The Boxing Weekend: Carl Froch Vs Mikkel Kessler Headline
By Geno McGahee
Don’t you hate it when HBO and Showtime have boxing on the same night? It’s especially frustrating when both cards are incredibly interesting.
HBO’s BAD
HBO presents a double header with a heavyweight collision that is sure to be exciting. Former Light Heavyweight and Cruiserweight Champion, Tomasz Adamek, 40-1, 27 KO’s, has made a splash in the division with a knockout of fellow Polish heavyweight, Andrew Golota, but he is making a very big step up as he takes on the powerhouse slugger, Chris “Nightmare” Arreola, 28-1, 25 KO’s. It is set for 12 rounds for the IBF International Heavyweight Title, but more importantly, this is about making a statement to the Klitschko brothers and moving closer to a title shot. Arreola had his chance and came in out of shape in a losing effort to WBC Champion, Vitali Klitschko. He is now, reportedly, in shape, and looks to redeem himself.
Arreola, despite his lack of dedication to the sport, has made a name for himself. He is a gutsy slugger with power in both hands. He doesn’t quit, often getting hurt and coming back to win. He recently feasted on the smaller Brian Minto en route to a TKO win. The plan for Team Arreola must be to squash a bunch of smaller guys with the hopes of rebuilding his reputation as a menace in the ring. Adamek fits the bill.
Adamek is a better fighter than Arreola all around, but sometimes a good big man can beat a great small man, and how will he deal with the pure strength of Arreola? He will be coming in at around 220 pounds, small for the heavyweight division, while Arreola typically tips the scales at 250, but expect less of him on fight night. I think we will see Arreola between 240-245 entering the ring, which is bad news for Adamek. Adamek will have to move and use his superior boxing ability but I’m not sure he can keep Arreola at bay. Good fight for the fans and for boxing!
In the co-main event, we have Alfredo Angulo, 17-1, 14 KO’s, returns to the ring against Joel Julio, 35-3, 31 KO’s, in a 12 round bout for the Interim WBO Light Middleweight Title. Angulo seemed to take too much of a step in his sixteenth fight when he stepped into the ring with former champion, Kermit Cintron, losing a unanimous decision, but he has rebounded with two knockout wins and now steps into the ring with Julio.
Julio is a big puncher that began his career with a lot of hype, but lost badly to Carlos Quintana and then was stopped by James Kirkland. He has a puncher’s chance come Saturday night and did rock Kirkland a few times before succumbing to the punishment. This should be a fun war with Angulo coming out on top via mid round stoppage.
Showtime
Showtime presents a bout between WBC Super Middleweight Champion, Carl Froch, 26-0, 20 KO’s, and challenger Mikkel Kessler, 42-2, 32 KO’s. It is a second round match up in the Super Six Tournament. Froch won his last fight, a close decision over Andre Dirrell, while Kessler, the initial favorite in the tournament, lost badly to Andre Ward. Froch is a power-puncher and Kessler is aggressive with something to prove. This is two freight trains on a collision course.
Froch vs. Kessler is going to be a battle that probably won’t make to the distance. Either man could take it. A great fight.