Forecast: A Very Early Look at Stage Three of the Super Six World Boxing Classic
by Scott Christ on Jun 20, 2010 4:35 PM EDT
in Boxing Commentary & Opinion
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Last night's final stage two fight of the Super Six World Boxing Classic gave us a new points leader (Andre Ward) and a disappointing entrant (Allan Green). While Ward is clinched to go into the semi-finals of the tournament whether he wins, loses or draws in his next bout, everyone else is still alive, though Green is hanging on by a mere thread and will need a knockout victory.
Let's take an early look at the three deciding round robin fights. It's must-win for everyone but Ward.
Andre Ward (22-0, 13 KO) v. Andre Dirrell (19-1, 13 KO)
Ward's tournament wins have been dominant. He made Mikkel Kessler look completely one-dimensional, and then made Allan Green look like nothing more than an Oklahoma club fighter with a big mouth. He didn't lose a round against either of them, and has shown a loaded tool box and a variety of ways he can beat an opponent. Ward is looking like not just the real deal at 168, but like a genuine possible P4P contender.
Dirrell, his friend, figures to give him his toughest matchup on paper. Unlike Kessler and Green, Dirrell has the speed and reflexes necessary to keep up with Ward's pace. But Ward showed a bully mentality against Green and Kessler, figuring that Green couldn't deal with pressure (he couldn't), and that Kessler would be bewildered if taken out of his gameplan (he was). Ward's style-spoiling rise to professional prominence has made me think of the likes of Joe Calzaghe, Bernard Hopkins and Evander Holyfield. He's sort of fighting like a pastiche of all three of them.
Friend-versus-friend fights often aren't very exciting, and we all know that Dirrell can put on a serious stinker. He was able to take advantage of Arthur Abraham's slowness last time out, but Ward moves as well as Dirrell. Dirrell will have a height and reach advantage, but so did Green. I expect Ward to try and pressure and crowd Dirrell much as he did Green, and for him to try and bully Dirrell, figuring his friend and opponent doesn't have the guile to rise up and overcome him. Dirrell showed real fire against Abraham, but will he have it against Ward? I have my doubts. Right now, I'd guess Ward UD-12.
Carl Froch (26-1, 20 KO) v. Arthur Abraham (31-1, 25 KO)
Froch's first round win over Dirrell was debated, and his second round loss to Kessler was, too, though not to the same degree. He also went from an awful fight to a very good one, where both he and Kessler showed a strong desire to win and the guts to take some shots if need be.
This has been an intriguing style clash I've looked forward to since the tournament was announced. Froch is a wild brawler at his best, the kind of guy who knows very well what he is but will always complain that his boxing skills are underrated. They aren't; they're passable, but he's best when he's letting it fly.
Abraham will have to start off quicker than he has in the past, but he won't. I'd expect Froch to build up a lead in this fight. No matter where they're fighting (and this will be on neutral ground in the U.S. apparently), Froch's style is going to please more people. Abraham is intensely methodical. This fight could go any number of ways. Froch's wide shots could break down Abraham's high guard, and given that Arthur is no brilliant counter-puncher, will he get much back? Both can take a good shot, but Abraham will be the best puncher Froch has faced to date, and Carl has taken some hard punishment in fights against Kessler, Jermain Taylor and Jean Pascal. Any missile from Abraham could end this fight at any time, but that's the risk you run against him no matter who you are. It might be a mild upset, but as of this moment, I'm liking Froch to squeak out a narrow and controversial decision. My mind could completely change by fight week. Froch SD-12.
Mikkel Kessler (43-2, 32 KO) v. Allan Green (29-2, 20 KO)
Kessler is no Andre Ward...but Allan Green doesn't belong in this tournament. Green isn't going to trouble Kessler because Green isn't on his level. Kessler has fought guys like this numerous times and beaten them all -- does anyone really now believe Green is a level above Dimitri Sartison or Librado Andrade? Mikkel will cruise, but I don't think he'll stop Green. I don't think he has the killer instinct, and he's not going to wear Green out the way Ward did. It'll be a decent beating, but it won't ever get ugly. Kessler UD-12.
