Boxing Finally Gives Fans What They Want With World Boxing Classic
Showtime’s Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament will begin this Saturday night when WBC champion Carl Froch defends his title against Andre Dirrell in Nottingham, England, and Jermain Taylor faces “King” Arthur Abraham in Berlin, Germany.
On November 21, the two remaining participants in the scheduled 18-month campaign to crown a new 168-pound super middleweight champion, Mikkel Kessler (42-1, 32 KOs) and Andre Ward (20-0, 13 KOs), are set to battle in Oakland, California.
It was reportedly a complicated and difficult task to get five promoters to agree to, and accept the terms of, the tournament format.
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“To find common ground between two promoters is a challenge,” Showtime Senior Vice President Ken Hershman told CNNSI.com. “To find it among five is an insane challenge.”
The terms of the tournament ensure that all boxers will fight three times.
The competitors will earn two points if they win a match, including a bonus point if the fight ends in a knockout, and one point if a contest is declared a draw.
“I really believe this is good for boxing,” said Dirrell’s promoter, Gary Shaw. “One of the good things about mixed martial arts is that when someone loses, it’s no big deal. They go onto the next big fight. That doesn’t happen in boxing. I think this tournament solves some of that because no one is eliminated right away.”
Froch (25-0, 20 KOs), who was born in Nottingham, can anticipate a tough fight with Dirrell (18-0, 13 KOs) when the two square-off this weekend in his native land.
Froch, 32, is an unorthodox fighter and his style will prove to be troublesome for Dirrell, 26.
Dirrell, who captured the middleweight bronze gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics, is absolutely a spectacular talent in the ring.
Unfortunately for Dirrell, he is likely too green at this stage in his career to defeat a seasoned professional like Froch in front of his legions of supporters.
Dirrell may win many battles and rounds. But, ultimately, Froch will win the war and preserve his unblemished record.
In Saturday’s second affair, Arkansas native Jermain Taylor (28-3-1, 17 KOs) will struggle mightily versus undefeated IBF Middleweight World Champion and Armenian-German, Abraham (30-0, 24 KOs).
Abraham is a badass who is capable of absorbing tremendous punishment in the ring.
The “King” will scrap Taylor in front of a decidedly pro-Abraham audience.
However, expect Taylor, 31, to eventually overwhelm Abraham, 29, and prevail in a matchup that will certainly be a rugged contest.
“There were about 300 obstacles,” said Hershman about making this tournament finally come to fruition. “Everyone has their own business interests.”
No matter how many “obstacles” were actually involved in these negotiations, boxing has established a plan that is in the best “interests” of their fans.
That alone is a victory for pugilism and hopefully a precursor of good things to come from the sport in the future.
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