FightHype's staff predictions are for this weekend's first round of the Super Six World Boxing Classic Super Middleweight Tournament as WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch defends his title against unbeaten Andre Dirrell and former middleweight champions Jerman Taylor and Arthur Abraham collide. Who will win? Who will lose? Get the answers to these questions and more in FightHype's staff predictions.
JERMAIN TAYLOR VS. ARTHUR ABRAHAM
Ben "The Hype" Thompson - Taylor by Split Decision
USA! USA! USA! I can't lie...I'm pulling for the American boys in this tournament. Although Taylor has history of fading late in fights, the boy can still box and has a heavy right hand that can discourage any opponent. Reports from camp are that Taylor has his stamina issue in check. As long as he paces himself throughout the course of the fight, Taylor should be able to work up a pretty sizeable lead on the scorecards. It will be up to Abraham to turn up the heat and come from behind in the later rounds, which he has consistently done in the past against lesser and smaller competition. This time around, however, I think Taylor, who actually might be Abraham's toughest opponent to date, will survive a late rally to earn the decision on the scorecards. The question is whether or not all three judges will actually give him the nod in Abraham's backyard.
Percy "Talent" Crawford - Taylor TKO8
Al "The Monster" Mermini - Abraham by Unanimous Decision
Stuart Mahoney - Abraham TKO10
Simon Ruvalcaba - Abraham KO8
Evan Korn - Abraham by Unanimous Decision
Abraham, fighting in his hometown, will experience some rough moments early in the fight, but down the stretch, he will wear Taylor down en route to a unanimous decision.
Josh Jordon - Abraham TKO10
This one is probably gonna play out like most of JT's recent performances: Taylor taking an early lead and then running out of gas and getting dropped in the 10th. I think this is a great draw for Abraham's first fight at 168, especially since JT hasn't been at 168 very long himself.
Brad Cooper - Taylor by Majority Decision
Can Taylor overcome the now infamous "Taylor Fade" that seems to come after 7 rounds? I think so. Taylor outworks Abraham, appears to win 8 rounds, but escapes with a razor thin decision away from American soil. Of course, keeping the venue in mind, controversy could be a possibility. For further discussion, contact Paul Malignaggi to get his opinion.
Nick Sanchez - Abraham TKO11
Joe DeMaria - Abraham by Decision
I have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of us are going to be surprised by Jermain Taylor. If Arthur Abraham does not press him early enough, that will only play into his hands. But for the life of me, I just cannot get myself to pick the upset over Abraham in Germany, the key being "in Germany". Give me Arthur Abraham by a very close decision over Jermain Taylor in a fight that does not disappoint.
John "Method" Bell - Abraham TKO
I'll go against my better judgment and...ahhh, no I wont. Abraham by late stoppage.
Sandy "plush" Liptrot - Taylor by Split Decision
SKULLSPLITTER "The CEO" - Abraham by Decision
If Taylor doesn't gas, he can beat Abraham, but the hometown advantage in this tournament is a killer.
Joseph "falvoa" Falvo - Abraham KO10
Joey "Titlebetl" Karash - Abraham by Unanimous Decision
Steve "mbase" Coleman - Taylor TKO
Although this is tougher to pick, contrary to all of the experts' opinions, I'm going out on a limb and saying that Taylor beats Abraham. Abraham has pretty good earmuff defense and since I don't think Taylor can win a decision in Germany, he will have to stop him! That's a tall order, but I think that Abraham's competition has been soft compared to Taylor's. Unlike many people, I am not picking Abraham to win the entire Super Six. I'm going with Dirrell as the serious dark horse. I think Dirrell beats Kessler also.
Gianluca Di Caro - Abraham by Decision
I'm going to sound like I have a rather European bias with my predictions this week. This matchup is a great fight on the cards, but I have to say I see King Arthur keeping his unblemished record intact with a close points decision.
Kenneth Lundgren - Taylor by Unanimous Decision
As long as the engine is there, Taylor by wide decision over Abraham.
CARL FROCH VS. ANDRE DIRRELL
Ben "The Hype" Thompson - Dirrell by Split Decision
USA! USA! USA! Like I said, I'm pulling for the American boys in this tournament. Dirrell has all the tools to outbox Froch, who looked extremely hittable despite pulling out the last second victory over Jermain Taylor. Expect Dirrell to stay on the outside as much as possible as he looks to build up a lead on the scorecards with quick combinations. Froch will press the action as much as possible, looking to draw Dirrell into a slugfest in hopes of scoring the knockout. Unlike Taylor and Pascal, however, Dirrell will frustrate the hard-hitting Froch with his refusal to engage in a war. It will be ugly and the fans might not be happy with the performance, but I think Dirrell will play it safe, keep his distance and ultimately win on the scorecards by outworking Froch.
Percy "Talent" Crawford - Dirrell by Split Decision
Al "The Monster" Mermini - Froch TKO10
Stuart Mahoney - Froch by Unanimous Decision
Simon Ruvalcaba - Dirrell by Decision
Evan Korn - Froch TKO11
Dirrell will use his movement to blunt Froch's attack, but eventually, the Englishman will catch the American.
Josh Jordon - Dirrell by Unanimous Decision
This is kind of a tough pick for me since I haven't seen too many of Froch's matches, but I think Dirrell's hand speed is way too much of an edge. From what I've seen of Froch, he is a tough SOB and won't be stopped, but will be dominated on the cards.
Brad Cooper - Dirrell by Unanimous Decision
Expect perhaps the least heralded participant of the Super Six to outwork Froch, who pulled out a miracle 12th round stoppage over Jermain Taylor several months back, but revealed his weaknesses in the 11 rounds that preceded it. Andre has all the tools and they'll come out in an impressive performance.
Nick Sanchez - Froch by Unanimous Decision
Joe DeMaria - Froch by Decision
We know Carl Froch can fight through adversity, a deficit on the cards and an opponent who he cannot match athletically. We also know he can bite down, wear a guy out and stop him late if he needs to. We do NOT know if Andre Dirrell can pick it up late when he needs to win rounds, but his gas tank is running low. For all his athletic ability, I just do not think Dirrell is ready for Froch in the UK. After some moments early, look for the American to wear down late as he survives to make it 12, but loses a decision.
John "Method" Bell - Dirrell by Decision
Dirrell outpoints Froch.
Sandy "plush" Liptrot - Froch by Unanimous Decision
SKULLSPLITTER "The CEO" - Froch by Decision
If Dirrell doesn't choke, he can beat Froch, but the hometown advantage in this tournament is a killer. Is there an echo in here?
Joseph "falvoa" Falvo - Dirrell by Unanimous Decision
Joey "Titlebelt" Karash - Dirrell by Split Decision
Steve "mbase" COleman - Dirrell TKO10
Dirrell is too fast and too skilled forFroch, who will be walking into his punches. Froch has no defense, and you know what I feel about guys with no defense. Froch will be on the losing end of most of these bouts in this tournament.
Gianluca Di Caro - Froch TKO8
I am so looking forward to this fight. More than anything, I am expecting the Carl Froch I followed throughout his UK career to appear, not the facsimile that faced Jermaine Taylor. Being that he is back home in Nottingham, I predict a one-man riot with the "Cobra" striking a magnificent 8th round stoppage.
Kenneth Lundgren - Froch by Unanimous Decision
Toughness over athleticism, Froch by unanimous decision or possibly a late stoppage over Dirrell.