Showtime's super middleweight tournament is ON!
by Sickle on Jul 13, 2009 4:48 PM EDT
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Carl Froch, Mikkel Kessler, Arthur Abraham, Andre Dirrell and Jermain Taylor pose at the press conference at Madison Square Garden announcing the Super Six World Boxing Classic, which will pit six of the world’s top super middleweights in a series of bouts. Andre Ward was unable to attend.
Arthur Abraham: It has always been my goal to fight against the worlds best fighters. This is like a dream coming true. Now I want to become the best fighter at super-middleweight.
Mikkel Kessler: This tournament is a big opportunity to test myself as a world champion.
Jermain Taylor: I made a lot of mistakes in my career but I’m going to take it back to the drawing board and rededicate myself to boxing.
Carl Froch: I will remain WBC Champion throughout this tournament no matter what anybody thinks.
Andre Dirrell: Right now my heart is beating 100 miles an hour. It’s because I know I’m in a blessed position to become the greatest of all time.
Ken Hershman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports: "The 168-pound division is the most talent rich in boxing right now. And the Super Six tournament structure will deliver one compelling matchup after another. And to deliver all of this directly to our subscribers on SHOWTIME is a fight fans dream come true. I can’t wait to get started."
Super Middleweight Tournament photo shoot. It was called secret photo shoot, but honestly it's out. Ain't a secret anymore.
(Front page add by Brickhaus)
FanPosts do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors of Bad Left Hook or SB Nation. They might, though.
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Interesting results on the poll, though I agree on Kessler. It will be interesting to see how Abraham handles the extra weight and how Kessler responds after fighting club fighters for the past 2 years.
Boxing is like jazz. The better it is, the less people appreciate it.
-George Foreman
by jsims2 on Jul 13, 2009 9:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm with Kessler as well
I’m surprised so many people are voting for Taylor, who’s lost 3 of his last 4, including one against someone in the tournament, and especially considering that he’ll have to go up against Arthur Abraham, who seems like a downright rotten style matchup for Taylor (i.e. a KO puncher who blocks punches and comes on late vs. a guy who gasses out at the end of fights)
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
by Brickhaus on Jul 14, 2009 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Bute would win if he were in but would have trouble vs a guy like Abraham given that an unskilled Andrade could get to him.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on Jul 14, 2009 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I’m going with Mikkel. I think people are going to be surprised by how good he really is. Taylor would be my last pick honestly. I think he’s a great guy but the only dude in the tournament I’d pick him to beat right now is Ward.
by SC on Jul 14, 2009 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that video shows how cool of a dude taylor is. despised him as a fighter, but the fact that he can have a laugh with a dude who completely mauled him in the final round of a fight that happened less than 5 months ago is just awesome.
The Dude Abides
by battle axe of doom on Jul 15, 2009 5:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can’t believe this is going to be on…
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on Jul 13, 2009 10:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You got to like how the fighters are pumped for the tournament….
Yeah… and Abraham is short… Funny moment with Taylor and Froch.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on Jul 13, 2009 10:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
There's omething really homoerotic about this..
…Hahah.. No offense intended to anyone.
by wrakneelyo on Jul 14, 2009 12:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hot Damn… This is really happening. This is easily the biggest news in boxing this year thus far. Will all of the fights happen on Showtime and I’m guessing with the Finals on PPV?
You got to assume the three favorites are Froch, Abraham, and Kessler. I personally like Kessler to win.
Froch vs Dirrell, Taylor vs Abraham, and Kessler vs Ward are the first match ups. Then each fighter will face 2 other fighters.. The 4 with the most points move on.. I’ll call for Froch, Kessler, Abraham, and Ward to move on.
Maybe this will elicit for other tournaments to happen in other weight classes depending on how successful this one goes.
by MatteoFC on Jul 14, 2009 3:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The whole thing will be televised in the States on Showtime, and there are lots of European networks (Sky, ARD, etc) that are on board too. I honestly doubt unless this thing catches fire that even the finals would be on PPV.
The first night of the tourney, for the record, is October 10 with a Showtime double-header of Abraham-Taylor from Germany and Froch-Dirrell from England.
by SC on Jul 14, 2009 4:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow I can’t wait to see this.
HBO have a good look at this right here and take some cues from Showtime!
I think Kessler will come out on top. He is very under rated and even in a tough fight he can battle to the end. There are some real good fighters out there though and a few very under rated ones and I think Abraham is one of them.
Either way whoever comes out on top with this tournament is going to have a real claim to fame.
People say boxers dont take a risk anymore. Well I can name 6 boxers taking a very big risk today.
by MannyPacquiao on Jul 14, 2009 4:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Kessler
I am also thinking he’ll come out on top…I was very impressed with him vs Calzaghe.
-Brian
by bp on Jul 14, 2009 7:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I've said it before and I'll say it again. I can sum this tournament up in two words.
*KESSLER
SMASH*
Boxing is the beginning of all sports. I'm willing to bet that the first sport was a man against another man in a fight. (Omar Epps)
by Chaos100 on Jul 14, 2009 7:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
:) Reading the above comments, it would seem I'm in good company :)
Boxing is the beginning of all sports. I'm willing to bet that the first sport was a man against another man in a fight. (Omar Epps)
by Chaos100 on Jul 14, 2009 8:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Photo
Did they line the guys up by skin tone on purpose?
by ryanwk628 on Jul 14, 2009 8:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
LOL
Boxing is the beginning of all sports. I'm willing to bet that the first sport was a man against another man in a fight. (Omar Epps)
by Chaos100 on Jul 14, 2009 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Better than ordering them by height
We don’t need more bars in more places.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
by Brickhaus on Jul 14, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Andre Ward's time to shine
Towards the end of this saga Ward will be thoroughly tested and many will see him emerge near the top of the pack. If his power has improved, watch out.
SPEED, ACCURACY, HEART = DEATH TO ALL WHO OPPOSE
by TNTLEFTHOOK on Jul 14, 2009 9:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Damn, this is really great. Can’t wait until it starts. Really pumped about all the great MMA and boxing on Showtime.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jul 29, 2009 12:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No one should be sleeping on Ward and Dirrell
These guys are going to open some eyes. Froch will have his hands full in round 1 while Taylor might not make it outta the first round.
I second the homo-erotic feel to it. It you just listen to the sound and not watch the video it sounds like male porn. The photographer continually yelling “That’s great…”, “now switch around…” “That’s great, that’s great!” “That’s great, move around a little!” I was laughing my a$$ off!
by SmittytheCutman on Jul 30, 2009 6:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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