Hey guys, Awhile back I interviewed Showtime Sports vice president Ken Hershman about the Super Six and how it has played out so far as well as many other questions surrounding the groundbreaking round robin format they explored with it. I also got quotes from Dan Goossen, who promotes tournament finalist Andre Ward. It turned into a massive piece that I have broken down into three parts. Here is the first part, let me know what you think. This content is protected Dissecting the Super Six: Part One Mark Ortega Leave-it-in-the-ring.com lead writer With the Super Six World Boxing Classic headed down the final straightaway, Leave it in the Ring lead writer Mark Ortega makes a comprehensive three-part appraisal of the groundbreaking tournaments unfolding and considers what the future holds following its culmination. Included are insightful takes courtesy of Ken Hershman, vice president of Showtime Sports (the network responsible for producing the round robin), and Goossen-Tutors own Dan Goossen, who promotes Super Six finalist Andre Ward. In part one, Ortega explores the provenance of the Super Six and all the elements necessary for the execution of such a historic event. "First and foremost, the concept is a terrific one for the sport. So despite some of the other comments I may have as it relates to tightening up the commitment and all the other facets that come along with it, I believe it's a great vehicle for the future. - Dan Goossen, Goossen-Tutor Promotions More than two years later, Showtime's inaugural [possibly only] Super Six World Boxing Classic is in its final lap. Leave-it-in-the-ring.com lead writer Mark Ortega takes a comprehensive look at how it has played out. Just shy of two years ago, an announcement was made that would rock the foundations of not only the 168-pound weight class, but of the boxing world. Showtime, the long time runner-up in terms of premium televised boxing coverage in the United States, had announced a six man, abbreviated round robin tournament that would make great strides in determining a true champion for a weight division that had been lacking in prestige. Of the super middleweight divisions twenty-seven years in existence, only one Ring Magazine world champion had ever been crowned. In March 2006, Joe Calzaghe lifted the title with his one-sided drubbing of then undefeated Jeff Lacy, then left the belt up for grabs following his retirement in 2008. Click here to read the rest...
- Carl Froch is great, and too under-appreciated - But Ward is about to add the WBC to his WBA he gained from Kessler. - And the Super-Six is great for the sport in theory - But in practice Dirrell and Taylor both take a step out - And Bute should have been in there with his IBF strap - that was its weak point
They amended that by signing Bute to a multi-fight contract that can only end in Bute or his eventual conqueror meeting the Super Six champ.
The Super 6 was great for boxing fans. Imperfectly planned, yes, but most things in life are. Be thankful it happened.
- Hands up - I remember watching YouTube clips about Bute signing a 3-fight-deal with Showtime - I love Bute's style - very stylish - But its about time he met another formidable foe: A Ward A Froch A Kessler or even a Dirrell
ill read the rest of it later but i feel i should point out Froch is only just becoming something that barely resembles a celebrity over here in the last 2months let alone back when the super 6 started (outside of boxing fans of course)
good read.. Can't wait till they highlight the creation of fight camp 360.. that series is RAW the best that I have seen so far..
