He say she say: Andre Dirrell isn't focused

[Fox McCloud]

Can someone explain this argument to me?

I have a hunch it has something to do with the Stevens fight, but I'm interested to hear what people mean when they say it.

[savorduhflavor]

I think people get that mixed up with lack of a killer instinct. He has less of a killer instinct than Ward.

I've seen multiple fights of his where there was just no excuse for not getting his opponent out of there. I'm not someone who needs a knockout to appreciate a fight or a fighter, but the kid is just too talented to seriously hurt people with unbelievably impressive combination, and than proceed to just let him off the hook.

And more importantly, when he starts facing better competition and he hurts someone, he's gonna wish he finished them off. He's not slick enough to get away with not putting someone away when he has a chance.

[Fox McCloud]

I think people get that mixed up with lack of a killer instinct. He has less of a killer instinct than Ward.

I've seen multiple fights of his where there was just no excuse for not getting his opponent out of there. I'm not someone who needs a knockout to appreciate a fight or a fighter, but the kid is just too talented to seriously hurt people with unbelievably impressive combination, and than proceed to just let him off the hook.

And more importantly, when he starts facing better competition and he hurts someone, he's gonna wish he finished them off. He's not slick enough to get away with not putting someone away when he has a chance.

Great post... I think you might be right.

I do fault Dirrell for not doing more to get Findley out of there earlier in his last fight, although I do think it is fairly hard to land clean when your opponent merely keeps his hands above his head and doesn't throw a single punch for rounds at a time.

What other fights have you seen where he had someone hurt and didn't get them out of there? He had Hanshaw hurt once at the end of the 4th, and took him out in the 5th. He never really had Oganov or Paschall hurt, until it was stopped. Stevens and Kost weren't ever hurt from what I remember. Camacho and Hall were substandard fighters who got blown out quickly.

[Burner]

I dont think hes lazy.

I just think he likes admiring his work...something that a alot of young boxers do.

[Fox McCloud]

I dont think hes lazy.

I just think he likes admiring his work...something that a alot of young boxers do.

Williams vs. Dirrell at 168... go!

[savorduhflavor]

Great post... I think you might be right.

I do fault Dirrell for not doing more to get Findley out of there earlier in his last fight, although I do think it is fairly hard to land clean when your opponent merely keeps his hands above his head and doesn't throw a single punch for rounds at a time.

What other fights have you seen where he had someone hurt and didn't get them out of there? He had Hanshaw hurt once at the end of the 4th, and took him out in the 5th. He never really had Oganov or Paschall hurt, until it was stopped. Stevens and Kost weren't ever hurt from what I remember. Camacho and Hall were substandard fighters who got blown out quickly.

I don't doubt that Findley was a hard dude and pretty difficult to stop, but there was a point in that fight where he should have been put away.

It's not that he doesn't stop the guys, it's that at this level, considering the condition he has them in, he takes too long. Ognaov lasted wayyy longer than he should have. I remember watching the first round of the fight and thinking it was over and the dude just kept his head in Andre's chest survived for longer than he should have.

He does that against a puncher, and he's gonna get stopped while he's taking his time. The kid has got some serious freaking talent. First time I watched the kid my jaw was on the floor. I think he just needs to capitalize more, he's so fast and so explosive but he's just to hesitant. He almost reminds me of Dawson in that respect, the flashy combination, but just doesn't put people away. Except Dawson has proven he can go the distance with top competition doing that; we have yet to see if Dirrel can. Hopefully this tournament goes through and we'll see him in some good fights, although I think it's a little early for him.

[Fox McCloud]

I don't doubt that Findley was a hard dude and pretty difficult to stop, but there was a point in that fight where he should have been put away.

It's not that he doesn't stop the guys, it's that at this level, considering the condition he has them in, he takes too long. Ognaov lasted wayyy longer than he should have. I remember watching the first round of the fight and thinking it was over and the dude just kept his head in Andre's chest survived for longer than he should have.

He does that against a puncher, and he's gonna get stopped while he's taking his time. The kid has got some serious freaking talent. First time I watched the kid my jaw was on the floor. I think he just needs to capitalize more, he's so fast and so explosive but he's just to hesitant. He almost reminds me of Dawson in that respect, the flashy combination, but just doesn't put people away. Except Dawson has proven he can go the distance with top competition doing that; we have yet to see if Dirrel can. Hopefully this tournament goes through and we'll see him in some good fights, although I think it's a little early for him.

Yeah... idk, I'm a little worried for him to be in the tournament. I don't think Taylor or Froch have a prayer against him, but... the other three could pose trouble.

Kessler - The dude is just a really good boxer, and it's going to take someone special to beat him. I do think he beats Dirrell.
Ward - I can't make up my mind as to who wins this fight... I would think Dirrell because of his physical gifts, but at the same time, Ward's good defense could set up some serious counterpunching opportunities that could lead to a decision win.
Abraham - The Rocha fight showed that he might have some serious chin issues for his career. The guy who looks like he broke Ghevor's neck with one punch could probably exploit those if they are there. If Dirrell can avoid the huge shots, he should win this one.

That being said... I hope he proves me wrong and wins it all... that would be badass.

[savorduhflavor]

Abraham is the kind of guy that Dirrell, at this point in his career, should beat but would lose to. He's soo much better than Abraham, but after 6 or 7 rounds of the same **** over and over again I think he'll crumble when he realizes he's not getting Abraham out of there. Mix that up with a big puncher like Abraham and it's curtains.

I do think that outside of Kessler and Ward he's clearly the best guy in the tournament, but that doesn't mean he'll beat them all. I would like to see Dirrell take the Miranda test and see if he can stop him. He's got more pop than Ward but I think Ward was more successful avoiding the big punch than Dirrell would be.

[Fox McCloud]

Abraham is the kind of guy that Dirrell, at this point in his career, should beat but would lose to. He's soo much better than Abraham, but after 6 or 7 rounds of the same **** over and over again I think he'll crumble when he realizes he's not getting Abraham out of there. Mix that up with a big puncher like Abraham and it's curtains.

I do think that outside of Kessler and Ward he's clearly the best guy in the tournament, but that doesn't mean he'll beat them all. I would like to see Dirrell take the Miranda test and see if he can stop him. He's got more pop than Ward but I think Ward was more successful avoiding the big punch than Dirrell would be.

I was kind of high on this idea that he go and fight this Balszay character who is apparently pretty good, but not a huge puncher. For some reason, it's the punchers that worry me more than anything for Dirrell. I haven't even seen that Rocha fight that he was badly in trouble during, but... even so...

[Hitman932]

I think people get that mixed up with lack of a killer instinct. He has less of a killer instinct than Ward.

I've seen multiple fights of his where there was just no excuse for not getting his opponent out of there. I'm not someone who needs a knockout to appreciate a fight or a fighter, but the kid is just too talented to seriously hurt people with unbelievably impressive combination, and than proceed to just let him off the hook.

Dirrell has way more killer instinct than Ward, who has not stopped anyone of note.

Dirrell absolutely thrashed Anthony Hanshaw and the way he stepped back and landed a perfect left hand on the ropes is something very few fighters are smart, or slick enough, to do.

Hanshaw went the distance with RJJ at 175 and then was ran over by Dirrell at 168. Dirrell doesn't finish guys until he wants to, call it what you want it. He is a brash fighter who feels he can do things as he pleases and for the most part has proven it true.