SHOBOX 9/12/09 Ward vs. Pudwill

Ward Stops Pudwill in 3 Rounds

Andre Ward landed very sharp, accurate punches last night stopping Shelby Pudwill in the 3rd round. This was a tune up bout before facing Denmark's Mikkel Kessler in Showtime's Super Middleweight Tournament. The 25 year old Ward, a 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, landed fast, effective combinations to the body and head of Pudwill. Pudwill could not get his punches off due to the blazing hand speed of Ward. Get your boxing protective equipment for less.

In the 1st round, Ward was walking Pudwill down, imposing his hand speed and overwhelming him with hard, effective combination punching. Ward continually beat Pudwill to the punch. Ward started to tee off on Pudwill in the 2nd round landing crisp, solid shots to the body. Ward dropped Pudwill in the 3rd round with a right-left hook combination. Pudwill suffered a cut over his left eye, but continued fighting. Andre Ward finished him with a left hook to the body and head followed by a barrage of clean punches, which caused the referee to stop the action.

Andre Ward improves his professional record to 20-0, 13 KO's and looks ready to battle Mikkel Kessler on November 21st. Look for Ward to use angles and a lot of movement against Kessler. If Ward can use his boxing ability to keep Kessler turning and not set to punch, it will enable him to land accurate combinations. Kessler will be the aggressor and cannot fight well backing up. If Ward can execute this game plan, he will take Kessler's strength away from him because Kessler will not be able to land power shots. Ward has the edge in hand speed, but Kessler's hand speed should not be taken lightly.

Shelby Pudwill's record falls to 22-4-1, 9 KO's. Look for a preview of all the match ups in the super middleweight tournament this week.

SHOBOX 9/12/09 Kessler vs. Perdomo

Kessler TKO's Perdomo in 4 Rounds

Mikkel Kessler looked sharp in his tune up fight before facing Andre Ward on November 21st in Showtime's Super Middleweight Tournament. The 30 year old from Denmark looked impressive landing mostly left jab-right hand combinations against Gusmyr Perdomo. Perdomo, a 33 year old southpaw from Venezuela, tried to stay busy behind his right jab, but could not deal with Kessler's power and underrated hand speed.

In the 1st round, Kessler patiently tried to land right hands off his left jab. As the round was about to end, Kessler landed a barrage of clean punches. In round 2, both fighters landed solid punches off their jabs. Kessler dropped Perdomo in the 3rd round with a quick, straight right that landed on Perdomo's left shoulder behind his ear as he turned into the punch. Perdomo was very dazed and appeared out on his feet. One minute into the 4th round, Kessler nailed Perdomo with another straight right that pushed him back into the ropes. Kessler started throwing and landing hard combinations that prompted the referee to stop the bout.

Mikkel Kessler was coming off of an 11 month layoff fighting in his home country of Denmark. He looks ready to meet Andre Ward in the 168lb. tournament. Against Ward, Kessler should try to establish a jab to keep him off balanced because Ward can box very well. Ward has the edge in hand speed, but Kessler's hand speed is vastly underrated. Kessler has the edge in power and if he can impose his will successfully on Ward, he will defeat him. Get ESPN magazine subscription for cheap. Mikkel Kessler improves his record to 42-1, 32 KO's. Gusmyr Perdomo's record falls to 18-3, 12 KO's.

Look for a preview of all the match ups in the super middleweight tournament this week.