~ SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC - R1 is over as Ward dominates Kessler ~

K-Man · Jul 16, 2009

NOONE who has a title would ever agree to going into an 8-man elimination tournament with the possibility to be out and without his title after a single controversial decision against him. This 6 man round robin has the appeal that win or lose, you get 3 big superfights in a row with a guaranteed payment and world-wide exposure. They also can pull out of the last position and propel to the finals with a big KO win in the last fight if the rest were decisions only. It IS a good tournament, and no, Pavlik is not missed too much in it, other than for seeing him actually FIGHT one of the big fighters in their prime again, without the catchweight parachute.

JoeAverage · Jul 16, 2009

He is right..

In the fights in this tourney, the fighters will get more DEFEATS than they have gotten in their 161 fights throughout their carreers!!! And that is Guaranteed!

They are all six putting it all on the line. Gutsy and great for us - the boxing fans.

BigBone · Jul 17, 2009

Latest photos:

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BigBone · Jul 20, 2009

Sauerland won the Kessler-Perdomo purse bid so the fight will take place according to schedule. The date is September 12 and the venue is either Herning, Denmark, or Flensburg, Germany. Let's just hope Kessler quickly gets the job done and comes out without injuries!

dbouziane · Jul 20, 2009

BigBone said: ↑

Sauerland won the Kessler-Perdomo purse bid so the fight will take place according to schedule. The date is September 12 and the venue is either Herning, Denmark, or Flensburg, Germany. Let's just hope Kessler quickly gets the job done and comes out without injuries!
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good photos above this :good i know these guys are gonna be trying to tear eachother's heads off but its good to see them all really trying to promote the hell outta this thing. i can't ****ing wait!!

BigBone · Jul 21, 2009

Super Six World Boxing Classic Group Stage 1 Dates Set For Oct. 17 And Nov. 21

NEW YORK (July 21, 2009)—SHOWTIME Sports® Super Six World Boxing Classic, the groundbreaking six-man super middleweight tournament announced last week, will debut with two Group Stage 1 matchups on Saturday, Oct. 17, with the third Group Stage 1 bout taking place on Saturday, Nov. 21. All three world-class matches will air on SHOWTIME®. The initial dates in the unprecedented, celebrated tournament were formally announced Tuesday by Ken Hershman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. Venues will be announced soon. The Super Six World Boxing Classic will be contested on both American and European continents..

In a battle of unbeatens on Oct. 17, Carl “The Cobra” Froch (25-0, 20 KOs) of Nottingham, England, will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) title against 2004 Olympic Games medalist Andre “The Matrix’’ Dirrell (18-0, 13 KOs) of Flint, Mich.

On the same night, undefeated former middleweight champion “King” Arthur Abraham (30-0, 24 KOs) of Berlin, Germany, will face former undisputed middleweight titleholder Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor (28-3-1, 17 KOs) of Little Rock, Ark.

The third fight in Group Stage 1 competition will take place on Nov. 21 when Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler (41-1, 31 KOs) of Copenhagen, Denmark, risks his World Boxing Association (WBA) belt* against unbeaten 2004 Olympic Games gold medalist Andre “S.O.G.” Ward (19-0, 12 KOs) of Oakland, Calif.

*Kessler will face WBA mandatory challenger Gusmyl Perdomo (16-2, 10 KOs) on Saturday, Sept. 12 for the title.

The tournament will continue in 2010 with Group Stages 2 and 3 with Semi-Finals and Finals in spring 2011.

For more information on the Super Six World Boxing Classic and all SHOWTIME Sports programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries from boxing, mixed martial arts and INSIDE THE NFL, please visit the website at http://www.sports.sho.com

BigBone · Jul 24, 2009

Nice little article from Rafael's blog:

Birth of a 'Classic'

If you look through Showtime's archive of fights, you'll see that the cable network has televised some of the most significant bouts in super middleweight history.

Showtime was there for the Chris Eubank-Nigel Benn rematch, the tragic Benn-Gerald McClellan fight and many of Joe Calzaghe's bouts, including his unification bout with Jeff Lacy.

More recently, the network aired Arthur Abraham's much-anticipated rematch with Edison Miranda, several bouts involving rising contenders Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell, and Carl Froch's dramatic title-retaining knockout of Jermain Taylor with 14 seconds left in the 12th round in April.

The 168-pound division is deep, and Showtime Sports senior vice president/general manager Ken Hershman found himself spending quite a bit of his resources in the division (Hershman is responsible for deciding what fights to buy).

