The opening round of the Super 6 World Boxing Classic starts tonight and fight fans everywhere are in for a treat.
The Super 6 is a round robin style tournament featuring some of the best fighters in the world at the super middleweight limit of 168 pounds. Mikkel Kessler, Arthur Abraham, Carl Froch, Jermain Taylor, Andre Ward, and Andre Dirrell will all have at least three bouts each, with the fighters totaling the four highest point totals advancing to the semifinal round. (Fighters will earn three points for a KO win, two for a decisions win, and one for a draw.) Two fighters will be eliminated after their first three fights.
The opening round tonight features Jermain Taylor versus Arthur Abraham and Carl Froch taking on Andre Dirrell.
In Berlin, Germany, Jermain Taylor will try to prove he belongs in this tournament. He is a fighter that has been to the top and fallen on some rough outings. Taylor however, has easily been in with the stiffest opponents and has the experience factor on his side. It wasn't too long ago he was considered a top five pound for pound fighter. He holds wins over Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright.
Taylor's opponent made a move up in weight to fight in this one of a kind boxing tournament. "King" Arthur is moving up from his normal weight class of 160 and has a stiff test waiting for him. The biggest question for Abraham is if his power will move up with him.
This is a great fight as are all of the fights that will happen in this tournament. Jermain is a very slick boxer who really likes to counterpunch. His stamina has been a huge question mark in loses to Carl Froch and also Kelly Pavlik. His endurance will be put to the test yet again when he steps in with Abraham. I expect a very close hotly contested chess match with Abraham pulling out a decision win. If Taylor can apply pressure early and land a few big shots however, he get be able to pull off the win on foreign soil.
The second match this evening will tell us a lot about Andre Dirrell. Many people believe that both Dirrell and American counterpart, Andre Ward are too inexperienced to compete with the other fighters in the Super 6. Those people are one that don't know much about boxing. Both Andres have a ton of talent, are former Olympians, and have the skills to beat anyone in this tournament.
Carl Froch is one stiff test for anyone, let alone a fighter taking a huge step up in class. Add in the fact the fight will take place in the UK and the deck is stacked against Dirrell. The young American fighter is up for the challenge.
You know what you're going to get with Froch. He is a straight ahead fighter that will always be in front of you. He has power in both hands, excellent footwork, and great stamina as we saw in the victory over Jermain Taylor. He defense seems to be one area that Dirrell can exploit.
Andre Dirrell has world class speed and likes to throw punches in bunches. He chin has never really been tested, but that will all change tonight. If he can withstand the early assault that I expect from Froch, he will be in this fight in the end.
I think in the end, Froch might be too much for Dirrell. Power will be the biggest factor, I don't see Dirrell being able to hurt Froch enough to finish him. The first three or four rounds will be the key to the fight. If Dirrell can frustrate Froch early, then he has a great shot to pull off the upset.
The Super 6 is great for the sport of boxing and should have people talking for awhile to come. The opening round gets underway tonight and it should be fun to watch.
The last fight of the opening bracket takes place on November 21st when Andre "SOG" Ward meets Mikkel Kessler.
Every fight that will take place during this awesome event will be a must see. Tune in tonight and see what the boxing world is buzzing about.
