Roy Jones in a late replacement for Andre Ward missing in action today...:nut Rico Spadafora would have a permanent boner writing glass jaw journals..
In my opinion there is no real favorite.Anything can happen.All fighters are very close. That´s the greatest thing about this tournament.
I'm picking Abraham and Kessler to be the final two but I have no idea who might come out on top in that fight should it actually happen. Taylor is damaged goods and isn't nearly aggressive enough to make it through the first round of fights and I think eventually Froch is going to run into trouble and be eliminated midway through.
I agree. However, we might see Ward's talent and pedigree come to the top here. Got a feeling he hasn't got the power, and despite no real recent evidence, I've got a sense his chin isn't great. We're only really missing Bute and Pavlik in this tournament, so it's been done very well. My big disagreement is gaining a point for a stoppage. This sport is about winning, no matter how it's done (within the rules, of course...)
I'm not ready to pick an overall winner. My knee jerk reaction is "Kessler," but I have unanswered question about all six combatants. We'll have a better idea after the first round of fights. Taylor/Abraham: Man, Arthur has been bitching about weight for the last year, but I just saw a picture of him standing between Froch and Kessler, and he looks like a freaking midget. On the other hand, there isn't a nickels worth of size difference between Froch and Taylor. So, JT should be going into this fight with every advantage expect one-punch power. Taylor also represents everything that troubles Abraham; height, reach, a good stiff and quick jab, fast hands, a good hard and quick counter right, boxing skills, et. If Taylor isn't ruined from two brutal knockouts in two years, he should win this big. The question is; "Is there anything left in the gas tank?" Froch/Dirrell: How will Froch deal with Dirrel's speed and herky-jerky style? Dirrell is largely untested, and Zuniga beat Oganov more convincingly than Andre did, so we do not know how he will deal with Froch's ferocity, tenacity, and "you're going to have to leave me for dead" attitude? My best guess is that Froch stops him late. Kessler/Ward: This looks like a no brainer at first glance, but is it? Kessler hasn't fought anyone of note since Calzaghe, so he may have a little rust on him. Ward's best win is Miranda who doesn't even live on the same planet as Kessler, so, "Is he in over his head?" We'll find out. I'm picking Kessler by clear UD.