Ward picked up the WBA super middleweight title along with his two points for beating the tournament favorite in Kessler. The referee stopped the fight at 1:42 of round eleven on the recommendation of the ring doctor. Kessler had sustained cuts over both eyes as a result of headbutts (ruled unintentional by the referee) and, in the doctors judgement, was no longer able to safely continue fighting. Since the fight was stopped due to an accidental headbutt after four rounds had been completed, the judges determined the winner. The scores: 97-93 and 98-92 twice, all for Ward.
Although Kessler was the champion and had more experience against better opposition, Ward came in as the favorite among many boxing writers because of his speed and mobility. He didn't disappoint.
Ward Used his Jab to Win Early Rounds
Ward, 21-0 (13) established his jab at the opening bell and followed it with punches from every direction imaginable. Kessler, 42-2 (32) blocked many of Wards jabs in round one, but Ward threw them in sufficient volume that winning the round wasn't in question when the bell sounded.
When Ward, 25, wasn't coming forward behind his jab and snapping off hooks to Kessler's head, he was stepping back, trying to draw fire from Kessler, 30, in order to return fire with some counters of his own. The Ward plan worked to perfection in round five when Ward smacked Kessler with a blinding right hand that buckled the Dane's knees. By this time, Ward was working his shots up and down. Jabs to the body, hooks upstairs and straight rights (or lefts, depending on Ward's stance; he switched back and forth all night) laid violence on Kessler.
Ward's head got in its fair share of work too. Taking a page from the Evander Holyfield school of using your head, Ward often jumped into battle, head first, eyes wide open. Though Ward's head opened the cuts that ultimately lead to the fight being stopped, Kessler made no adjustments that would have prevented headbutts. Content to stay planted firmly in front of ward, Kessler found himself fighting Ward's noggin as well as his fists.
Kessler Accused Ward of Intentional Headbutts
After the fight, Kessler complained bitterly about Ward holding and headbutting. "I'm not used to the referee not stopping the fight when he holds me," Kessler said afterwards. "He was coming in with his head on purpose.
Whether or not that's true, it's undeniable that Ward came in with his fists on purpose, and that they gave Kessler all he could handle even wiothout the capable assisstance of his cranium.
Ward Not Intimidated by Kessler
No matter his methods, Ward knows exactly why he won the fight. "I wasn't intimidated by his record," said the new WBA super middleweight champion. Beyond that, Ward claimed surprise that Kessler didn't do more, strategically, to win.
"I'm surprised he didn't make any adjustments.
Next up for Ward is Jermain Taylor, who suffered a knockout and the hands of Arthur Abraham earlier in the tournament.
Bill Scherer - Bill Scherer has written for RingSports.com and TigerBoxing.com, enjoyed a stint as the Managing Editor for FightTube.tv and is a United ...
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