So my man Carl Froch is back in action against Andre Dirrell in the 168 tournament. I think the tournament is a really good idea as its going to sort out who really is the man at 168. The fact the weight class is very deep shows that this tournament could go anyway and im very excited to watch it.
Carls first match up is against Dirrell, a very talented fighter and I am looking forward to see what hes got to bring to the table. Hes got power, speed and good handspeed which is a good asset to bring against Carl Froch. We have seen in the early JT fight that he struggled with hand speed. Dirrell I think will be very up for the fight as its his first crack at the title and a real chance for him to shine into a US star.
The thing im worried about for him is that the pressure is on right from the start. Hes going to Nottingham to fight Carl whos at the stage of his career now that if he loses then hes not going to get another chance. Carl knows for a fact that if he wins this fight by knockout hes going into the Kessler fight more than likely leading the tournament and I actually think the Kessler-Froch fight is the biggest match up in the tournament. Carl knows that if he doesnt get by Dirrel then the fight with Kessler will really be difficult because im backing Kessler to take Ward on points.
Carl in his last two fights has came from a losing strategy to a winning strategy to shine in the later rounds. He uses a pressure type boxing style which is unusual at 168, but its been working well at the world level. I think Dirrel in terms of skill wont be much more than JT, hes hungry no doubt but hes never came up against anybody as good or as powerful as Carl Froch and I really think Carls going to stop him late in the fight. I think the crowd and Carl really coming on in the later rounds with a lack of world level experience for Dirrel will be too much for the prospect. I think if he can keep his nerves early he may get some rounds, but Carls experience against JT would have done a lot for him IMO and I think he can work that into a lot of fights at 168 and win.
I think Dirrell is in too deep with Carl at this stage of his career because Carl knows that a win against Dirrell will set him up great for a Kessler showdown, which has been one of the most talked about fights at 168 since Carl became champion. I think Carl will stop him late in another great fight and Dirrell wont shame himself but will have to pick himself back up in the next round. Hes a good prospect, but Carls going to take this one
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