If those predictions were to come true, my final standings would be:
- Andre Ward, 6 points
- Mikkel Kessler, 4 points
- Carl Froch, 4 points
- Arthur Abraham, 3 points
- Andre Dirrell, 2 points
- Allan Green, 0 points
That would mean we'd have Ward-Abraham and a Kessler-Froch rematch in the semis. I'd also guess we'd hear a renewal of the bitching from the Dirrell camp that they were robbed in England (and rightly so, from my chair), because a win for Dirrell would have switched he and Froch out of the semi-final spot.
The third stage is shaping up to be incredibly exciting. These fights are huge for everyone involved. Once again, kudos to Ken Hershman and Showtime. The tournament has been a blast.
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I would like to see Dirrell get through but i really can’t see him beating Ward.He’s got himself partly to blame for the Froch fight going against him though,imo.
I was thinking Froch to beat Abraham at first myself but after watching the Dirrell fight i can still see the ability that Abraham obviously has and he just needs to open up more.As you say he probably won’t but we’ll see.
I would agree with your other 2 picks but i’m going for Abraham over Froch in a close fight similar to how the Kessler v Froch fight was scored.
Froch-Kessler II, if it happens, figures to be sensational.
I’ve got to say, however, that I see Andre Dirrell causing Ward a lot more problems than either Green or Kessler has done. He’s a more dynamic puncher, and I don’t think Ward will be able to bully him (Green) or to flat outbox him (Kessler). I reckon that’s going to be a god-awful fight to watch, and even worse one to score. As much as it doesn’t help my man Carl Froch, I really hope Andre Dirrell gets to the semis, because I think he’s a sensational talent who would enrich the quality of the elimination phase. Awful personality, so annoying to listen to – but a quality fighter without a doubt.
"The terror of the unforeseen is what the science of history hides, turning a disaster into an epic"
by Oli Goldstein on Jun 20, 2010 5:00 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Yeah,
i agree that Dirrell will be more copetitve than the other 2 and it would be no shock to me if he even beat Ward but i just think Ward awkwardness and punching and grabbing style will pull through.Saying that though,Ward knows he’s already through whereas Dirrell has everything to fight for and that could make a difference.I think it is ridiculous if this fight ends up in Oakland again after both of Wards’ other fights and it should be on Dirrell turf to be fair.
Dirrell is an excellnet talent as you say Oli but i think his main obstacles are in his own head.
Kostya Tszyu’s saying was “He conquers who conquers himself” (or something like that :)) and i think that could apply to AD.
Yeah, it’s a damn interesting fight. I’ve just got a feeling that Dirrell’s speed and dynamism will help effect a situation whereby Ward gets hit a lot more than his past two fights as he jumps in. Dirrell’s lateral movement is superb, and I think he’ll cause Ward a lot of problems. Then again, Wandre has also shown enormous talent, and I reckon he has the guts to pull out when the going gets tough whereas, as you say, doubts will continue to surround Dandre.
"The terror of the unforeseen is what the science of history hides, turning a disaster into an epic"
by Oli Goldstein on Jun 20, 2010 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll look forward to Kessler Green
I know styles make fights, but if Mikkel does stop Green, for me it hints that he had a bad day against Ward. I know I may be wrong, we’ll have to wait and see.
Also Frochy has had some real aging fights in his last four, I’m not sure how long he can keep winning that way, it’s become apparent he has no alternative gameplan.
by Phill on Jun 20, 2010 5:16 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
One more nit
I could be wrong here, but I think Green can advance as long as he wins and Froch loses. First tiebreaker is head to head. If Green beats Kessler, then Green > Kessler > Froch. I might be wrong though.
