What if Taylor beats Abraham decisively?

I just don't understand how Ward and Dirrell got into this mix? Froch, Kessler, even AA (though he's just moving up), and Taylor (though he's lost 3 of last 4)...But these are proven big dogs, how in the hell do the Andre's fit into this bunch, other than the fact they fought on Showtime?

Dirrell, my most vivid memory of him is running like Usain Bolt from Stephens for the ENTIRE fight. I saw Ward hold Miranda damn near to death, but other than that, how do they fit into a "Super" bunch?

:huhNo disrepect to the REAL Ward and Dirrell fans, just have to admit they are still prospects, while the others have proven some **** at World Championship Level.

Again, no disrepect to the "Andre's" fans, but are they just there for cannon fodder for the Fave's to blow out in the early rounds and get the Big Points for KO?

 

I like Taylor but he is damaged goods and never has that high gear or a fight plan.

 

Even without the result yet . . . it's a fact that Abraham is still unproven at SM . . . even after a victory over Taylor.

Taylor is not an established name at SM either . . . so what does that give Abraham after beating him?

 

It would just mean that Froch was a few seconds away from being beaten decisively...

 

then i will have been right in my prediction. go JT!

 

Sauerland will have a heart attack but will also make sure to hang the judges before he passes away....

 

Every fighter in this tournament is there for a reason.

Froch: Holds two good wins, but still trying to establish his legitimacy.

Kessler: Trying to come back from long term promotional problems.

Taylor: Trying to make a real come back after a string of losses.

Abraham: Elvin Ayala, LuJaun Simon, and Mahir Oral ain't exactly world class. AA has a lot to prove.

Ward and Dirrell are both trying to become contenders instead of prospects.

I love this tournament, but every fighter in it is there because he is either less than established, or trying to prove he's not shot.

 

Dirrell is the biggest question mark. He really hasn't beaten anybody, Oganov is probably his best win. And he does have the reputation of a track star, a negative, boring fighter to some. He does bring a different style to the table though, there are a lot of gunslingers he will have to defuse. It does some kind of odd...Oganov/Kessler/Abraham/Froch :huh

Ward I think deserves his place. He beat Miranda pretty good. Question marks over his power at 168 considering Pavlik beat the **** out of him and Abraham KO'd him with a few punches, but in a way Ward was never troubled by Miranda at any point which told me something about his skills. Abraham had to soak a lot up, Pavlik exchanged some blows with Miranda, Ward straight up took him to school. Maybe he's damaged goods, but he still did well to completely shut Miranda out of the fight IMO.

I have a feeling both will prove competent adversaries. I'm actually quite worried about Ward first up, that is like a shot to nothing for a talented fighter in Ward where my man is expected to win and there is no pressure on him. I'd rather Kessler was facing Abraham or Froch to tell the truth, not this quick skilled guy.

 

I don't get your recognition towards Ward:huh, in all honesty, Ward hugged and grabbed Miranda to a victory, NOT IMPRESSED, at all, just my opinion and I think he will be exploited by the fighters he will face. He is very athletic, that is obvious but this is going to be a huge step up for him.
Just my 2 cents, hopefully he proves his doubters wrong.

 

Kessler/Ward:yikes

In my opinion it's damn near criminal. This is a classic case of to much to soon.

 

Sauerland sold Kessler in order to get Abraham home advantage.

Ward's people worked hard to get Ward home advantage and they clearly fancy their fighters chances.

 

Maybe its just me being illogical and worrying unduely, but I honestly sooner would see my guy fighting one of the Europeans as opposed to Ward.

He hugged, so what, that doesn't make him an easier task. It just means he's got some generalship, he isn't going to make it simple to get to him on the inside, and on the outside he's got a lot of handspeed, a lot of different angles. It gets him back to where he needs to be.

I think my guy struggles more with speed and athleticism, different angles. See Calzaghe, and on a lesser level Mundine won a few rounds purely on handspeed. That makes me think Kessler is in for a tough night, particularly if he doesn't get many rounds in against Perdomo and turns up lacking sharpness.

Abraham and Froch don't worry me. One guy standing there in a shell, what is that going to do when Kessler is pumping a jab in his face and winning all the rounds? The occasional punch might catch Ayala, Miranda or Gevor and save his ass but not against a shrewd operator. And Froch..well...less said about his skills the better. Andrade all over again.

 

mundine had kessler in trouble a couple times in that bout. but I think he is too strong for ward. I totally disagree with your take on AA and Froch. I think both of those guys breakdown kessler with their power.

 

Mundine never had Kessler in any trouble, he didn't punch hard enough. He fought well, I gave him 3 rounds, which is perhaps 3 rounds more than anybody else prior to Calzaghe managed!

 

Froch wasn't being decisively beaten by taylor. He was a couple of points down after basically bricking himself in the first half of the fight.

Froch was very, very nervous as an amateur, and we saw that return in the Taylor fight. He came back well in the second half of the Taylor fight. If he can get over his nerves, he has a shot at winning this tournament, though Ward remains my bet.

Froch has more skill than he's given credit for (remember, he was a world bronze medallist, and I think I'm right in saying that he wasn't considered a massive puncher as an am).

I would argue he is one of the more accurate punchers amongst the world class - he has to be due to his lack of speed.