The article about it over at the Scene says there is still consideration for a February tune-up. It also says AA told the German media he was gonna "leave everything in the ring".
It may help his confidence and look better going into another super six match with a win BUT if he struggles or loses what of it then? He just isnt a supermiddleweight.
AA just needs to change trainer as soon as possible. Leave this old, outdated trainer he has and get a quality American trainer. He might benefit from the tune-up if he changes trainer and faces someone who is good enough to give him some challenge, but I don't think it may help him enough to beat Ward. He would need more time.
I do not believe that weight or "motivation" had anything to do with Abraham's problems. A distinct lack of high level opposition along with a lack of ability are the sources of AA's problems. Just look at his resume'. He fought Ikeke and won a title Jermain Taylor vacated. Old worn out Emmet Linton is the best win Ikeke ever had, and Emmet was a full time truck driver by the time he fought Ikeke. Bute, Ward, and Pavlik each fought Miranda once, and left absolutely no doubts. Abraham had to fight him twice, and if boxing was always fair, the first fight would have gone in the books as Miranda TKO4 Abraham. Shannon Taylor got knocked out by Raymond Joval, and then went the distance with Arthur in his very next fight. Fulgencio Zuniga won the IBO title at 168 when he smacked the crap out of Victor Oganov. Zuniga dropped that title so he could fight an IBF middleweight title eliminator against Sebastian Demers. Demers sustained an injury in training and pulled out thereby eliminating himself! The IBF allowed Sauerland and Abraham to screw Zuniga, and AA made a voluntary defense against Against Elvin Ayala. Raul Marquez fought a draw with McKart just a matter of months before Abraham/Marquez. Bronco McKart came off of a 19 month "retirement," and slapped seven shades of **** out of Jose Spearman. When Lujaun Simon fought Abraham, Spearman was one of Simon's best wins! That's six solid examples of who Arthur Abraham really is.
According to German media reports, Abraham wants to fight a tune-up fight in Germany on February 12th and fight Ward in April/May. Showtime still have to give their permission.
It's more like he needs one I hear. If he comes off two losses the fight vs Ward won't be sanctioned as a world title bout.
Abraham will fight Stjepan Bozic in a 10-rounder on February 12th, before fighting Ward on May 14th, according to "Bild".
Soooo.. Showtime won't show the semis on the same night? Froch was talking about May 21st for his fight vs Johnson. I wonder what they'll put up for undercards.
He needs to drop down to middleweight or jr. middleweight where his power will be a real force. Also, he needs to stop giving the early rounds away with that stupid high guard/plodding style. WTF is he thinking?
It can't hurt him. I don't think Ward will make Abraham look as bad as Froch did. Froch outperformed Dirrell vs Abraham. So the speed and boxing ability of Ward will probably be enough to win, but without the power to keep Abraham honest (and Ward has even less power than Dirrell) I can see Abraham picking up some rounds and possibly even dropping Ward. We'll see. I hope Abraham doesn't suck as much as it looks like he does right now...
At first, I wasn't hot at this tune up because the tournament has been long enough already but the fact is it doesn't change anything because both semi finals will be on May. It can't be bad for him. They chose a perfect opponent to make him look good. So, smart move.