But the fights he was doing, while usually notable matchups, weren't leading anywhere specific. It was just one fight at a time with little long-range direction.

That all changed with the birth last week of Hershman's brainchild: the Super Six World Boxing Classic. It's a 12-fight tournament that will take about 18 months to complete and includes six top 168-pounders -- Froch, Taylor, Ward, Dirrell, titleholder Mikkel Kessler and Abraham, who vacated his middleweight belt to join the party.

It is arguably the biggest boxing story of 2009.

"The way it sort of evolved is that I looked at strategically where I was going in the division," Hershman said. "You start to think of the dream matchups and I thought Abraham is going to come up. You have Kessler, we'd been doing [fights with] the young guys, Ward and Dirrell, and we had done Froch-Taylor. I started to say, 'Look, I can do this fight or that fight.' Doing them a la carte gets very expensive. I thought this was the one division that could sustain a tournament with them all fighting each other, but the big question was: How do you get it done?"

That's no easy task when you're dealing with six fighters and five promoters from three different countries. The key was when Hershman realized it had to be a round-robin format.

"What dawned on us was that you couldn't do it as single-elimination because then it becomes all about the draw and you'll have battles over every fight and where the fight is. It becomes impossible," Hershman said.

He said the round-robin structure through the preliminary rounds and the fact that each fighter gets to fight in his home territory soothed the promoters, managers and boxers, who all knew they would be guaranteed three fights.

Four of the fighters will get a fourth fight by advancing to the semis, and two will get five high-profile fights on Showtime. They're all for good money. It was a deal that enticed everyone to sign on.

Super middleweight classic

Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE

The gang's (almost) all here: Carl Froch, Mikkel Kessler, Arthur Abraham, Andre Dirrell and Jermain Taylor plan to find out who's the man at 168 pounds.

"By going that way, it made the draw much less contentious," Hershman said. "It took that problem off the table and everyone was comfortable. If you are Ward or Dirrell, you're getting the opportunity to fight these top guys who are far more experienced. Are you that damaged if you don't make it? If you are Jermain, where are you getting three guaranteed fights like these, win, lose or draw? And for Froch, Abraham and Kessler? They want the American exposure and the opportunity to fight top competition. They'll get it."

The first nine fights will be in the round-robin format, with the top four advancing to the semifinals on a points system (two points for a win, a bonus point for a knockout and one point for a draw).

The tournament opens Oct. 17 with Froch (25-0, 20 KOs) defending his belt against Dirrell (18-0, 13 KOs) in Froch's native England, while Taylor (28-3-1, 17 KOs) travels to Germany to face Abraham (30-0, 24 KOs). The next fight is Nov. 21 when Denmark's Kessler (41-1, 31 KOs) heads to the United States to defend against Andre Ward (19-0, 12 KOs), probably in Ward's hometown of Oakland, Calif.

The rest of the preliminary round bouts -- Abraham-Dirrell, Froch-Kessler, Ward-Taylor, Ward-Dirrell, Froch-Abraham and Kessler-Taylor -- will be fought throughout 2010, with the semifinals scheduled for early 2011 and the final for May or June 2011.

Hershman came up with the idea and mentioned it to Kalle Sauerland of Sauerland Event, the German company that promotes Abraham and recently signed Kessler. When it became more serious, Hershman went to Germany in mid-May to secretly meet with Sauerland and company general manager Chris Meyer.

"We spent 10 hours in a conference room at a hotel going over structure after structure of a tournament," he said. "We weren't negotiating a deal. We were toying with a deal, but we were really trying to come up with the format. I came back and met with some of the U.S. guys I have relationships with and we honed it some more. From mid-May until it was announced, it's been 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

The result was a kickoff news conference last week in New York followed by a press tour to Copenhagen and Berlin that took it from concept to reality for Hershman.

"I have been involved with some of the most major and historic events in the sport, including the legendary Corrales-Castillo fight, which in my opinion is the best fight in history, the Tyson-Holyfield ear-biting incident and the Tyson-Lewis fight," Hershman said. "But never have I been more proud than I am of this tournament or prouder of the work we have done. Getting five promoters together is a herculean task in itself -- plus six of the best fighters in the division. That is a staggering accomplishment."

Meyer said the face-to-face meeting was critical.

"I think the benefit from this brainstorming came from the fact that we had never really dealt directly with each other, so that we could speak freely," Meyer said. "We talked through so many scenarios and possibilities that apparently Ken clearly shaped up the picture in his mind where the Super Six has now landed. This idea was apparently so convincing that all the other promoters picked this up, agreed to participate and helped get this idea developed into a fantastic tournament."

