The Revival of Boxing: This Saturday's Super Six Provides Hope

While they've matched MMA's rise to the height of combat sports, boxing officials have sat on their hands plotting what to do to bring the sport back to prominence.

They may have finally come up with a good idea.

This Saturday, Showtime will air the first two fights in a 15-month competition being called the Super Six. The Super Six will see six of the best fighters in boxing's deepest division, Super Middleweight, compete in a round-robin type event with a single elimination tournament at its conclusion.

Boxing has suffered from slipping ratings in part because of poor matchups that can be attributed to its best fighters being afraid to schedule tough opponents and take losses that could ruin their records.

But the risk may be worth the reward here.

"The winner is gonna be a superstar," says contestant Andrew Dirrell's promoter, Gary Shaw, in an interview for Sports Illustrated.

In the competition, each fighter is guaranteed three fights. He will earn two points for a win, one point for a tie, and an additional one point for a win by knockout. The four fighters with the top points will then move on to face off in the single elimination tournament.

What makes the event so intriguing is the level of competitors that have agreed to compete. The six challengers are all well-respected and have posted a combined record of 163-4-1 in their professional careers. 

In the events first fight this Saturday, Arthur Abraham (30-0, 24 KOs), who was famous for suffering a broken jaw and still beating hard-punching Edison Miranda, will take on former champion Jermain Taylor (28-3, 17 KOs). 

Followed by current WBC Super Middleweight Champ Carl Froch (25-0, 20 KOs) taking on 2004 American Olympic Bronze Medalist, Andre Dirrell (18-0, 13 KOs).

The last bout will be on Nov. 21st and will pit the final two competitors: Mikkel Kessler (42-1, 32 KOs) against American 2004 Gold medalist Andre Ward (20-0, 13 KOs).

The event has become such a hot topic that Middleweight Champ Kelly Pavlik has said he would step up in weight to fight the winner and retired Super Middleweight champ. Joe Calzaghe said he would consider coming out of retirement to fight as well.

Finally boxing's commitment to re-establishing its relevance cannot the questioned. The fans will see the highest caliber fights, for free, on a consistent basis for over a year.

But the most important aspect might be that a true champion can be crowned. Instead of mediocre contenders taking on the few champs, Super Six will establish a true dominant force at the Supper Middleweight division. Something boxing has failed to do in any division in over a decade.

As Shaw concluded, "This could change boxing."

As a fan, I certainly hope this is the case.