Europe has held a monarchy over the 168lb division for some time now. Ward and Dirrell are clearly the two most talented fighters in the division, but talent alone doesn't always make you the best. So, will America establish dominance or will Europe continue with its strangle hold on the division? Discuss.
I think American SMW's definitely hold the edge. Dirrell should have won the fight against Froch, if he had fought Froch the way he fought AA he would have won. He clearly outboxed AA last night, but I still feel he took the easy way out. Ward wiped the floor with Kessler, and would murder Froch. Overall Americans are best at the weight.
They could be considered best not named bute, just cuz he didn't lose. But if one of the dre's won, I would consider them the favorite becUse of the diverse styles they would have faced on their resume.
I will consider whoever wins it the best at 168 for the reason you named. Froch may not be the most skilled, but if he could win on sheer will and determination over such a diverse group HE'D be the best in my opinion. I like Bute a lot. Like Jwreck I was also impressed with how easily he handled Arndrade. But Andrade isn't in the class of the fighters in this tournament. If Bute wants to be the best he'll have to face the winner. Jmo.
I like Bute, he's an excellent fighter. But by the end of this tournament the winner will have beaten the better fighters and have to be considered the best in the world. Jmo.
They could be considered best not named bute, just cuz he didn't lose. But if one of the dre's won, I would consider them the favorite becUse of the diverse styles they would have faced on their resume.
I saw some serious weaknesses in both Kessler and Abraham that Ward and Dirrell exposed. With their styles the European fighters are going to be in trouble against those two. We also finally saw that Abraham can be hurt. And I think Ward is the harder puncher of the two(Dirrell). Froch can't beat either one outside England.
At least Froch is willing to fight abroad unlike Ward who insisted on home field advantage.
I am starting to think that maybe that French Canadian Romanian cat Lucien Bute is the best at 168.
I'd love to see him against the super six winner down the road.
I like Bute, he's an excellent fighter. But by the end of this tournament the winner will have beaten the better fighters and have to be considered the best in the world. Jmo.
As somebody posted before, I think that Dirrell and Ward have the most potential of the six. I base that upon the combination of their abilities and age. They are pretty talented, but both still have room to grow and are young.
However, I think that right now the jury is still out on who is the best at 168. I don't think you'll get a definitive answer until there is a Super Six winner and he faces Bute, assuming he's going to stick around and is still undefeated.
Are you guys crazy? Europe is full of super star fighters from 160-175: Macklin, Stieglitz, Kessler, Veit, Froch, Braehmer, Abraham, Duddy, Woods... the list goes on and on. Dawson, Hopkins, Cloud, Dirrell, Ward, Pavlik, Williams - nobody would ever have heard of these guys if they fought in Europe.
Keep an eye out for Paul Smith. This guy is going to go down as one of the truly great ones.
Some of these guys are no better than Peter Manfredo or Jesse Brinkley in their respective divisions. What makes them as good as America's best in your opinion?
Absolutely more talented in my opinion, but them Europeans are just flat out tough at 168. And Im rooting for Ward, but you have to beat the best to be the best.
I saw some serious weaknesses in both Kessler and Abraham that Ward and Dirrell exposed. With their styles the European fighters are going to be in trouble against those two. We also finally saw that Abraham can be hurt. And I think Ward is the harder puncher of the two(Dirrell). Froch can't beat either one outside England.
Europe has held a monarchy over the 168lb division for some time now. Ward and Dirrell are clearly the two most talented fighters in the division, but talent alone doesn't always make you the best. So, will America establish dominance or will Europe continue with its strangle hold on the division? Discuss.
After what I saw Ward and Dirrell do to not only Europes best, but two of the best in the world, American fighters are about to take over that division.
Ward and Dirrell are clearly better then every 168 pounder.
Absolutely more talented in my opinion, but them Europeans are just flat out tough at 168. And Im rooting for Ward, but you have to beat the best to be the best.
Are you guys crazy? Europe is full of super star fighters from 160-175: Macklin, Stieglitz, Kessler, Veit, Froch, Braehmer, Abraham, Duddy, Woods... the list goes on and on. Dawson, Hopkins, Cloud, Dirrell, Ward, Pavlik, Williams - nobody would ever have heard of these guys if they fought in Europe.
Keep an eye out for Paul Smith. This guy is going to go down as one of the truly great ones.
Ward and Dirrell both have more potential than any fighter from europe at 168
This tournament has come a little too early for them in their careers but both are holding their own and will get better with time. Ward has a chance of going unbeaten. I see Ward coming out of this tournament as the top man.
16y ago
Are the best 168lb fighters American? | BoxingScene Community