Hershman is no novice in fight negotiating. He understands there will inevitably be problems during the tournament, be it injury, weight issues or any number of other obstacles. That's why the contracts are detailed and cover a variety of scenarios. If somebody does fall out, Hershman is prepared.

"There's always somebody who he will be left behind and over 18 months we will need a substitute," he said. "It's inevitable. It speaks to the depth of the division that there are fighters we could still have in the tournament."

He said titleholder Lucian Bute of Canada and American Allan Green, neither of whom was invited to participate, are on the top of his list if there is an opening. They weren't invited, Hershman said, because "as an eight-man tournament it just became too drawn out, too expensive and added another layer of fights. We needed to stay with six people in order to get this done."

While he has sewn up the tournament, Hershman wants to assure fight fans that he'll still be buying other top fights.

"This tournament is a significant investment, but it's going to be great," he said. "And I still have money to program the rest of the fights on 'Showtime Championship Boxing' and continue with our ShoBox brand."

The fighters are enthusiastic.

"This is what boxing is supposed to be about, with the best fighting the best," Froch said. "It forces the best fighters in the division to all face each other."

Said Kessler: "[It's] fantastic. Boxing needs something like that and it will be a huge success."

And Abraham: "This spectacular tournament will answer the one question everybody has been asking -- who is the best fighter in this division?"

"It's good for boxing and the fans," said Taylor.
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sdsfinest22 · Jul 24, 2009

Kessler prolly gonna take this!

BigBone · Aug 5, 2009

A few updates

- Palle suing Kessler, Sauerland, Showtime

"I’ve been biting my tongue for too long and now I want to set the record straight about Kessler, about the pirate promoter Sauerland Event and the pirate cable TV network Showtime. I am sueing or will sue Kessler, Sauerland and Showtime. I will pursue my breach of contract and other legal claims against all of these parties and some others who have interfered with my existing and ongoing exclusive promotional contact with the WBA super middleweight champion..."

- Showtime to air Kessler-Perdomo, Ward-Pudwill on September 12

Both Andre Ward's tune-up and Mikkel Kessler's mandatory fight vs. Gusmyl Perdomo will be broadcasted on Showtime

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- The tournament officially starts on October 17

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VARG · Aug 5, 2009

I know what I picked before, but Im having second thoughts.

In Abraham's last fight he looked incredibly shitty against a marginal opponent and it became HEAVILY apparent that a fighter with a great jab can keep Abraham at bay. He fights in spurts and his activity is too low.

Taylor lost to fighters who never stopped punching. Very active and heavy handed fighters. Abraham is heavy handed...but not active enough.

I think Taylor wins a UD very easily.

Haven't seen much of Dirrell lately but from what I have seen he tends to slow down in the later rounds and hasn't really been tested and what I have seen Im not too impressed with.

Froch has fought some impressive boxer types and walked their asses down. Had this been Ward vs. Froch, I'd have absolute confidence in saying SOG takes it...but Dirrell cant match that skill. Froch walks this dude down.

I think Froch takes it to a stoppage in the later rounds.

The last fight is the one Im having the hardest time picking. Kessler is a smart fighter who can make adjustments rather quickly and punches like a ****in' mule. He's got a sturdy ass chin, but can sometimes have a low activity rate. He's pretty explosive and put Cal-bitchass on ***** street.

But watching Ward completely handle everything Miranda brought to the table showed me that he doesnt need to KO his opponent to win. He can potshot or simply outlast you in the full 12. But Im not completely sold on his chin yet. Its sturdy, but Im not sure how many flush shots this dude can take. Kessler is pretty fluid puncher.

Im going with Kessler TKO 10 - 12. (Otherwise its Ward UD...its on HIS home turf )

BigBone · Sep 4, 2009

Cool new promo!

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And a recent article on one of the participants:

Arthur Abraham: "Biggest Challenge Of My Life" - Coach Wegner: “Taylor Better Watch Out”

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BERLIN (September 3, 2009)— photos by Photo Wende - King Arthur Abraham presented his new “fortress” to the German media today as he welcomed dozens of reporters to a packed press conference at the o2 World in Berlin, Germany´s most modern arena. The 29-year-old, who is unbeaten in 30 fights (24 KOs), will take on Jermain Taylor (28-3, 17 KOs) in the opening clash of the hotly-anticipated Super Six World Boxing Classic on Saturday, October 17, on SHOWTIME® (8 p.m. ET/PT). “For me two dreams are coming true at the same time,” King Arthur said. “Participating in the Super Six tournament is very special. It is the best against the best. And I always wanted to fight in front of a sell-out crowd of 12,000 fans at the o2 World in Berlin. I cannot wait to get in the ring with Jermain Taylor. I will not disappoint my fans. October 17 will be a night to remember.”

