Backing Kessler to beat Froch may pay after Buffer comments

Another layer of glitz, glamour and gravitas has certainly been added to the super-middleweight title unification bout between Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler with the news that legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer will be on microphone duty in London.

And although Buffer hasn’t gone all out with a prediction for the clash, his comments have suggested that Kessler may be the better bet at the prices at 11/8.

Both combatants arguably have one area of significant advantage ahead of the fight, with Kessler knowing he can beat Froch as he has done so once before, while the Brit has home advantage.

But aside from that, Buffer believes that they are fairly evenly matched and so there is little to choose between them.

He said: “In my opinion, there may be no difference in the tangibles of boxing with experience, chin, speed, power, conditioning and the will-to-win being so close to equal.

“Focus will be the key to success when the bell rings.”

Froch heads into the fight as the 4/7 favourite to triumph and should have few focus issues as he seeks revenge for his 2010 unanimous decision loss to his Danish foe.

However, the focus may be even stronger for Kessler as he has vowed to retire should he not beat Froch again.

One of the issues of the first fight was to do with the scoring, with Kessler’s home advantage potentially seeing him edge a few of the tighter rounds which technically could have gone either way.

There should be no such controversies this time as the two promoters Eddie Hearn and Kalle Sauerland have agreed that none of the ringside judges will be from either England or Denmark.

Meanwhile, the early speculation will be that Pete Podgorski from the US will be the third man in the ring.

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