Rate The Super Six One thru Six

You mean upright or prone? No?

 

Kessler
Taylor
Froch
Abraham
Ward
Dirrell

 

I think absolutely VERY difficult to rate, so many different boxing styles but mine are.
1.Kessler
2.Direll
3.Abraham
4.Froch
5.Jtaylor
6.Ward
I know Direll in my rankings is quite high, but I honestly think he is going to surprise many.

 

Here's my rankings:

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

 

Going by the criteria you laid out boo...

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

Going on the level I feel they are at right now in their careers tho, or more accurately how they will rank after the tourney?

1a- Ward
1b- Kessler
3- Froch
4- Dirrell
5- Abraham
6- Taylor

Before people ask why in the world I put Ward on top...I think he matches up with Kessler extremely well. Everything that has bothered Mikkel in the past, Ward holds as a clear advantage in this fight. Hand speed, foot speed, lateral movement, awkwardness, athleticism, etc. I think people are far underestimating the kid in this tourney. I got him taking a close UD against Kessler. And I dont think there is another fighter in the tourney who can beat him...he does too many things extremely well...and he is still improving.

Saying all of that...the SMW who takes this thing is the clear #1. Hense why I got Ward on top.

Funny thing is tho, if Kessler wins a close one (something I definately have not dismissed...as its a definate possibility. Like I said, CLOSE UD) vs Andre...I feel the same about him. Noone else is going to beat him. Winner of that fight is going to be the clear favorite...and clearly the top guy coming out of this.

 

interesting .. I recall saying this a page or so back, but the big bolded is what I see giving Kessler troubles

as Ward is a very unique talent and Mikkel hasn't fought too many fighters in his career who are quick footed with good handspeed + movement and awkward

likewise the same goes regarding Froch vs Dirrell. if Andre's power can get to Froch, he could cruise to a UD or late stoppage.

how do you feel about Froch-Dirrell?

 

I see only two possible outcomes.

Dirrell takes an early lead on the cards, as he is the clear better boxer. His movement, hand speed and just general boxing ability is above Froch. But, he has also been known to coast in fights due to conditioning problems and has been hurt by fighters who are far lesser punchers and are much less relentless in their attack than Froch is. And stamina issues and an unproven chin vs a heavy hitter with great conditioning can be poison. I see Froch stopping him mid-late...while he is down clearly on the cards.

All of that said, if Andre can reach the final bell...he wins a clear UD. I just think the first one is much more likely going off of what each has done in the past.

(Ironically, I feel this exact same way about Taylor - Abraham. Arthur simply cannot outbox Jermain...BUT, I also dont feel Taylor can outlast Abraham either)

 

Taylor won't press if he doesn't have to. Proven it before. Abraham is used to having the belt and making people come to him. Look for the proverbial Mexican standoff and a potential real snoozer. Could happen.

 

Like I said about Dirrell - Froch. If Jermain is standing when the final bell rings, he wins a clear UD. If I had to bet on it...I wouldnt tho.

 

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

 

:good

 

Very true about the prospect thing...but I feel Ward is above that level now. I think he is one of the more complete fighters in and around his division. And going on that, stylistically, he is what we have seen Kessler struggle with in the past.

Let me take a stab at trying to break it down...

Im not comparing Ward to Calzaghe (insanity if I did at this point), but Joe was able to get Kessler out of his comfort zone by using his lateral movement to keep Mikkel from setting his feet (and being so technically sound, when forced out of his comfort zone, Kessler is NOT the same fighter, nor is he nearly as good)...then he would use his athleticism and quicker feet to get in close fast enough to score, but not long enough to allow Kessler to get his offense off with any long standing effectiveness. On top of that, Kessler has looked slower than before in recent fights vs much, MUCH lesser competition...and Ward has extremely fast hands. And seeing as how that comp has been that low, these weaknesses arent something that are just going to "work themselves out" in the gym...until you prove it against top fighters, they will always be just that...weaknesses.

Andre is also a very intelligent fighter...someone who, with his very good corner has to have seen this. I expect this to be their gameplan come fight night.

Another factor is, with Kessler being ambidextrious, its something that has always been in his favor of being able to get his offense off easier than most (very hard to turn someone defensively thats equally as good with both hands, which was why Calzaghe's lateral movement was so key), but in Ward, he is fighting someone who is also in that mold...and as Al Bernstein said recently Andre is someone who "switches between right and left faster and more effectively than anyone he has ever seen".

Again, I think Ward will win this one...but it will be close. And Im not crazy enough to think that a Kessler win is out of the question either. I just think if we look at it stylistically, Ward holds more advatages to weaknesses to ignore.

Dirrell on the other hand? The book is still out on him, but since we can only go on what we have seen...his skillset is just the one you would want to fight a Froch type fighter. Very fast, moves very well, puts punches together well, great jab, good accuracy, decent power...but his deficiancies that he has shown are also the EXACT opposite of what you would want against a fighter like Froch. Tires quickly, takes rounds off, likes to languish up against the ropes when he gets comfortable, has been hurt by lighter punchers...ask Jermain Taylor if these are things you want to have going against you vs The Cobra? LOL!

So again...I see Ward - Kessler being close. I slightly favor Andre going on styles. The winner of this fight in my eyes is going to win the tourney as well. I also think Froch is going to stop Dirrell once he starts to tire...in all probability while he is down on the cards. Both will be great fights to watch tho.

:thumbsup