Team RSR Fight Picks: Mikkel Kessler Vs Carl Froch and Chris Arreola Vs Tomasz Adamek
Compiled by Brian Wilbur
This Saturday, boxing fans will be treated to two interesting and competitive main events. The first bout is between two European juggernauts Mikkel Kessler and Carl Froch, which is apart of the sensational Super Six tournament in the super middleweight division. This is the second fight in the tournament for both men, who are trying to get past the qualification round into the final four.
On a rival network, former Light Heavyweight and Cruiserweight Champion Tomasz Adamek will fight in his second match in the “glamour” division. His opponent is rough and rugged contender Chris Arreola. Both of these heavyweights love to slug it out so expect a fun fight while it lasts.
The team of writers at RSR offer their predictions.
Mikkel Kessler vs. Carl Froch
Jeff Stoyanoff
Kessler seemed bothered by the speed of Ward (and Calzaghe if you want to go back that far). Fortunately, he doesn’t have that problem with Froch who isn’t quite that fast. Unfortunately, Kessler doesn’t move well as Dirrell and that should help Froch get his offense going. This should be another fantastic fight with both guys getting some good work done. Kessler by split decision.
Geno McGahee
Carl Froch is going to catch Mikkel Kessler somewhere late in the fight. Kessler wants to be explosive and win by KO, opening him up to Froch and playing right into his hands. Froch by KO in 10.
Gina L. Caliboso
I have been waiting for this match up since the first round when Ward defeated Kessler and Froch defeated Dirrell. I have a new found appreciation for the technical ability of Kessler and the sheer brawl of Froch. In order to win, Kessler must throw in as many combinations and power punches as possible in order to wear down Froch. Kessler has to take the early rounds and maintain ring generalship. By contrast, Froch will brawl and brawl. Prediction: Kessler wins by UD over 12 rounds.
Joe Wilson
This fight will go into the later rounds. I got Kessler winning by TKO in round 10.
Michael “Rubber Warrior” Plunkett
Look for Froch to make Kessler’s advanced years and dried-out recent form show. “The Beak” by 11th-round TKO.
Dan “Tex” Cohen
Mikkel Kessler is a great fighter. His only losses have come against slicksters. However, Froch has fought two guys who are almost as slick as the two boxers that handed Kessler those defeats. What we have not seen is Froch’s chin; I’m betting it’s good. If that assumption is wrong, Kessler will really rough him up, but Froch seems like the type of guy who gets by on grit and guts, and those guys can usually take a punch. I’m going with Froch by UD or late knockout.
SJ Jarapa
Carl Froch by a wide margin.
Geoff “The Professor” Poundes
We’ll find out in this fight whether Kessler is the real deal, or a manufactured champion. I know that’s a harsh statement on a guy who’s won 42 fights and will be boxing his 11th world title fight Saturday night, but Kessler’s level of opposition has not been up to the mark, and in his two biggest tests, Calzaghe and Andre Ward, he’s been found wanting. In the Ward fight he was plain awful, and got his ears boxed off. One thing’s for certain, he won’t have to go looking for Froch, who appears to be at his happiest when he’s proving how granite his chin is. Froch took bombs from Jean Pascal and Jermain Taylor, and barely shifted. I think this will be a tear up, with neither fighter giving ground, and I can see them both hitting the deck at some point in the fight. However, Froch is the stronger man, and will take a close but clear decision over Kessler.
“Bad” Brad Berkwitt
Carl Froch by split decision.
Brian Wilbur
I am a big Kessler fan so I hope he proves me wrong, but that performance against Andre Ward makes me questions Mikkel’s current form. Perhaps he has lost what once made him special? The blueprint on how to beat Kessler was put on display by Ward and Calzaghe, and Froch is decent and versatile enough to emulate those tactics. Froch is one of those guys who wins ugly and I expect him to do the same here, beating Kessler on points.
Final Tally
Carl Froch – 7
Mikkel Kessler – 3
Chris Arreola vs. Tomasz Adamek
Jeff Stoyanoff
The question I have in this one is how will Arreola respond when he walks into a strong right hand from Adamek? Because it will happen. I suspect that Arreola will take the shots well. Adamek is fast but pretty stationary which should allow Arreola to pull him into exchanges. This will be a good action fight with both guys landing and taking good shots. Arreola should pound out a surprisingly tight unanimous decision win.
Geno McGahee
Chris Arreola is in good shape according to reports and that’s bad news for Tomasz Adamek. Adamek is a better fighter overall, but he is going to be too small to fend off the bigger and stronger Arreola. Expect an exciting heavyweight scrap with Arreola walking through Adamek and stopping him in 8 rounds.
Gina L. Caliboso
My heart is saying Arreola because I met him at Pechanga and I wished him good luck against Adamek. Arreola is also from So. Cal and I’ll always root for the local favorite. (Writer’s Aside: Go Mosley!) But now, here’s my head. If Arreola properly prepared for this fight, improved his conditioning, learned to technically box, he will beat Adamek. Adamek is a solid fighter with only one notable loss against Chad Dawson over 12 rounds. But if it’s one thing about European fighters, expect the unexpected. Arreola must establish his power from the moment the bell rings and take the fight. Prediction: Arreola wins by TKO over 10 rounds.
Joe Wilson
I feel Adamek will get caught exchanging big blows with Arreola in the middle rounds. Arreola catches him with something big and lights out. Arreola wins by KO.
Michael “Rubber Warrior” Plunkett
My head says Chris Arreola via late TKO, yet my gut says maybe Tomasz Adamek will find a way to squeak past him. Adamek by decision.
Dan “Tex” Cohen
Arreola irks me. His inability to get in shape is clearly his greatest weakness. Not taking care of yourself is downright dangerous if you are a prize fighter. That makes you self-destructive or stupid. I don’t like either trait in the boxing ring, and I know that Arreola is far from self-destructive. He cracked back from trouble against Travis Walker in a way that let us know his survival instinct. If he arrives in shape, he wins. If he weighs 260, Adamek toasts him in a lopsided UD. I’ll shrug and bet on Arreola not keeping the weight off. The Pole by UD.
SJ Jarapa
Arreola in 8.
Geoff “The Professor” Poundes
I think Arreola was shown up against Klitschko, and anyone with decent ability will get past him. Were it not for Arreola’s 30-40 pound weight advantage I’d say Adamek by late stoppage, but I suspect the big American will be able to lumber through 12 rounds, even if he’s going to be punching air. Adamek by wide decision.
“Bad” Brad Berkwitt
Tomasz Adamek by unanimous decision.
Brian Wilbur
Conventional wisdom says that Adamek is not a true heavyweight so Arreola will defeat him with sheer size and power. I’m going to disagree with conventional wisdom this time since I have such a low opinion of Arreola’s boxing skills. I say Adamek has the technique and championship experience to out-maneuver the reckless attacks of Arreola. I am assuming that Adamek is smart enough not to get into a brawl with Arreola. Tomasz on points.
Final Tally
Tomasz Adamek – 5
Chris Arreola – 5