Andre Dirrell and Andre Ward are going to surprise alot of so called boxing experts

I think you're underrating Froch, overrating Dirrell who I feel is too GREEN, and and you're right on about Ward.

I think Ward probably has the greatest potential and so far has shown exceptional boxing intelligence...

The guy has all the tools, and once he puts everything together, he'll be able to land the power shots he was landing a little earlier in his career...

 

I think Ward has a better chance to win this tourney than Dirrell. Ward at least fought a world class fighter but Dirrell never fought anyone. I think both of them loses their first fights but its no shame to lose to a Kessler or a Froch.

 

Dirrell doesn't seem battle-tested to me. Froch isn't supremely talented but he's agressive and pretty relentless. I'd have to favor him at this pt.

I like Ward a lot more than Dirrell in this tournament since it's not single elmination.

 

The biggest question I have about Andre Dirrell is how will he do in the later rounds at this higher level?

Take a look at the number of times his fights have gone beyond 6 rounds and the rounds these fights ended in:

Round 07 = 0
Round 08 = 1
Round 09 = 0
Round 10 = 1
Round 11 = 0
Round 12 = 0

During this tournament he will be taken into the unknown and at a higher level than he has previously operated on.

With that in mind it seems almost impossible to predict what would happen if he got into the "championship rounds" with a world champion hell bent on keeping his title.

Looking at his first fight: Froch is very strong in the later rounds.

You might conclude that Dirrell needs to take Froch out early but I don't feel he has massive power (although he does have a 72.22 KO percentage) and Froch has a solid chin. Lets not forget that Froch has an 80 KO percentage himself.

In my opinion Dirrells best bet would be to try to use speed to outpoint Froch and avoid getting into a war with him. Although we saw in the Jermain Taylor fight that Froch won't let his title just slip away so Dirrell can expect to be under big pressure late on.

To summarize I feel that there are still too many unanswered questions to EXPECT Dirrell to win against the likes of Froch and Kessler (as some people on this forum are doing).

He has a chance of winning but based on the facts we have now I would certainly lean towards a win for Froch.

One things for sure, after the first fight we will have a much better idea of how this tournament will turn out for Dirrell.

 

If we are talking about a high level bout I agree he isn't tested, but Froch, AA, and JT aren't going to test anyone at SMW. JT won't because he doesn't have any stamina and fades quickly. AA and Froch are crude sluggers and any boxer will pick them apart relativly easy. AA and Froch are easy to hit, they are now fighting world class opposition, and in AA's case bigger men, their lack of defense is going to be their undoing, that and their lack of skill.

 

I think you under rate AA and Froch. AA is not that easy to hit. It is easy to hyped up a prospect. Look at Victor Ortiz as an example.

 

Sorry but AA is extremely easy to hit, he was getting lit up by a nobody his last fight. IF that guy had actual power, he might have actually hurt AA, now he is going to fight bigger men who are stronger, have longer reach, and are physically bigger than him.

 

AA had his jaw broken and still didn't look anywhere close like he was going to get KO in the ring. He didn't even wobble when Miranda hit him with the right hand that broke his jaw. With AA defense he gets hit in the arm and shoulder like Winky. Just wait and see just like any other JT fight he will get tired and fade in the middle rounds and AA will KO him in 6 or 7.

 

Don't you think that this tournament represents a step up in class of opposition for Dirrell then? I certainly do.

I understand some of the things you have said about his opponents but you seem to be very (overly) negative about them. Surely all fighters (including Dirrell) would seem to be rubbish if we only talk about their negatives and none of their positives?

 

Hey look I give respect to Kessler, he is a legit test for everyone in the comp, but lets be real JT and AA are middleweights, they are not proven at SMW. Froch is a club fighter. AW, AD, and Kessler are the only really skilled SMW in this tourny.

 

Well...I think people are over looking them. For me, Ward will lose to Kessler but if he puts up a good fight it will hold him in good stead for the rest of the tournament. Dirrell has a very good chance against Froch and I'm picking him to beat Froch. Dirrell is certainly the most talented of everyone IMO and if he can put it together, he'll do very well in this tournament.

 

Dirrell maybe.....
Ward no way.....

 

For Dirrell and Ward they have long future so if they lose its not like it will really hurt their career. I think if they are competitive it will really helped them improve for the future.

 

On the surface I disagree, but I'm certainly not going to dismiss Ward or Dirrell out of hand. I've seen to many young guns come along and take over a division unexpectedly.

 

IMO, Dirrell will surprise Froch with his speed and better stamina than Taylor. But Ward will have a harder time against Kessler.