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.