First Round of the Super Middleweight Tourney

**savorduhflavor** · 07-14-2009, 02:37 PM

I think Kessler will decision Ward...not sure if Ward is ready.

I think Dirrell will crumble when he can't get Froch out of there and Froch will take him out late.

I don't think Abraham can apply the kind of pressure that Froch or Pavlik did, so I think Taylor will decision him.

**oldgringo** · 07-14-2009, 02:39 PM

Originally posted by blackirish137

Im too excited about this, I have to make a thread already.

The first round consists of
Andre Dirrell vs Carl Froch
Mikkel Kessler vs Andre Ward
Arthur Abraham vs Jermain Taylor

who do you think is going to win each of these bouts?
Theres a lot of questions about both Dirrell and Ward imo, and I think Ward is really about to be baptised in fire, going against Kessler.

I think Dirrell has a fair chance against Froch, because he could probably mimic what Taylor was doing to Froch, but his lack of experience may show up and Froch might overwhelm him.
Ward is really in over his head here, he better be 150%. Ward certainly has never been in there against someone like Kessler before.
Taylor should have what it takes to beat Abraham, but I wouldnt be the least bit surprised if he falls asleep and gets clocked. Abraham CAN punch, even if he has a lot of flaws. And Taylor is known to lapse in his fights. that just might be death when fighting Abraham.

what do yall think?

Yeah it's pretty badass. I still doubt it'll turn out to be ideal in the end due to politics, injuries and the like, but if it does indeed work there will be some awesome matchups throughout.

I like Kessler to win the whole thing. His lack of significant fights lately has been disappointing but I can't deny the skill and discipline he has shown.

I hope Dirrell gets starched against Froch. If he fights Froch like he fought Curtis Stevens he could potentially pepper his way to victory.

I like Kessler to outclass Ward. Ward hasn't shown me enough yet. Miranda and Ravelo are fair wins, but Kessler will match skill with him and has the tools to win the fight beyond that.

I don't see things getting better for Taylor. I think Abraham will catch him with something big somewhere in the middle of the fight. Arthur is a pretty good finisher and Jermain has a lot of heart. I expect a spectacular KO victory for Abraham...I'll be rooting for Taylor.

**Clegg** · 07-14-2009, 02:45 PM

Originally posted by blackirish137

Im too excited about this, I have to make a thread already.

The first round consists of
Andre Dirrell vs Carl Froch
Mikkel Kessler vs Andre Ward
Arthur Abraham vs Jermain Taylor

who do you think is going to win each of these bouts?
Theres a lot of questions about both Dirrell and Ward imo, and I think Ward is really about to be baptised in fire, going against Kessler.

I think Dirrell has a fair chance against Froch, because he could probably mimic what Taylor was doing to Froch, but his lack of experience may show up and Froch might overwhelm him.
Ward is really in over his head here, he better be 150%. Ward certainly has never been in there against someone like Kessler before.
Taylor should have what it takes to beat Abraham, but I wouldnt be the least bit surprised if he falls asleep and gets clocked. Abraham CAN punch, even if he has a lot of flaws. And Taylor is known to lapse in his fights. that just might be death when fighting Abraham.

what do yall think?

I think Dirrell has the talent to beat Froch, but it's a big step up. Dirrell will need to be mentally strong and have good durability, punch resistance and stamina.

If Dirrell is good enough to win most rounds against Taylor or Ward, he'll beat them. But against Froch he is going to be in for a hard time of it even if he dominates most of the fight. I think the championship rounds will be hard for Andre, as he will be in front of a hostile crowd, maybe tiring, and having someone come at him throwing non-stop bombs.

Froch is used to fighting guys with more skill than him, but Dirrell is not used to what Froch brings to the table IMO.

I'm leaning towards Froch.

I think that Kessler is too big of a step up for Ward. Maybe he'll show something extra when he steps up, as that's happened with other prospects before, but right now I just think there's too big of a gap there in Kessler's favour.

AA-Taylor, I lean towards JT. I think he's a bit underrated since his defeats, and I think Abraham is a bit overrated. Not in a big way, but slightly. I think AA is a good style matchup for Taylor. JT will be able to fight at his own pace, build up and a lead on the scorecards, and then if he's smart he can clinch, run and spoil his way through the dangerous last rounds, when he'll probably have more stamina than he usually does due to AA's low workrate.

**IMDAZED** · 07-14-2009, 02:46 PM

Ward-Kessler & Froch-Dirrell?

My jeans feel so warm and sticky

**Dynamite Kid** · 07-14-2009, 02:51 PM

Ive got a feeling Dirrell will squeeze past Froch before Froch can impose himself.

**MANGLER** · 07-14-2009, 02:55 PM

Froch outworks Dirrel
Kessler outboxes Ward
AA KO's Taylor

**BMWM3P** · 07-14-2009, 02:58 PM

All european first round.

**Heru** · 07-14-2009, 02:58 PM

Lol, at the 4 people that think 390 punch over 12 round throwing and still gets exhausted Jermain Taylor is gonna beat Abraham.

**Steak** · 07-14-2009, 03:06 PM

Originally posted by QUELOQUE

Lol, at the 4 people that think 390 punch over 12 round throwing and still gets exhausted Jermain Taylor is gonna beat Abraham.

um, Abraham isnt any better in that department. he spends 2 minutes of each round lying on the ropes with his guard up, only ends up fighting in spurts in the last minute, stil gets pretty tired.

although he does keep that KO power late in the fight.

Abraham has had some pretty mediocre performances against limited competition in the past. not to mention Raul Marquez broke his ribs before Marquez quit.

still...I could easily see Taylor taking over the fight early, and then lapsing for a second and then the fights over in a quick flurry of punches by Abraham.

First Round of the Super Middleweight Tourney