Arthur Abraham vs Vernon Forrest For IBF Middleweight belt

Forrest the favorite??? What are you a Pav fan lol...!!!??? You do know that forrest is like 37 or 38...right? AA has a unique style. He doesn't need to fight 3 minutes a round. Forrest doesn't fight 3 minutes a round, and he never did. AA is defense, and counter punching with true power. Forrest is not out boxing AA...you can bet on that lol.

 

I edited my post before you wrote this post regarding Mora and Mayorga I think. If not, you know what I meant. Forrest was a better boxer than Mayorga and Mayorga still stopped Forrest. Mayorga or Mora are not half the fighter AA is. AA is a true middleweight who can also box.

 

Well, it seems they are taking the Taylor road, choosing a 'name' from a lower weight class. The risk here is that a KO win is almost mandatory, and anything less than a spectacular win - and neither Kelly Pavlik opponent Sergio Mora or Vernon Forrest will go out in 3 - will result in fan disappointment, just remember the reactions of Taylor's performances vs. Ouma and Spinks. That's why I disagree with this kind of opponent selection. The quality of a victory over Ouma, Spinks, Mora or Forrest at 160 is not as good as at 154.

With that said, Forrest is a smart choice as AA is still after Pavlik: other than being The Ring #1 LMW and a world champion, he's the guy who beat Mora, the next Pavlik PPV opponent. But Abraham needs a real preparation and a new conditioning coach to keep that weight down.

 

Good post:good

 

Well, I have watched all of AA fights since he won the title and even some before so I am better informed about AA abilities than most guys here.

I actually like AA but I think Forrest will outbox him. AA's defense is overrated and he is certainly not a counter puncher, in fact he rarely counters at all.

Forrest keep the jab in his face and will be busier and avoid getting hit a lot with AA's flurries. Forrets is more skilled, AA has more power.

 

I don't see Forrest as being more skilled at all. You are in for a rude awakening when you see this fight. Forrest has one chance. He'd better hope that AA struggles to make 160. We are talking of course if they do fight.

 

After seeing Arthur's face in the first Marquez weigh in and the Simon weigh in, I think he is already too long at MW. I have my doubts that he can be effective at the top level. Hatton cuts a much, so maybe, but still.... think Oscar. Maybe it is just what you have to cut that makes the difference?

 

IMO Forrest outboxes the in shape version of AA (the one that beat Miranda).

Forrest is more skilled in the following department:

Technique, Defense, Jab.

AA has the edge:

Power and chin.

Forrest is a savy veteran who will come in with good gameplan. It won't be Hopkins-Pavlik but Forrest will do enough to win a decision.

 

Forrest does nothing better than AA.

 

I guess you do not know AA well enough.

Forrest is clearly the better boxer, AA is the better puncher. We will sess who is right then in the summer.

 

If the fight is in the US and Forrest comes to fight aggressively (rare for him these days), I think he can steal away a win. Abraham's habit of only fighting the last minute of a round won't serve him well with American judges, but Forrest usually isn't the type to try outworking someone who isn't doing much themselves.

 

Forrest was the better boxer. His speed, reflexes, workrate are pretty noticeably diminished from his salad days. Those are the tools that would equalize the size/strength disparity and give him a chance in a prime-for-prime matchup. Now, there is no clear equalizer and pretty much no chance for Vernon. He's got his skill and experience, sure - but it's not like Abe is some crude slugging prospect so that's hardly an 'edge'.

 

Vernon Forrest is clearly the better technician and he has the better jab. Technique stays with you even when you get older.

Forrest is the currently the best 154 pounder. AA is a good puncher but he is moving up in class against Vernon.

 

Being slicker and having prettier punch technique/footwork is nullified if you don't have the speed to GTFO of the way of a much stronger opponent's offense. Sergio freaking Mora was able to light up Vernon's face at times. Abraham will be able to find his target. Forrest can put on a technical clinic, he's still not spry enough and no longer has the head movement or fleetness of foot to avoid King Arthur's onslaught. And it won't take many shots to accumulate before Forrest, who IMO is borderline shot, crumbles. And the jab is a moot point, as Abe is more of a cautious mongoose/stalker style than a straight-ahead pressure fighter. Vernon can stick it all he wants, Abe will just give up on that angle and wait for another opening - nothing is going to get set up off of it.

 

But you do not know how AA will deal with a good jabber like Forrest. AA has not exactly fought great competition, who has he beaten, nobody in Vernon's class.

You insist that AA strength will play an important role, but keep in mind that AA only fights in spurts. So, if Vernon uses his experience and defense during those spurts he won't get KOD.