Super Six Recap: Andre Ward's Rise and Arthur Abraham's Fall
by Scott Christ on May 9, 2011 10:30 PM EDT
in Boxing Commentary & Opinion
Email
Print
For those new to the Super Six who might have run across the site in the last week (and we thank you for coming by), here's a quick recap of the events that have led us into the tournament semifinals, which kick off on Saturday with Andre Ward vs Arthur Abraham.
Stage One
Andre Ward TD-11 Mikkel Kessler
A dominant performance by Ward, who used a roughhouse style and plenty of headbutt offense to rattle and dispose of Kessler, who along with Arthur Abraham came into the tournament as one of the two odds-on favorites on the sportsbooks. [Original Recap]
Carl Froch SD-12 Andre Dirrell
Some felt this was a hometown decision for Froch, but almost nobody was happy with how ugly, dirty, and sloppy the "action" was. Froch may have landed more rabbit punches than good, clean blows in this one, and Dirrell came across as a runner far too often. [Original Recap]
Arthur Abraham KO-12 Jermain Taylor
One nasty right hand in the 12th round sent an already reeling (career-wise) Taylor out of the tournament, and to date, out of professional boxing. Former legit middleweight champ Taylor hasn't been heard from since, even in the rumor mill. Taylor would be replaced in the tournament by Allan Green. [Original Recap]
Stage Two
Andre Ward UD-12 Allan Green
Again bullying his opponent, but with subtle differences than the Kessler performance, Ward rolled over an easily-discouraged Green in a fight that confirmed the fears that Green wasn't fit for this level of competition. [Original Recap]
Andre Dirrell DQ-11 Arthur Abraham
Abraham suffered the first loss of his pro career in this fight, getting outboxed by Dirrell, who showed up in this one to exhibit the skills that his believers knew he had, but his doubters argued he didn't have the guts to show often enough. Unfortunately after a slip in the 11th round, Abraham clocked Dirrell with a punch and was disqualified. It is the most talked-about fight of the tournament thus far, and after this one, Dirrell pulled out of his next fight against friend Andre Ward, citing injuries. He recently has been sparring with George Groves and looks ready to come back. To this day, many doubt the seriousness of Dirrell's injuries, and a sketchy explanation from the Dirrell camp on Fight Camp 360 did the denials that Dirrell was "faking" or even just exaggerating no favors at all. [Original Recap]
Mikkel Kessler UD-12 Carl Froch
Another clean record bit the dust, and this was the best fight of the tournament to date. Kessler dug down deeper than ever before to squeak by the always-game Froch in this outstanding fight. Unfortunately, Kessler would also pull out of the tournament shortly after this win, citing an eye injury. [Original Recap]
Stage Three
Carl Froch UD-12 Arthur Abraham
Froch made Abraham look even worse than Dirrell had, using his oft-overlooked boxing skills to shut out the Armenian. [Original Recap]
Glen Johnson TKO-8 Allan Green
Johnson took Kessler's spot in the tournament, and at age 41 and having not fought as low as 168 pounds in a decade, "The Road Warrior" ripped Allan Green and stopped him in the eighth round. Green protested, but to no avail, and the well-traveled Johnson moved into the Super Six semifinals with one stoppage win. [Original Recap]
Andre Ward, whose top seed was sealed either way, took a non-tournament fight with dangerous Sakio Bika in the same time period and won a decision in a good, hard-fought battle.
11 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
yes
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on May 9, 2011 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions
The best part of the super six
It exposed the European fighters and gave spotlight to the two Dre’s. Dirrell will be an absolute force in the future and Ward will do nothing but win. AA is a joke at 160 and I don’t believe this fight will happen until AA steps into the ring. Seriously stupid fight for AA to take because Ward is a stylistic nightmare for AA.
"The bell that tolls for all in boxing belongs to a cash register."
-Bob Verdi
The Johnson-Green fight ending was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. I mean, honestly, who the hell spends the entire ten count complaining while on his back instead of trying to get up? But yeah, hopefully this next stop in the tourney’ll be interesting. Ward needs to put on a show if he wants to achieve his potential star power. Or maybe Abraham’ll knock him out. It’s been a strange year.
The best part of the super six – It exposed the European fighters
Exposed? I’d love to hear your definition of exposed!
The best part of the super six is the way Andre Ward has been shinning – that’s nothing to do with EXPOSING anyone (if that was the case, and the European fighters he beat were exposed, and thus no good anyway – and that takes away from his victories – kapesh?)
AA wasn’t exposed by Dirrell, and looked to be on his way to getting to him if you watch the fight again, I’ve seen less diving, flopping and running in an all Spanish Soccer Cup Final.
Dirrell for all his positive points doesn’t have “it” imho. Or at least not “it” like Ward has – who’s going to be awesome for a long time – I just hope Ward (and Tim Bradley while we’re at it) learns that the head is not a legal striking limb – he doesn’t need it.
AA’s deficiency in the tournament is no shock to me (though I expected him to beat Froch) – the small, short, slow man always would and always will have problems with speedsters and slicksters. Exposed? Maybe.
Kessler lost to the standout, then beat undefeated Froch. Wouldn’t call that exposed.
Froch beat Dirrell in a “fight”, lost a close decision to Kessler, then beat AA so easily and skillfully Dirrell must have been scratching his head. Definitely not exposed.
Prediction:
Froch vs Ward final – Ward win in his toughest fight yet. Froch’s no mug.
"Chris Eubank lost his recent comeback fight on points ... the main one being that he's a total git."
I will say that I agree Abraham has been flat exposed. I personally have very little regard for Abraham’s abilities at this point.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on May 10, 2011 4:37 AM EDT up reply actions
I think so too
But by Froch, not Dirrell.
Before the KO the fight went exactly how I predicted (with perhaps Dirrell being more aggressive that I thought) – Dirrell starts strong, AA is ponderous, the toward the end of the fight AA puts the foot on the gas and starts getting to Dirrell – Dirrell runs.
It was a watch the clock fight.
Froch – AA I saw as a war. I thought Froch would toe to toe with him and AA would be the man to crack Froch’s chin. Couldn’t have been more wrong. Lost my gambling money. The git.
"Chris Eubank lost his recent comeback fight on points ... the main one being that he's a total git."
I think Dirrell has it all physically. He has maybe a third of it mentally. He’s fine when he’s in control. He responds to pressure (or power) horribly.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on May 10, 2011 5:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah I think that’s the “it” I was looking for. The thing is, it’s as important as the speed, power and skills. Lesser fighters do amazingly well due to having “it” despite lacking all the skills – it is heart – it is will – it is belief.
I guess Arce is a perfect example. You can pick shortcomings in his boxing ability all week long, but “it” is what drives him.
I can’t see Dirrell doing much in the sport – I really can’t, he may win a trinket, beat a contender or champion or two, but that’s it.
Ward can fly – unified champion, multi-weight champion, I wouldn’t even put p4p champion outside of his reach – he’s got something about him – if he says it, I believe it.
"Chris Eubank lost his recent comeback fight on points ... the main one being that he's a total git."
No!
Looks like him though (especially when small):
"Chris Eubank lost his recent comeback fight on points ... the main one being that he's a total git."
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bad Left Hook
Related FanShots on Bad Left Hook
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