I agree with how it will play out though. A little part of me thinks Ward might take his foot off the gas a bit to give his best bud a chance to advance to the next round, but a bigger part of me thinks he’s just too damn competitive to let that happen. I’ve said all along that I thought Froch was the worst style matchup for Abraham out of anyone. And I just don’t see Green beating any of these guys.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
I’ll add this: three months ago, I had it in my head that I liked Dirrell over Ward. I no longer do. Dirrell is not mentally tough enough to deal with Ward, in my view. Dirrell has a habit of shrinking when the fire heats up, which I thought even showed a bit against Arthur (and I’m not talking about the DQ). On paper, he’s a much tougher matchup for Ward than Kessler or Green, but I think once the fight is five rounds in, Dirrell will be lost. Ward is just much tougher, much more determined, has that X-factor that Dirrell (who is very talented) does not have. It even shows in little things like the way they carry themselves out of the ring. Ward, whether he’s smiling or not, always seems VERY confident, there’s just an air about him. Dirrell does not have that. That might mean nothing, but it always strikes me that Dirrell has sort of a sad puppy look about him. Just something in their eyes is way different all the time.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
Hey… do you have the link where you compared both Ward and Dirrell?
I remember but I can’t find it anywhere using the search.
"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."
Found it….
http://www.badlefthook.com/2009/4/14/821287/prospect-smackdown-andre-ward-vs
"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."
That was me BTW
Don’t pin any faulty logic on Scott ;-)
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
And I definitely underrated Ward's ring generalship
At this point, I’d grade him an “A” in that regard. I also didn’t have a category for ring intelligence, and Ward’s is superior while Dirrell’s is about average.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Ward
seems to be destined for big things and though i may be thinking too far ahead,possible greatness,imo.
I can’t wait for a Ward v Bute fight.
I’m picking Ward.
enjoyed that read
hindsight is a wonderful thing. Maybe after the super six Brick could do another article, comparing that article to where they will be
by Sweet science on Jun 21, 2010 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Dandre looks permanently miserable, you're right.
I reckon he just about pips Ward in terms of annoyingness (that can’t be a word, hmmm). S.O.G. is baddd, but Dirrell’s stupid whining voice permanently grinds on my nerves.
"The terror of the unforeseen is what the science of history hides, turning a disaster into an epic"
by Oli Goldstein on Jun 20, 2010 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Still not his biggest fan then?
I thought is huble,warm & likeable attitude would have won you over by now. ;-)
by Phill on Jun 20, 2010 5:27 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
No
he’s just as annoying as he was in the first place,imo, what with his constant overrating of his abilities,etc.
Ward will beat Direll and Green will lose. That I know for sure.
Don't pick a fight with an old man, If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.
Carl Froch (26-1, 20 KO) v. Arthur Abraham (31-1, 25 KO) is avery difficult fight to call.
Don't pick a fight with an old man, If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.
Yeah, I’ve changed my mind multiple times. I surely will many more before 9/18.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jun 20, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Abraham is just the better fighter…
"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."
I think they’re both B guys with different assets.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jun 20, 2010 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
What has Abraham ever really done? His best win is Taylor.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jun 20, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s not meant to defend Froch as being better, either. That’s just my continuing wonder about Abraham’s reputation. His record is filled with second and third rate fighters.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jun 20, 2010 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree about Abraham’s lack of quality on his record.I just think he has a bit more ability,more power and at least as good a chin as Froch.
Saying That
Froch is more active and has more heart and determination,imo.I’m thinking of Abraham complaining about bodyshots being fouls all the time but then he did show heart in the 1st Miranda fight(although Uli Wegner really pushed him to go on).
I too will possibly change my mind a few times on this one.
I like Froch in this fight because I’m more sick of AA’s bodyshots = dickshots BS than I am of Froch’s general dickishness demeanor.
by Waldo Rastel on Jun 20, 2010 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions
He is more orhadox, but is not as busy. Froch is a brawler and AA can be one if necessary.
I lean towrd AA becuase he gets stronger as the fight progresses. But both of these guys are as strong as they come.
Don't pick a fight with an old man, If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.
I'm guessing that Carl's chin is a little
more vulnerable than most figure and that Abraham catches him.
by Don From Prov on Jun 20, 2010 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Yup
Now, Tweek, boxing is a Man sport. There is nothing in the world more Man than boxing. It is Man at his most Man. So when you spar with Ned here, just dig deep into that most Man part of you. (Uncle Jimbo, South Park: Tweek vs Craig)
So was Frochs
although in Carls case he was behind.Given that we all know that he really didn’t beat Dirrel.
