I like Froch, Kessler, because they are champions in the division. But I think Bute and Bika should have also been added to the tournament as champions. I think Taylor should have not been added after his loss to Froch. I know Pavilk has a big fight with Williams at 160 but he wasn't considered in the tournament. I think the format should format and participants should have been. Bute vs. Abraham, Bika vs. Andrade in one bracket and the winner for the IBF and IBO unification. Froch vs. Green, Kessler vs. Ward in bracket two and the winner for the WBC and WBA unification. To declare the Undisputed Champion at 168 do anyone agree because this is a good divison and it needs more appeal and this is the best scenario to me do anyone agree.
its not about whether there is something better, its about how good it is. 11 fights pitting Dirrell, Taylor, Abraham, Ward, Kessler and Froch against each other? Consecutively? wow
Listen, not everything is going to be perfect. You should just be thankful for it. Pavlik is a HBO FIGHTER. He wouldn't be in this tournament. The only thing the guys who were left out should do is fight each other & the winner should demand a fight with the tournament winner.
I'm not to arsed about Pavlik or Bika not being in it. Would have been good to have Bute in though. Does anyone know why Bute didn't make the cut?
Showtime was never really in talks with Bute. They wanted 3 euros vs 3 americans. Kessler and Abraham are both Saurland fighters, who initiated the whole thing. Froch was coming off a win over Taylor. Meanwhile Bute was already set to have a rematch against Andrade If they would have made it a super 8 with Bute and Andrade rematch as one of the first round fights, that would have worked out really well. They would have had the Mexican audience and Montreal crowds on top of it. It would still be 4 Euro's vs 4 Americans, but with 1 Euro living in Montreal and 1 American actually a Mexican-American (or straight up Mexican fighting out of the US) That would have been amazing, and they would have had the 3 titles (WBC, WBA, IBF) on the line.
Probably because he's not american. Plus I believ they said it was either 6 men or nothing and that means one american would have to go since at least one sholdn't have been in there anyway.
I would of loved for Bute and Pavlik to be in it ahead of Taylor and Dirrell. But we got 6 quality fighters to compete with each other over the next 18 months or so in 11 fights. That's a damn good deal for boxing fans. 3 Americans in the former undisputed middleweight champion of the world with 2 terrific young prospects. Then we have 3 Europeans, 2 of which hold world titles and the other is an undefeated former world title holder at middleweight. Superb tournament and much thanks to the promoters and fighters for agreeing to it.
I think you bring up some good points. I figured (but don't really know) that they brought in Taylor, who has some question marks, and Dirrel, in only his 19th fight, to appeal to the large American market. I think Bute and Bika rank high enough to merit being in this tourney and I personally think Andrade is justified being there. I hope one of these three are the replacement for JT.
Thank you for making my point Bute and Bika as champions should have been in it and Ward and Andrade along with AA, Froch, Kessler that is the best at 168 point blank.
