By Ryan Burton
Former IBF middleweight champion and current Super Six tournament participant "King" Arthur Abraham talks to BoxingScene.com about his upcoming bout with Andre Dirrell being aired on Showtime on March 27th. The Armenian, by way of Germany, gives his take on the fight and also talks about the venue and date change and more in this exclusive interview.
BoxingScene.com: How is training going for the big fight on March 27th?
Arthur Abraham: Everything is going fine. We are back in Germany. The weather is very similar to Detroit, rather cold. I really enjoyed the training camp in Palm Springs, but being back in Berlin is also nice. I have had a lot of sparring partners who fight like Dirrell, so I will be prepared for him.
BoxingScene.com: Did the delay of three weeks affect your training in anyway? I am sure the intensity of your training was slowing down as you got closer to March 6th. Did you have to increase the intensity level?
Arthur Abraham: Unfortunately delays happen in boxing and there is not much you can do about it. It isn't the first time and it won't be the last time. We always train hard so there was not much of a difference. My coach Ulli Wegner barely grants me a light training session anyway!
BoxingScene.com: I am sure you saw the Dirrell vs. Carl Froch fight. What is your plan to combat Dirrell's speed and what will you do if he runs like he did in the Froch fight?
Arthur Abraham: I am sure he will run but I am prepared for that. My coach and I have come up with a good game plan that I cannot reveal right now. Tune in and you will find out on March 27.
BoxingScene.com: Being that an extra point is awared for a knock out victory in the tournament are you going to look for the knock out?
Arthur Abraham: I never think of a KO. I just focus on winning. If you try and force a KO, it never comes, so the best thing is to go into the ring, focus and take things as they come.
BoxingScene.com: Do you think Dirrell was really injured or do you think this was a ploy to get the fight in his hometown of Detroit?
Arthur Abraham: To be honest with you I just don't care. I will fight and beat him everywhere in the world period.
BoxingScene.com: Are you worried about the judging if the fight goes to the scorecards?
Arthur Abraham: Not at all. The judges are neutral so there is no reason to be worried at all. I think they will treat me fairly.
BoxingScene.com: What do you think of Jermain Taylor's decision to walk away from the tournament after your brilliant knock out of him?
Arthur Abraham: He is a great champion, a great fighter and you have to respect his decision.
BoxingScene.com: Do you have a prediction for Andre Ward versus Allan Green and Froch versus Mikkel Kessler?
Arthur Abraham: I think after his strong performance against Kessler, Ward is the favorite against Green and should win. I expect Kessler to bounce back with a victory . You know it is all or nothing for him now!
BoxingScene.com: The Los Angeles area has a large Armenian population, a lot bigger than in Detroit. How disappointed are you that fight isn't taking place in Southern California.
Arthur Abraham: It would have been nice to fight in front of so many Armenian fans in Palm Springs but I am sure there will be some fans pulling for me in Detroit, too. I just go with the flow and I will be ready to fight come March 27th.
BoxingScene.com: Do you have a message for the fans?
Arthur Abraham: I love America and I really want to make the big fights over there. If you want to become a star in boxing, then you have to impress in America. I had a good start with a KO over Edison Miranda and I look to follow it up with a great performance against Dirrell!
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