Froch v Kessler II: Evergreen Froch can make home advantage count

Carl Froch was arguably right to feel aggrieved after his loss to Mikkel Kessler in Denmark and home advantage could prove the difference this time.

Froch, who is 4/7 to win the rematch, lost the initial fight by unanimous decision, with the judges scoring 116-112, 115-113 and 117-111. However, it was arguably a much closer fight than that and for many a draw, which is 25/1 this time, would have seemed a fairer result.

The Nottingham man will be hoping that home advantage will be similarly pivotal this time as he hopes to continue his unbeaten record when fighting on UK soil.

Similarly, Kessler, currently11/8, has only fought outside of Denmark four times, with the Dane losing two of those bouts. Froch will be hoping that it is déjà vu for the Viking Warrior, who lost his unbeaten record when he last fought in the UK against Joe Calzaghe.

That fight came three years ago and since then both fighters have experienced similar fortunes. They have dispatched all opponents with relative ease, apart from the extremely talented Andre Ward who defeated both. How each fighter has matured since then could provide clues as to how they will fair this time.

Kessler’s style seems to have changed with age. While the Dane has always possessed fantastic power, which he has unleashed on his opponents with frequency, it could be argued that he is not as slick a customer as he once was.

In his performance against Calzaghe, while he lost the fight, he often proved difficult to hit with good head movement and solid defence. It could be argued that this has not been seen in more recent fights, although there is no shame in being out-boxed by the brilliant Ward.

If this does prove to be the case, however, it could play into the hands of Froch who is formidable in any toe-to-toe affair, with 22 knock-outs and a proven chin. That was typified in his performance against former IBF Champion Lucian Bute, who Froch dispatched in five rounds.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.