Rank 'em: The Super 6 after stage 1

Ward
Kessler
Abraham
Froch
Dirrell
Taylor

 

1} Ward-won championship, good performance-regardless of some of the 'tactics' used

2} Abraham- Sickening ko of Taylor makes him a name to 'fear'

3}Dirrel- went into a foreign country and probably did enough to win-regardless of some of the things he did himself which were less than pleasing im sure to the judges.

4} Froch- tough match up with Dirrel. Tough for him to look good...but got the W.

5} Kessler- needs to rebound well after that

6}Taylor- Im not sure he should still compete.

 

Based only on first round

Ward
Abraham
Froch
Dirrell
Kessler
Taylor

But I still think a mentally fight Kessler will beat Froch and Taylor - and then we'll hopefully see a rematch where Kessler has actually prepared for his opponent with a real trainer

 

Yes, this is impressive.

As for ranking them, I am reserving judgement save for JT, the only fighter I believe definitely will not win the S6.

 

Ward
Dirrel - He won...easily
Abraham
Froch
Taylor
Kessler

 

I have them as follows

1. Ward-Executed an excellent gameplan, outclassing the early tournament favorite. Has speed, angles, southpaw advantage, sneaky power, heart of a champion. Can handle power and adapt within rounds

2. Abraham-Tough as nails with great defense and crushing power. Is a physical brute, and possesses decent handspeed and is an excellent tactician. He has KO power in either hand and is very accurate. His KO of Taylor came after in fight he noticed Taylors tendency to expose himself a right hook because he brings his guard up in front of his face.

3. Froch-Southpaw with bludgeoning power and aggressive counter punching style. Froch is the least skilled of the six, but likely has the most determined mindset, honestly believes he cannot lose. He can roughhouse and knows how to make fighters uncomfortable. Takes punches with his face and is easy to hit. His raw strength and power make him difficult to beat though. A proverbial "kill em to beat em" type of fighter

4. Dirrell-Perhaps the best pure athlete in the tournament, with exceptional hand and footspeed, great footwork, fluid boxer/puncher. I rank him at 4th due to his unimpressive showing against Froch. Took 2/3rds of the fight to adapt, didnt fight with confidence, and didnt gain Frochs respect. Was composed, but didnt display a champion mindset.

5. Kessler-Has drastically fallen after his fight with Ward. Southpaws and angles give him problems. Couldnt adapt at all and seemed genuinely confused at times. Next fight with Froch is going to be a nightmare, fighting an unorthodox southpaw that counterpunches, loves to brawl, and is a physical beast. Kessler has to impress against Froch and show he can make adjustments and have a strategy.

6. Taylor-Taylor is probably the 2nd or 3rd best boxer in the tournament behind Ward and Kessler. However, he has consistently had stamina problems down the stretch in every fight, has been brutally KOed, and his chin is likely dented. Can beat his opponents on points, but cant survive the end of the fight. His place in the tournament is questionable. He needs a great UD or a KO in his next fight to make people believe in him again.

 

For now I have Goosen only second, but if he can manage to get the rest of Ward's fights in Oakland with the same ref with the same results, I will put him first here and very high on my ounce for ounce list.

 

Abraham is predictable, but I don't see that as much of an advantage for an opponent. Calzaghe was predictable, you knew he would throw slapping punches non stop. Knowing that didn't help his opponents though. With Abraham, everyone knows he will stand there in the early rounds with his turtle shell not doing much and at some point he will explode. That doesn't make it any easier to penetrate his guard, which always forces an opponent who wants to win and not just survive into the danger zone.

Abraham is a technically limited fighter, but with such unique body mechanics for his air tight guard and a chin - power ratio that may be the best in boxing right now that he doesn't need a lot of variety.

 

Abraham
Ward
Kessler
Froch/Dirrell - personally I can't split them.
Taylor

 

How anyone can't have Ward top is beyond me.

1. Ward
2. Abraham
3. Kessler
4. Froch
5. Dirrell
6. Taylor.

The next round, I see it going down this way.

Ward vs Taylor - Ward UD12/Late TKO
Froch vs Kessler - Kessler UD12/Late TKO
Dirrell vs Taylor - Pick Em fight. If Dirrell turns up like he did against Froch, Taylor wins - if Dirrell dares to be great, Dirrell wins.

 

Isn't it Abraham - Dirrell? In your scenario, Taylor fights twice in the next round?

And just because Ward looked great against Kessler, it doesn't mean he wins the tournament. Abraham is my favorite now. Ward and Dirrell won't be able to use their speed and skills from the outside due to Abraham's guard. Getting close is something I believed Kessler could do with Abraham, but now I have a feeling Abraham will win the tournament. I am not sold on it and Ward has a lot going for himself, but Abraham is very different from Kessler.

 

Thats because Abraham has a KO on his resume, and its more points..

Plus, that KO was pretty sick nasty. One of the best this year for sure!

 

Yup, a good one.

 

Ward
Abraham
Dirrell
Kessler
Froch
Taylor