Undefeated WBA Super Middleweight Champion Andre “S.O.G.” Ward, 21-0, 13 KO’s, scored an eleven round technical unanimous decision victory over Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler, 42-2, 32 KO’s, by scores of 97-93 and 98-92 (twice) to take the Super Middleweight Title and draw the first blood for the American side of the Super Middleweight Tournament bracket at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, on Showtime Championship Boxing.
“Right now, I’m dreaming,” Ward said at his own after-party. “I don’t know what I’m feeling. I can’t compare this to winning the Gold Medal, because it’s going to take a while for it all to sink in. … Everyone said we got the bad draw, but we just beat the toughest guy.” (Credit Associated Press)
Ward, a +150 underdog in the fight (according to Bodog Sports), dominated the fight with a variety of stick and move strategies. As the punches piled up, Kessler’s face turned into something resembling a busted grapefruit. Much of the damage was the result of accidental head butts, an occurrence which, according to Ward, numbered “two.” Kessler, however, felt that Ward should have at least been warned about the fouls.
“He was the better man tonight, but I would have liked the fight to go another minute,” Kessler said. “I knew I could have continued. I was cut, but the cuts weren’t that bad. He threw a lot of elbows, and there were a lot of head butts, and he never got any warnings.” (Credit Associated Press)
Kessler, the tournament favorite, held his own in the early portions of the fight, but found himself backing up against the greener, but more aggressive fighter as the battle wore on. Ward turned the momentum of the fight in the fourth frame with a stunning uppercut that put Kessler on the defensive for the remainder of the fight. Kessler’s only other career loss came against another stick and move fighter in Joe Calzaghe. Similarly, Ward’s previously best career win came in the form of a boxing clinic against the once-frightening Edison Miranda. However, because Ward did not formerly have the reputation of Calzaghe and Kessler is thought of as a better scrapper than Miranda, this fight presented an intriguing dilemma for bettors around the world.
The aftermath of the bout has caused even more problems for the likes of gamblers and odds makers. Arthur Abraham now most certainly becomes the tournament favorite, as his first round performance has put him in the lead in the tournament and left him as the longest lineal belt holder in the tournament. Abraham held a middleweight belt and is considered by many to be the best middleweight in the world during his reign from 2005 to earlier this year. His recent, brutally impressive knockout of Kessler puts him in a league of his own and likely elevates him to prime tournament favorite, especially if Kessler is knocked out after the opening rounds.
Also on the card:
-Undefeated Welterweight Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield, 11-0, 7 KO’s, handled 23-year-old light middleweight Francisco “Chia” Santana, 11-2, 5 KO’s, by way of a fifth round stoppage, tagging the Santa Barbara native with his first knockout loss. -Young Super Featherweight Prospect Stan “The Man” Martyniouk, 8-0, 1 KO, remained undefeated with a four round unanimous decision victory over veteran journeyman Anthony “Maestrito” Martinez, 21-33, 9 KO’s.
-Veteran Southpaw Jose “Cuate” Celaya, 31-6, 16 KO’s, dropped a shutout unanimous decision by score of 40-36 (three times) to Tony Hirsch, 10-3, 5 KO’s. The loss was Celaya’s third in a row. Hirsch bounced back from a split decision loss to Santana in September.
-Super Featherweight Prospect Mel Crossty, 4-0, 1 KO, stayed undefeated with a unanimous decision win over Carlos Herrera, 2-3, 1 KO.
Quick Jabs
-In attendance Saturday night were former NFL running back Herschel Walker, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, Golden State Warriors guards Stephen Curry and Anthony Morrow, boxing champions Nonito Donaire and Devon Alexander, and Ward’s and Kessler’s fellow tournament contestant Andre Dirrell.
-Ward has completely rearranged the odds of the tournament. He may have the highest ceiling for realized talent of any of the fighters in this round robin. Arthur Abraham should definitely take note so he can prepare for a contender that no one expected to crash the party.
-Outside of the tournament context, Ward has had a downright incredible year. He is now 4-0, 1 KO, against Kessler, Shelby Pudwill, Edison Miranda and Henry Buchanan. The beginning of his year began with the securing of a minor belt, a title he defended in his second fight of the year. Ward then scored his knockout in a tune-up against Pudwill before earning the belt in this most recent victory over Kessler.
-This is Ward’s coming out party. Kessler is by far the toughest customer he has ever cashed out, and he did so in rather impressive fashion.
-I would like to take just a moment to pat myself on the back: I picked Ward by UD. Give me some sugar.
