

And last time out he began his own Super Six campaign with a win when he decisioned the classy Andre Dirrell back in Nottingham.

It wasn't a vintage Froch display but he dug in and punched out a split decision win on the cards. Indeed that win looks even better now in light of Dirrell's recent win against fellow Super Six competitor Arthur Abraham.

So the scene is set for Saturday's battle and even though this one isn't now a unification fight with Kessler having lost his WBA belt it's still an intriguing, pick 'em affair.

The layers actually have Kessler as a slight betting favourite and may be paying heed to Froch's words in the run-up to this one that he isn't 100% fit and actually carrying some kind of injury (though nothing has been specified).

However I reckon such claims may actually be a bit of kidology on the part of Team Froch as I just don't see how they would ever go through with a fight of this magnitude unless they knew their man was in tip-top shape.

A win for Froch will all but guarantee him a place in the Super Six semi-finals while Kessler knows a defeat could spell the end of a long and distinguished career.

Froch has made no secret of the fact that he wants Kessler to come out and have a tear-up but the Dane is a savvy operator who boxes with a classic European style behind a solid jab and tight defence.

I don't see this one being a slug-fest early on as both protagonists have genuine respect for each other and may take a few rounds to feel one another out.

But once they do get down to it I fancy sparks to fly and given both fighters have good chins and a decent dig apiece the fans should be in for a treat.

I think Kessler is not without hope, especially boxing on home soil as he should be ultra motivated. But I can't get away from current form and the fact he look a poor imitation of the 'Viking Warrior' in his last outing. In sharp contrast Froch has looked the business in his last couple of outings and seems genuinely up for this.

I fancy the Brit to stamp his class all over the tournament in this one and send out a message to the rest of the world that he is after all the real deal by pummeling Kessler to a late stoppage win or, should that fail, at least winning handily on the cards and gaining the recognition and respect of Vikings everywhere.