By Ernest Gabion
 
While the boxing world eagerly awaits the next instalment of the famed 24/7 series, which features series regular Floyd Mayweather Jr. and first timer "Sugar" Shane Mosley, the boxing press was given a link to preview the fifth episode of Showtime's series Fight Camp 360. 
 
I must say that everything 24/7 once was, Fight Camp 360 is and then some.
 
The bulk of this episode centers around the build up and controversy regarding the fight between Arthur Abraham and Andre Dirrell. It kicks off in dramatic fashion, with shots of Allan Green reacting to the ending of this fight, along with comments from Dirrell as well as imagery of his body as it lay motionless after being fouled by Abraham at the end of their fight last month. 
 
As you may recall, this fight was originally supposed to have happened on March 6th. However, an injury to Dirrell led to a change in date (March 27) and location, moving the fight from the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California to the famed Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, not very far from Dirrell’s hometown of Flint, Michigan. 
 
The pre-fight build up shows Dirrell in his environment, Abraham not amused by Team Dirrell's talk, the disarray of Team Dirrell forgetting just about everything come fight day and the calmness of Team Abraham.
 
It's about as honest a look into what teams and fighters go through during fight week.
 
The tension and magnitude of the fight is translated well in the episode with nothing more than simple shots of the fight, comments from Showtime's announce team, and the reaction of those from both sides of the team. From the look of concern from Team Sauerland after Abraham gets knocked down, to Abraham's late charge and culminating with the chaos post disqualification - if you hadn't seen this fight as it unfolded, watching this episode would give you a great synopsis of what transpired. 
 
Post fight, the episode continues to show its strength.
 
Dirrell's family tries their best to see Andre before security shuts down the backstage area, while a confused, befuddled Abraham sits in his dressing wondering what the scores were. His trainer tries his best to give Arthur the news that he was behind, while Dirrell is wondering just what went on during those fateful seconds when Abraham hit him while down.
 
I have always felt that one of the best aspects of this series is the ability to see what goes on between the promoters and the network brass during their meetings.
 
This one does not disappoint. 
 
Maybe it's me, maybe it's the boxing environment in America but it seems that most of the bickering and back and forth comes from the American promoters while the promoters from Europe (Sauerland and Froch's promoter Mick Hennessey) seem to smile and agree with the aspects being presented by their American counterparts. 
 
Lastly, the episode segues to the next Stage 2 fight pitting Mikkel Kessler and Carl Froch.
 
An honest take of Kessler about what happened in his Stage One loss to Andre Ward brings me to realize why I adore this series over the much more hyped 24/7 series.  There is frankness with this series. There aren’t any shots of fighters on the tops of gyms as helicopters whiz by James Cameron style, no shots of Bentleys driving through the Las Vegas strip, just the trappings of what fighters go through leading up to their fight.
 
While I appreciate Liev Schreiber's narration in “24/7”, something about the lack of narration in Fight Camp 360 – just the voices of those involved – gives it a more authentic feel.