From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Home advantage is an athletic competition phenomenon. The most-commonly cited factors of 
home advantage are usually ones whose advantageous effects are difficult to measure and thus even their existence is debated. Most of these are psychological in nature, such as familiarity with the playing grounds, the ability for participants to lodge in their homes rather than in a hotel, less likelihood of travel immediately prior to the game, and the psychological support of the fans in attendance."
When Andre Ward (20-0, 13 KOs) challenges arguably the best super middleweight in the world in Mikkel Kessler (42-1, 32 KOs) on Saturday, he’ll have Oakland, California on his side. And we will find out that the psychological support of the fans in attendance will inevitably influence the judges in attendance. It almost always does. No matter how competent or fair an official is, close fights (which I expect this fight to be) often have a way of going to the "home" fighter.
Ward also brings an array of other advantages into the ring against Kessler. He’s very fast of hand and foot, and only 25 years old. This speed-youth combination is going to be a bundle for Kessler to overcome. And if Ward’s career-defining (so far) decision victory over Edison Miranda is any indication, Ward can perform well on the big stage against a credible opponent.
It doesn’t get more credible than Mikkel Kessler at 168 pounds. He’s taken on and defeated Anthony Mundine, Eric Lucas, Markus Beyer, and Librado Andrade. His only loss was to Joe Calzaghe (retired). In addition to facing far superior competition, Kessler packs a heavier punch than Ward. And if that punch lands, Ward has demonstrated (i.e. early in his career) that he may not be able to take it well.
This Saturday the battle-tested Kessler’s determination and power will go up against Ward’s speed, youth and home-ring advantage. The scores will read 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 in favor of Andre Ward. Yes, you can go home again.
While certainly Andre Ward is the “stouter” of the two Andres, I feel that that Mikkel simply posseses a little too much skill ang ring savy for Ward. I do expect a very interesting show from thed Ward/Kesseler match-up and I expect that Ward will give a good account of himself however, I see mikkel wining by decision. Look for an entertaining fight and a coming-of-age for the young Mr. Ward. This loss won’t hurt Ward, but will a very good learning experience as well as an opportunity for growth.
@jabbo Very fair outlook on this fight. I agree with you EXCEPT for one small thing: the outcome of the fight! =) I think the “home ring” advantage will be the difference. I also think Kessler’s recent soft competition is no kinda prep for a major fight like this in hostile territory (Oakland, CA, USA).
You know Ja, I did take in to account the fact that andre has that home-town/home-court advantage and in fact that’s why I’m extra sure that he’ll really give a good account of himself. What detracts from my expectation of a Ward win however, is his peformance against the once faily formitable edison miranda. I would have expected Ward to cruise past Edison with a more ease, although Miranda is a rough and tumble guy he is certainly old news at this point and if Andre was prepared to beat a Mikkel Kessler I believe he would handled Edison a little better. I do believe is that Ward is constantly mproving and a couple of competetive fights down the road will surely render him “Kessler proof”.
Kessler-proof, I like that term. I think Ward’s already that. We’ll see in two days jabbo.
@Ja Dawson:
Andre Ward has shown he is a very good fighter with great boxing skills and foot speed. He will use the ring wisely in a 8-4 decision victory over the very tough less skillful Kessler.
@mark Long time, no comment fella…nice to have you back…and that’s kinda how I see it unfolding.
Great prediction Ja, You had this one down. I could not believe how clueless Vegas was on the odds they gave on the fight. It was not even close. Andre Ward is the second coming of Roy Jones Jr. An Exciting fighter, I will watch with interest.
Thanks for the props Jeff. Agreed – not sure why Vegas was so high on Kessler going into this fight. I mean, Kessler’s a good fighter but when I looked more closely at his fight resume, his performance against Calzaghe and his recent inactivity/recent competition and the fact the fight was in Oakland, it spelled a unanimous decision win for Ward in my book. Were it not for the cuts (which I do NOT believe were caused by INTENTIONAL head butts by Ward), I think my predictions (scores) would have come out close to what I predicted. Thanks for writing dude. Stay tuned for more (hopefully correct) predictions (lol) and a free Christmas give-away in a few weeks folks who subscribe to my email alerts and user comments during the week of Christmas (or earlier, I haven’t exactly decided the time-frame).
i certainly called this one wrong, however, I must say that the ONlY REASON Andre Ward won that fight was due to a kink in Kessler’s armor and everyone could see what that was and for those who don’t, I going to tell you what it was. It was called Andre Ward ! Ward just keeps getting better, I don’t know about anyone else but I have even a significant improvement since Miranda. I expected Ward to evolve, just not as quickly. “Hats off”to Ward and his camp! And to you for having the ” fight-insight” to predict this one. It’s been sometimes alledge that I have a big appetite, but this the first time I’ve had to eat my words. .good call.
@jabbo: Thanks for the kudos. It’s rare that my fellow e-friends and e-followers give me props when I am right. But they sure do give me hell when I am wrong (e.g. about Cotto-Margarito). But I tend to agree, and in hindsight, I think we all may have overrated Kessler. Not that he’s a bad fighter – he’s a very solid one by all means, but his troubles with Calzaghe as well as his resume, which was littered by come-forward fighters who are made-to-order for him, should have given many folks a hint that Ward was DEFINITELY gonna trouble him.