Six weeks before the start of the tournament, the German press is already debating the outcome of the Super Six World Boxing Classic, a competition they have dubbed “The Champions League of Boxing”. “The tournament is a present to the fans,” said Kalle Sauerland.. “Abraham and Taylor are going to open the Super Six in style. I have no doubts that at the end of a memorable night, King Arthur will be leaving the ring as the winner. We could not have staged the first fight at a better venue than the o2 World, Germany´s top event arena.”

King Arthur has been working hard in practice with his coach Ulli Wegner, who certainly fancies his fighter’s chances in the tournament. “This is something special for Arthur,” he said. “He is facing the world’s best fighters. For me, he is the favorite, but I have been reading a lot of stuff about him being smaller and thinner than his opponents. That does not matter inside the ring. Once Arthur has hit them, they will all have problems. Taylor better watch out. He is a great champion and a superb boxer, but Arthur will take care of business against him. The first fight is crucial to win. If Arthur succeeds, he can go a long, long way from there.”

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With Jermain Taylor and his promoter Lou DiBella unable to join the press conference, they sent along audio messages to be played for the German press. “I am really looking forward to this fight,” Taylor said. “Arthur is working hard in camp but I am working harder. I am the better boxer so I am not worried to go to his hometown and fight him in front of his fans in Berlin. I will dictate every round.” And DiBella added: “We are making history with this tournament, and on October 17, Jermain Taylor is going to solidify his place as one of the greatest super-middleweights in the world by defeating undefeated middleweight champion Arthur Abraham in his adopted hometown of Berlin in front of a crazy audience that is going to be 100 percent pro Abraham. Jermain is going to defeat their local hero.”

Chris Meyer, General Manager of Sauerland Event, holds a different view. “Jermain Taylor is a great fighter, a living legend. But with the support of a ferocious sell-out crowd, King Arthur is going to notch the first victory in what will be an exciting tournament. We are happy to have two fighters in this glamorous and competitive tournament field. We hope that King Arthur will meet Mikkel Kessler in the final.”

Kessler, who makes a mandatory defence of his WBA Super-Middleweight Title on September 12, at MCH Herning (live on SHOWTIME), is slated to face Olympic gold medal winner Andre Ward on November 21. Also on October 17, WBC Super-Middleweight Champion Carl Froch will take on gifted US talent Andre Dirrell in Nottingham.

Abraham-Taylor is promoted by Sauerland Event and DiBella Entertainment. Tickets start at €15 ($22) and will go on sale on Monday. They can be purchased at www.o2world.de. “We expect a sell-out crowd,” said Detlef Kornett, Managing Director of the o2 World. “This will mark the beginning of many big fights with King Arthur at the o2 World.”

The Super Six World Boxing Classic is being presented by SHOWTIME Sports in association with Sauerland Event, Gary Shaw Productions, Hennessy Sports, DiBella Entertainment and Goossen Tutor Promotions.

For information on all SHOWTIME Sports telecasts, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries from its events and complete information on the Super Six World Boxing Classic, please visit the website at http://www.sports.sho.com

DemolitionDan · Sep 4, 2009

I've got Abraham knocking out Taylor late, Froch winning a wide UD over Dirrell, and Ward winning by a very close UD over Kessler.

Axe · Sep 4, 2009

CASH_718 said: ↑

Abraham late TKO
Froch mid to late TKO while down on the cards
Ward with the pretty big upset decision over the rusty Kessler
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No excuses please, Kessler is getting a tune-up in there.

David Fanning · Sep 4, 2009

Ward's performance against Miranda would have to be Ward's best fight so far, simply because it is the most relevant. Well, that and the fact that he completely dominated this chump. I was at that fight, as well as several other Ward fights. I'm starting to wonder if anybody else caught Ward vs. Miranda. Is Showtime unavailable in Europe? Were the 2004 Olympics unavailable in Europe? I've seen Ward spar in the gym several times. Believe me, as nice as that victory over Miranda was, it was a letdown by Ward's standards. You folks are going to be shocked when he outclasses each and every opponent in this tournament.

JonOli · Sep 4, 2009

Taylor, Froch, Kessler

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