The Super Six World Boxing Classic: moving forward

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2010/09/dirrell-says-ward-fight-is-just-postponed-not-off/

"For boxing fans wondering about whether Andre Ward (22-0, 13 KO’s) and Andre Dirrell (19-1, 13 Ko’s) were going to be dropping out of the Super Six tournament - Dirrell, 26, had this to say in response to Dan Rafael on his Twitter page, “Just postponed as I know, not off.” Dirrell, of course, is talking about his scheduled September 25th Super Six tournament bout against Ward, a fight which they still don’t have a venue for after all this time. The venue has been the main sticking point in arranging the fight."

 

Scene:

"Super middleweight Andre Dirrell says there is "no truth at all" in the rumors being spread that he's attempting to withdraw from his Super Six bout with WBA champion Andre Ward. They are set to meet in the third stage of Showtime's Super Six tournament. The date was set for September 25 but without a location or an agreement between the two sides for a venue, the fight "is being postponed," says Dirrell.

Both Dirrell and Ward knew they would face each other in the third stage of the Super Six when Showtime drafted the tournament plans in 2009. When the story broke on Showtime's Super Six tournament on July 3, 2009 - this very website had the entire schedule to the Super Six, including the Ward vs. Dirrell bout which was set, even back then, for September 2010.

Both fighters signed Super Six contracts knowing they would face each other in the third stage. They accepted high purses for their previous fights in the Super Six, with the knowledge they would fight in the third stage. It's very unlikely that either boxer will attempt to withdraw from their scheduled fight, because Showtime would have an easy time proving their case when a lawsuit is filed for damages."

 

Courtesy of fanhouse:

"Promoters Gary Shaw and Dan Goossen have been mailed "legal letters" from Showtime representatives advising them that a scheduled Sept. 25 bout between WBA super middleweight (168 pounds) titlist Andre Ward (pictured above) and challenger Andre Dirrell must come off on the original date, or else in early October, with a lawsuit being the potential threat if it does not.

Part of the third stage of the Showtime Super Six Super Midddleweight Boxing Classic, the match up between Ward (22-0, 13 knockouts) and the switch-hitting Dirrell (19-1, 13 KOs) still does not have a site determined, Shaw told FanHouse on Sunday.

The letters notified Shaw, who promotes Dirrell, and Goossen, who promotes Ward, that they "would be in breach of contract" if the fight is not made for Sept. 25 or early October. Goossen could not immediately be reached for comment. Dirrell has said that the fight "is being postponed," but Shaw said that he is unaware of that being the case. Shaw did say, however, that he has no negotiation completed with Goossen, nor has a site been determined for the bout."

 

"Although the format of Showtime's remaining Super Six World Boxing Classic bouts remains in limbo due to the sudden withdrawal of super middleweight titlist Mikkel Kessler due to an eye injury on Aug. 25, there were two significant decisions made Monday as it relates to the stakes.
The WBC, which has supported the six-man tournament from the outset, announced that it has stripped the injured Kessler of his 168-pound belt and named him the organization's "champion emeritus." That means when Kessler, who is expected to be sidelined for about nine months, returns the WBC will allow him to immediately challenge for the title.
Further, the WBC said it voted unanimously to fill the vacancy with the winner of the bout between Andre Ward, who holds the WBA's title, and Andre Dirrell, who is the WBC's No. 1 contender.
The WBC also sanctioned the Oct. 2 Super Six bout between former titlist Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham as a final title eliminator, which means the winner of Ward-Dirrell will be mandated to face the Froch-Abraham winner next."


- DR




This is an interesting move; very well handled by the WBC IMO.