Abraham to fight Taylor in Berlin's O2 arena.

[damned]

[QUOTE=Jan(DK);5964114]

^^(Be aware - my reply is to DAMNED's post #72.)



Damn good post actually, even though i disagree in 1 or 2 things.

When i read the underlined, i can already hear this if Kessler wins it all:

"Taylor was shut, and Dirrell and Ward was overrated big time. Kessler only achievement so far is a lose to Calslappy and a lot of wins against nobodies. Taylor in his prime and Hopkins and Jones at present would easily beat Kessler."

Back in the good old days, i remembering to stay up to 4-5 am to watch the great fights including Ali, Foreman, Frazier and.... US was the boxing mecca and there fighters was ATG, but there was a lot a good fighters in Cuba and Eastern Europa who couldn't participate.

It seems, than when the US-fighters were the best - the level of boxing was extremely high, but now, when the US-fighters isn't the best, somehow the level af boxing is at an all time low ??

I give Kessler, Froch and Abraham a lot of credit to join this tournament - they have a lot / belts at stake!. And of cause huge credit to Taylor, Dirrell and Ward - but they have a lot to gain..........right ??

Could you honestly think of a prime Wright, Hopkins or Jones joining a tournament against Ottke/Calzaghe and 2 young and talented EU-fighters who they have to face in there backyards............. NOOOOO !!!!

I think Show Time has come to the conclusion: Let HBO show old US vs. old US III in US................ and we will show boxing for the world!!!.

Make any sense ?

Ok-where do I start-lol.
I wouldn't personally make excuses for Dirrell and Ward being over-rated.In fact,I really don't know how to rate them being that they haven't been in against stiff competition.It's a big question mark over them-but at least they hungry for the recognition-cong**** to them and Kessler for stepping outside of their comfort zones. Hopefully boxing continues this trend,so it can progress.

As far as a prime Hopkins,Jones and Winky Wright being involved in a similar competition with Ottke, Calzaghe, etc. I would say Ottke would be a massive underdog,and I shudder to think what Jones or Hopkins would have done to him.Calzaghe would hold his own,but I think Roy wins it.Realistically it would be impossible to match prime for prime on both sides,but it would have been great.As for Wright,Hopkins,and Jones go-Wright has fought MANY times in Europe,Hopkins has fought 2 times out of the States,and Jones never,he claims because he felt he would get screwed like the olympics.Ottke had never to my memory been outside of Europe,and Calzaghe only twice.

Finally-yes,I believe Kessler, Froch and Abraham have a lot to lose and I am assuming that's why they should get credit for taking this tournament.I agree,but they will get serious recognition for this also,so it does not come without reward.
As far as the excuse that Taylor is "shot" if he loses-there are already questions with this-hopefully they aren't confirmed by another ko.I personally don't believe he is shot-I think he has always had poor stamina and problems with pressure fighters.Ironic,since he does good with more technical fighters....

[damned]

It seems, than when the US-fighters were the best - the level of boxing was extremely high, but now, when the US-fighters isn't the best, somehow the level af boxing is at an all time low ??

Well,I wouldn't say that really.I do think that since boxing is a part of the sports and entertainment industry it can have some bitter politics.
I do think that when American fighters were at the best,the competition was undoubtedly high (eg-Ali,SRL, eras),yet now Europe has had a big surge of great fighters while America is in a little slump.There are still great fighters in America,but it has seen better days...especially with the heavyweight division-America has nothing atm.

[Peder]

Nice stadium.
Though, especially in the Euro vs. Euro fights, I could se the demand for a yet bigger place..

Has it been announced where the second round fights will be at?

[Shadows]

Nice stadium.
Though, especially in the Euro vs. Euro fights, I could se the demand for a yet bigger place..

Has it been announced where the second round fights will be at?

They haven't. But I assume who was ever "home" during the first round won't be during the second round.

[dstew]

Nice stadium.
Though, especially in the Euro vs. Euro fights, I could se the demand for a yet bigger place..

Has it been announced where the second round fights will be at?

The rumors are that Froch/Kessler will be in Denmark and both Taylor/Ward and Abraham/Dirrell will be somewhere in the US - it wouldn't surprise me if these were on a shared card.

[Shadows]

The rumors are that Froch/Kessler will be in Denmark and both Taylor/Ward and Abraham/Dirrell will be somewhere in the US - it wouldn't surprise me if these were on a shared card.

Sharing the card would be a good idea, but where do you suppose they'd hold it? It's tough to do when dealing with guys from Little Rock, Oakland, Flint, and Berlin. Perhaps Vegas would be a good choice, seeing as it wouldn't put the burden of travel on one group, as I'm willing to bet the German fans wouldn't mind going to Vegas.

[BattlingNelson]

The rumors are that Froch/Kessler will be in Denmark and both Taylor/Ward and Abraham/Dirrell will be somewhere in the US - it wouldn't surprise me if these were on a shared card.

If a shared card was to be made it would be a huge event.

I'd love for Kessler-Froch to be in Denmark obviously. That fight would mean an instant sell-out of Parken stadium.

[dstew]

Sharing the card would be a good idea, but where do you suppose they'd hold it? It's tough to do when dealing with guys from Little Rock, Oakland, Flint, and Berlin. Perhaps Vegas would be a good choice, seeing as it wouldn't put the burden of travel on one group, as I'm willing to bet the German fans wouldn't mind going to Vegas.

Best place to do a shared card would be Vegas, Atlantic City, or NYC.

I'm not sure what Dirrell's following is like in Michigan, but I don't think he's had many fights there so that isn't a promising sign.

Ward seems to be pretty popular in the Bay area, so that could be a possibility, but I'm not sure Taylor, who has a good following in Arkansas, would agree to that, especially since Ward would've JUST fought in his hometown against Kessler.

And a lot of it could depend on who wins the first round fights; a big win for Ward or Taylor could give them a lot of hype in their hometowns and make good financial sense to hold a fight in their areas.

But I just have a feeling they will go for neutral sites...

[dstew]

If a shared card was to be made it would be a huge event.

I'd love for Kessler-Froch to be in Denmark obviously. That fight would mean an instant sell-out of Parken stadium.

I think that's the plan, Bat.

Kessler is due for a home fight in the 2nd round, so if not Denmark then where? Germany is a possibility I guess.

[BattlingNelson]

I think that's the plan, Bat.

Kessler is due for a home fight in the 2nd round, so if not Denmark then where? Germany is a possibility I guess.

If he's getting a homefight it must be in Denmark. The fight would attract 50K people there and could never do that in Germany.