It's not a matter of "IF" the North will break you.It's a matter of "WHEN" the North will break you.For up here every year counts as two on the outside.
by Ghostman (Son of the Wolf) on Jun 20, 2010 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I might say Carl’s is Jean Pascal.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jun 20, 2010 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I would argue that Pascal is a much better win than Taylor right now.
by Waldo Rastel on Jun 20, 2010 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm better than Taylor right now!
Don't pick a fight with an old man, If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.
I just checked my bookie....
They price it up even….
Now, Tweek, boxing is a Man sport. There is nothing in the world more Man than boxing. It is Man at his most Man. So when you spar with Ned here, just dig deep into that most Man part of you. (Uncle Jimbo, South Park: Tweek vs Craig)
AA vs Froch
is a pick em fight and the line will change many more times before the fight.Froch could stop AA coming forward as Dirrel was doing OR Arthur could catch Froch late and pull it off.IMO a desperate Froch pushes the pace and therefore pays for it.AA by a late TKO.
It's not a matter of "IF" the North will break you.It's a matter of "WHEN" the North will break you.For up here every year counts as two on the outside.
by Ghostman (Son of the Wolf) on Jun 20, 2010 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Very possible. If there’s a KO it’ll be Froch on the canvas. That part I’m pretty sure about.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jun 20, 2010 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions
No way
will Green beat Kessler.Green is too Tyson like in that he needs to know in advance that he is far superior to his opponent or he loses confidence.In short he’s a mental midget and when the tough get going he leaves.Ward vs Dirrel will be a boring fight between two friends.I wonder if Ward was trying to beat Green so bad so he could throw the Dirrel fight stating that he is injure AND therefore gaurantee that his friend Dirrel makes the cut.Then they would rematch later in the tourny.Just a conspiracy theory put ou there.
It's not a matter of "IF" the North will break you.It's a matter of "WHEN" the North will break you.For up here every year counts as two on the outside.
by Ghostman (Son of the Wolf) on Jun 20, 2010 6:02 PM EDT reply actions
Ward’s got a burgeoning career as one of our top boxers, and “undefeated record” sadly means a lot to too many people. He’ll be fighting to keep his record. He feels as though he’s never lost a fight in his life. Very proud guy. I don’t think he’ll take it easy on Dirrell at all.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jun 20, 2010 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Just to backup your statement of “He feels as though he’s never lost a fight in his life,” at the Press Conference Virgil was complaining about the last fight Ward lost when he was 12. The man hasn’t lost a boxing match in over 10 years, he is not going to roll over especially since his undefeated record means a great deal to him and so do the belts. The undefeated record especially as a testament to his late father who was also undefeated as a Heavyweight.
by Waldo Rastel on Jun 20, 2010 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Not only that but wouldn’t his belt be on the line against Dirrell too? No way would he want to lose it…
Most definitely. Unless there is some oddity in the negotiations for the location. For example fight at a neutral site, read Vegas, but the belt is not on the line.
by Waldo Rastel on Jun 21, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
and his 0 won’t go although pre tourny i had Dirrel by a split dec.That said I wanted to rock the boat and spark a debate.
It's not a matter of "IF" the North will break you.It's a matter of "WHEN" the North will break you.For up here every year counts as two on the outside.
by Ghostman (Son of the Wolf) on Jun 20, 2010 6:05 PM EDT reply actions
His career
is burgeoning and tha is why i believe the rumours that had Bute got into the Super Six Ward would not have entered.Ward knew that he was not yet ready or worthy to take on Bute.That will all change by the final although I would have liked to see an in shape Kessler vs Ward instead of the ring rusty take the fight lightly version of Mikkel that we all saw.
It's not a matter of "IF" the North will break you.It's a matter of "WHEN" the North will break you.For up here every year counts as two on the outside.
by Ghostman (Son of the Wolf) on Jun 20, 2010 6:07 PM EDT reply actions
If Kessler an Ward do fight again, Kessler should use whatever tactics it takes to win, he’s a big SMW, and he is just as capable of hitting someone in the nuts as any man. That would give Ward something to think about. Not saying he would win, but he would know what to expect this time round and therefore prepare accordingly.
by Phill on Jun 20, 2010 6:31 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Yet I have no idea if Ward fights anything close to the same fight against Kessler the second time. What has really impressed me with Ward is that his last three fights have been very different stylistically. It seems that he can do an excellent job fighting any kind of fight that makes his opponent uncomfortable. Having that large of a tool box makes him a tough boxer to beat.
by Waldo Rastel on Jun 20, 2010 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Dirrell is the most talented fighter in this tournament, but Ward is the best boxer of the bunch. I actually think they’re going to put on a heck of a fight together, and it is one I’m really looking forward to.
