Ward vs Froch: Lucian Bute, Andre Dirrell, Mikkel Kessler and More Pick the Fight
by Bad Left Hook on Dec 16, 2011 11:15 AM EST
in Boxing Interviews & Quotes
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ANDRE DIRRELL
"My sense is going toward Ward. I believe Ward will win it - not just because he is a smart fighter but because when it's time to battle, he knows how to battle. But ultimately, his smarts come into play. He knows how to handle these fighters. It's almost like he dissects them. He's pretty in tune to this sport. In every fight he's had in the Super Six, he's switched up his game plan and they worked to perfection. He has a game plan for Froch as well. It won't be easy. I honestly believe there will be a cut in the fight. Andre Ward has his tactics and Froch has his tactics so it's going to be a rough fight, maybe a few bumps and bruises. But overall, I see Andre Ward winning it.
"This tournament right here, this Final right here, both fighters will be put up on the pedestal win or lose. The greatest fighters in this division were in this tournament. Both Ward and Froch have proven themselves very well. Regardless if they win or lose, they'll both have big things to come after the tournament. I hope for the best for both of them, honestly. "
ARTHUR ABRAHAM
"I think Andre Ward is going to win on points. He is tactically better and his style is hard to fight against. I don't think many fans like his style, though.
"Winning the Super Six tournament will be huge for the winner.
"To be considered the top of the division, the winner should fight Kessler."
MIKKEL KESSLER
Photo by John Gichigi/Getty Images
"If he does his homework, I think Carl Froch is going to win. He is very strong and he wants to fight. Ward is good and fast, too, but I think Froch will win. He will have learned from the mistakes I did against Ward. So many things went wrong for me that night. Another advantage for Froch is the tournament history - he had some very tough fights that made him even stronger. So my pick is Froch.
"Winning the Super Six tournament will be as good as it gets. That is what we all have been fighting for. The winner will be one of the bests - not the best because he still has to fight me to prove he is the ultimate champion."
GLEN JOHNSON
"The event means everything to the division. It gave the super middleweight division the most attention - it's everything. It's a launching pad, a stage where the best can fight the best and stars are made. There's no way the division would get this much attention without the tournament and these fights would never have happened. It's been a wonderful thing for not just the super middleweight division but also for boxing.
"I have to go with Ward in The Final. He's the only guy who's undefeated in the tournament and he's found a way to win. You've got to give him the biggest chance because of all the guys that fought the top fighters, he's the only one who stayed undefeated at that level.
"Froch has a puncher's chance, that's the only chance I can give him. I don't think he can win on points - he's not a fast guy and he doesn't throw a lot of combinations. Ward has a tough style and Froch is going to have to land some big punches to change the opinion of the crowd. And even though they are both champions, he's going to have to beat the champ to win. You'll have to beat Ward to get that credit, and I just don't see that happening.
"I don't think Froch is fast enough to keep up with Ward's combos. There are some people who think Ward has a soft chin, but I don't think it's necessarily true. Early on in his career Ward hadn't adjusted with how to get hit without headgear, but now he has and Froch will only have a puncher's chance to capture the Super Six Cup."
LUCIAN BUTE, Current Undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion
Photo by Tom Casino/Showtime
"In my opinion, I think Andre Ward will be the winner of the Super Six. He is a smart fighter with good skills and he will avoid the power punch of Carl Froch. The fight on Dec. 17 is huge for the 168-pound division. I want to face the champion of this classic and really reign over the super middleweight division. I'm ready to fight Ward or Froch anywhere, anytime."
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I’ve picked Froch, which should just about doom him. I addition to my other ill-fated picks, I thought Froch would be gone early in the tournament.
Ward is vastly superior with regard to technique, but I don’t think he’s been up against someone of Froch’s apparent undentability (for lack of a better word), or his ability to fight, and hit, in the last round as if it were the first. He’ll also box respectably well, which will tide him over during the early rounds.
Ward will come into the fight with lots of ideas and alternate strategies, and Froch will never touch him on points; Froch will, however, hurt Ward, and win via late TKO.
Classy words from Dirrell. Dr Shawhi’s treatment must be working.
Nobody will read this and care and why should they?
Not sure I understand AA saying the winner should fight Kessler, does he think that it wasn’t the ‘real’ Kessler who was beaten by Ward?
Froch has to keep a cool head tomorrow, not get drawn into a butting type brawl. If the red mist comes down, Ward may well outsmart him. I hope Froch wins. He brings fun and games to the ring.
by Phill on Dec 16, 2011 12:26 PM EST via mobile reply actions
They have the same promoter, that's why
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
The only men to fight both have gone for different outcomes (Abraham and Kessler) I think that just shows how hard it is, to pick a winner in this fight
That quote actually makes Dirrell seem like a pretty decent lad. My whole world view has been shattered
by whypunchrabbits? on Dec 16, 2011 3:57 PM EST reply actions
If he can put stuff like that out consistently, he should quit boxing and become the third member of the HBO A-team. That statement is far better than anything coming out of the HBO camp. With his analytical perspective, he could bring some good commentary to that team.
"The bell that tolls for all in boxing belongs to a cash register."
-Bob Verdi
by Waldo Rastel on Dec 16, 2011 4:39 PM EST up reply actions
I doubt I'll get a true pick up there
But I’m going with Ward. I think Froch will win about 4 rounds, but I suspect this fight will look a LOT like Ward-Bika. Froch’s best chance of winning is to be the first guy since Darnell Boone to fluster Ward, and after that to keep him on the outside and utilize his reach advantage, catching him from time to time when he comes inside. It’s not a lost cause or anything, but it seems like a bad style matchup for Froch.
As for the winner determining who is really the best? Well, Ward already dominated Kessler and Froch already fought even with him. I’d be willing to bet Ward beats Kessler again even if you put the fight in Copenhagen. What I really want to see is one of these two (winner or loser, I don’t care) face Bute next, and for his team to actually let it happen. If one of them makes him a serious offer and it doesn’t happen, then I might finally join the “Bute is ducking guys” camp.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
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