With the recent TKO victory over Anthony Hanshaw last night, Andre Dirrell has solidified his status as a legit prospect. A couple of weeks ago, Andre Ward got a TKO victory over former title challenger Rubin Williams. Ward also took a major step up and proved that he was a legit prospect and future title contender. Both have identical records and both have recently took steps up in class. I seen that Alot of people were impressed with Dirrell's recent victory over Hanshaw and Dirrell has put himself back in the good graces of the boxing community. I remember reading alot of criticism on the part of Dirrell, calling him a runner and saying that he didn't like to get hit. Which prospect is on their way to greatness or they both neck and neck? I wanna know guys ... opinion?
I think Ward has a brighter future. IMO he has faced the slightly better competition in Williams, Diaz and Cantrell and KO all of them. But on the other hand, Direll did just convincingly KO Hanshaw, whom I feel is a better name then anyone on Ward's resume. Does Direll's convincing win over Hanshaw belittle RJJ's comeback at all? Because originally people thought his Hanshaw win was impressive.
Well Hanshaw had an impressive amateur pedigree ... he had over 300 amateur fights and if it weren't for a loss to Jermain Taylor, he wouldve represented the US in the olympics. He was undefeated ... I don't think a KO to Dirrell, hurt RJJ comeback trail ... I think it says more about Dirrell about an up and comer more than a RJJ bouncing back off defeats. Roy Jones has never been a guy to go for the kill, unless it was a given and it was safe. Dirrell's skills need to be respected ... he didn't engage with Stevenson because that wouldve give Stevenson the advantage. He knew that if he fought his fight that he would get the win and possilby the stoppage. During the fight you could tell that Stevenson was having trouble with cutting off the ring, and punching on the move. "Showtime" had to have his feet planted to get something off effective and Dirrell didn't let him do that and offset Stevenson attack. I wouldn't have called it running but more effective boxing ... I think that he shouldve stood his ground more, but non the less - he got the victory.
fitzgeraldz- I guess that's my problem with Direll. Sometimes his unwillingness to engage. Not saying that it's smart to brawl with a brawler all the time, but you know what I mean. I respect Direll's skills, don't get me wrong, I guess I just feel that Andre Ward has a more crowd pleasing style, and sometimes that will lead to more success even if the skills aren't there (ex. Mayorga). Like I said between the two fighters, Hanshaw is definitely the best name on ther resumes, and is a decent fighter so Direll's win was pretty impressive.
Its a problem that most fans have with fighters ... you would expect Dirrell to engage on instinct. Man I heard that Dirrell was beating down Chad Dawson ... Dirrell's only 25 ... his frame hasn't filled out yet ... and he's super fast. I think that once its all said and done ... Dirrell will be a world champion contender by next year. I agree that the Hanshaw win trumps the wins over the recent notable wins of Ward's. Ward is good and more than anything, isn't used to losing ... I think that factor will carry him very far. Its hard to seperate the two ... It seems like Ward is on a collision course w/ Allan Green followed by Edison Miranda. Green has fought Williams and Ravelo ... he hasn't been as active as in the past and his next big fight may be against Ward sometime next year.
Green vs. Ward would be a very intriguing matchup. I don't know if Ward has what it takes to step in with Miranda, but that would be interesting while it lasted. where do you guys have Direll going from here?
These guys (Direll and Ward) are more skilled than Pavlik ... Given the experience on the pro level Pavlik has the edge, but these guys are boxers and have skill to fight at different angles ... get on their toes ... overall speed ... and boxing ability. Pavlik is a good fighter but there is a reason why these guys are held in such a high reguard. Both fighters would beat Pavlik by UD ... and possibly stop Pavlik ... Pavlik has yet to fight a boxer w/ in and out skills ... a fighter thats able to fight going backwards ... a fighter with tremendous speed ... a fighter with great agility ...
Ive always been a Andre Ward fan(Oakland in the house). Never big on Dirrell expecially after the Stevens fight. I got to check out his latest performance.
all i can say is. ward and dirrell seem destined to meet one day in the pro's and that is something to look foward to.