Honestly, I think the Europeans are a significant step behind both. Dirrell was flat out robbed against Froch (I didn’t love Andre’s style in that fight either, but there really was no argument that Froch won), Kessler is a step slow, and Abraham is incredibly limited and was completely exposed against Dirrell. I don’t think any of them have much of a shot to win the trophy in the end.
by The Boxer Rebellion on Jun 20, 2010 6:37 PM EDT reply actions
I agree with everything here.
This is a good summary of what I’ve been saying since about round three of Kessler vs Ward.
Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"
As SC said fight between freinds can be a let down, coupled with there styles, Dirrell is fast and slick but there is a big question mark over him when the going gets tough Dirrell will crack. I see Kessler being able to stop Green and if Froch can stick to his boxing and fight on his terms he can beat Abrahams.
Joe Calzaghe and Richie Woodhall
Were mates… That fight didn’t disappoint. Calzaghe gave Woodhall a pasting in their meeting. Good to see they were still mates after. And their dads too by all accounts.
by Phill on Jun 20, 2010 8:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Simon Brown and Maurice Blocker
were mates too Phil. Didn’t stop Brown hammering his pal but Simon was certainly distressed at the sight of Blocker sagging on the ropes after it was waived off and hugged him like a brother. Once the fight was over they were mates again..
"Anytime you go thirty rounds with a guy, try to kill each other, and have the utmost respect for each other, no one understands that, but guys who have been to war understand it." - Micky Ward on Arturo Gatti.
Goaty..
Must be a tough one that, fighting your mate. But I suppose it’s you or him when standing in the ring. A sort of " if you’re not fast , you’re last" type scenario.I couldn’t hit a mate.. (properly, I mean).
by Phill on Jun 22, 2010 5:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Ted,
I’ll bet we all have a list lke that, mate!!
by Phill on Jun 23, 2010 8:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Was always thrown off when two friends would
have a (street) fight and then be of a “let’s have a beer together” mind.
Supposed to = a wild west no death no harm macho thing I guess.
But I was never in sync with my friends on that. Good one, Phil.
And funny one (non-mates [improperly]), Ted.
P.S. If you fight ’em, you might as well fucking shoot ’em. :)
by Don From Prov on Jun 25, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
My question
is does Froch automatically get the 4th spot with a Dirrell loss? Assuming they both lose (which I predict) They’re tied with 2 points. Is the head to head matchup the tie breaker? I would assume so personally but it doesn’t say anything about tie breakers on the main page.
My name is Suh! How do you do?! Now You GONNA DIE!
nevermind
I saw Brick say that tiebreakers were head to head..
My name is Suh! How do you do?! Now You GONNA DIE!
Mental toughness
Allen Green had a meltdown just like Mosley. Everybody can’t perform under those BIG lights like they think they can. All the tough talk goes right out the window when the bell rings and you discover that your opponent isn’t as scared as you think. With the crowd against you and the atmosphere very hostile those dirty looks Green came to ring with didn’t make a difference, he only discovered that he was fooling himself.
If you always thought what you thought, then you wouldn't think what you knew.
I'm seeing a lot of love for Dirrell in this post.
Personally, I don’t like his style. I really appreciate a good boxer with movement, but Dirrell, in my opinion, runs away from the fighter, He also falls down a lot. Whether this is a balance issue or if he does it on purpose as another way to avoid punishment, it really is an annoyance during the course of the fight. Throw in that he has no power and complains a lot, and that’s not a guy who I want to watch fight, regardless if he got sucker-punched in his last fight or not.
Speaking of that punch, that’s an important factor in the Ward-Dirrell fight. We’ve all seen that a punch like that can ruin a fighter’s chin. If Dirrell is hesitant in the fight, which would be awful because of the style he fights, or his chin is gone, this becomes a really easy win for Ward.
