Froch-when did he step it up and get out of the "green" stage?

I concur. :good

 

If Dirrell pulls this off I'll be very impressed and agree that he is the real deal. I just don't think he will.

 

Unsuprisingly most of the Americans are backing Dirrell and hailing him as the guy at Super middle. The same things were being said about Jermaine Taylor before he fought Froch then afterwards it was all about Taylor's weak stamina and chin. Now its all about Dirrell being quicker, more skilled and having better stamina and chin. Fact is Dirrell hasn't shown he has a better chin or better stamina at all. He has never been 12, and the only time he has been 10 was when he ran around the ring in what the HBO commentator called a disgrace.

I see the fight going fairly similarly to the Taylor fight, Dirrell building up a lead early before getting caught up with. If Froch is in touch (3 rounds or less behind) after 8 rounds I expect him to do it.

 

Fair enough. I forgot about Brian Magee. I still think a shot Robin Reid presented as much of a challenge as Oganov though. At least Reid had experience!

 

Nice post, couldn't have summed up my own thoughts that well. There are a number intangibles that you would obviously give Froch that advantage in, being tested and proven (punch resistance, will to win etc etc). But even with this aside, people seem to be relying solely on the fact that Dirrell has great hand speed, and ignoring technical flaws in his game (people easily confuse flashiness with skill or technical prowess).

Most justification for a Dirrell win implies that he will box and move for 12 rounds. The problem with this is he has never done it before, and falls into a rhythm of moving backwards too often, he will probably find himself getting pinned on the ropes. People are expecting him to do things he hasn't consistently done for a full fight against journeyman against his first world class opponent.

Froch will bring it to Dirrell and Dirrell will return the favour in style, but this will be his downfall. Froch will draw him into exchanges too often and Dirrell will tire himself out (even if he appears to be dominant early) and it will come back to bite him in the arse. Although Dirrell has a clear stylistic advantage with his handspeed and Froch's questionable defence, there are too many ifs and its too big of a step up too soon.

Froch TKO 11.

 

this thread will be fun next week.