Another byproduct of the Dirrell-Abraham is the hate bestowed on Abraham now. I think Abraham wins the Froch fight rather easily, around a KO-8. One thing we have all seen is standing in front of Abraham is the worst thing to do, as Abraham probably has top-5 P4P power (throw some punches, dammit!). Froch is going to brawl with him and get caught sooner than later. Their common opponent is Taylor, who looked the same in both fights and got knocked out by both in the 12th round. The difference was Froch was way behind in the 12th while Abraham was comfrontably ahead.
by thp0344 on Jun 21, 2010 11:19 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Their common opponent is Taylor, who looked the same in both fights and got knocked out by both in the 12th round. The difference was Froch was way behind in the 12th while Abraham was comfrontably ahead.
I really disagree that Taylor “looked the same in both fights.” Against Froch he was landing, because Froch’s defense is lax. Against Abraham he didn’t land much of anything at all. Taylor did nothing to Abraham.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jun 21, 2010 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Taylor landed more than he got credit for
He was splitting the guard a fair amount. The day after the fight, Abraham looked a lot more busted up than Taylor. That said, he wasn’t landing enough to win the rounds (because his punches are too straight to get around Abraham’s guard IMO), and a lot of the damage that Abraham takes are actually from his own fists when they get pushed back into his face.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
I don't completely agree
- He fell down a lot in the Froch fight no doubt. But a few of those times he was pulled down, and I haven’t seen him make a habit of that in other fights, having seen about a dozen of them.
- I’ll give you that he’s a bit of a runner and that he complains. I can totally see why people would be turned off by his personality. He’s a safety first fighter and has a big mouth.
- He has good one punch power when he sits on his punches. Just he moves his feet too soon, so he doesn’t get a lot of leverage behind most of his punches. But he’s the only man to knock down Arthur Abraham (twice, by my count) and he rocked Froch pretty good. I wouldn’t say he has no power, he just doesn’t use it well.
- I’m still picking Froch to beat Abraham. Froch will throw a lot more punches than Abraham in the early rounds and build up a lead. Since his punches tend to be looping, a lot of them will get around Abraham’s guard. By the time Abraham builds up a head of steam, Froch will have a nearly insurmountable lead, and I think Froch’s chin is just much better than the guys who Abraham knocked out in late rounds (Ayala, Gevor, Taylor). Even if Abraham comes on strong late, Froch will keep fighting, and as long as he doesn’t go down, I don’t see him losing. LaJuan Simon put in a pretty good showing against Abraham using the same strategy, and Froch is worlds better than Simon.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
So Am I Brick
Frochs size , reach , high workrate will be too much for the overrated Abraham in my opinion . Unlike most I actually thought Froch beat Kessler .
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me. " Hunter S Thompson.
I don't think Froch can take consistant punches from Abraham.
I’m a big fan of Froch’s style because it usually makes for entertaining fights. But my thoughts throughout the Kessler fight was that if Froch lets Abraham entice him into a brawl (which I don’t think will take a lot of convincing on Abraham’s part) he’ll find the first guy who he can’t take the punishment from.
The bottom line is this; if Abraham doesn’t decide to turn it on until the 8th or 9th round, Froch should win. If he turns it on in the 3rd or 4th round, I don’t think Froch will last past the 8th or 9th round.
I agree almost c om pletely with your analysis, but, I’ve got a feeling that, based on Dirrells’ great game plan (and him sticking to it), plus the fact that they are friends, makes me think Dirrell CAN BEAT WARD. It’s possible. Otherwise, it’s Froch-Ward in the final. Ward is awkward, and so is Direll. so they cancel each other out. I will predict that for sure it will NOT be a fan friendly fight.
Then Ward fights Bute and loses. Yes, loses. Ward is a real good boxer, but so is Bute, who is stronger than Ward is.
IMO, Ward is an easy pick over Dirrell. Ward always comes with hsi nest game, While
Dirrell is a tad of a head case. No, I’m going with Ward on that one. Dirrell has been less than compelling so far. Ward has been compelling, albeit lacking the power to deck someone.
Pray for Nick Charles
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