Over the days leading up to the match, I'll be tallying the opinion of boxing writers (and influential figures in boxing) on the Carl Froch v. Andre Dirrell fight and unlike our poll at Saddoboxing and the betting websites, as of today, the boxing writers favor Dirrell.
Caveat on the writers: not all of these writers are noteworthy, but they've all been published if only on blogs or boxing sites.
RingTV, Doug Fischer picks Dirrell:
"Dirrell has the athletic abiity, speed, reflexes and mobility to evade and pot-shot, stick-and-move on Froch. Froch is as tough as they come and is a come-forward fighter who wears guys down."
Ring Magazine, Joe Santoliquito picks Froch:
"I'm tired of doubting Froch. He made a believer out of me by dismantling Taylor the way he did, and this fight is taking place in Nottingham, England -- Froch land. Froch wins by decision."
New York Daily News, Tim Witherspoon picks Dirrell:
"I don't underestimate Carl Froch, but let's face it, Jermain Taylor was beating him from post to post until he ran out of gas. I don't think that's going to happen to Dirrell, who should win a decision against the sturdy Froch."
Historian, Bert Sugar picks Dirrell:
"Froch is a good fighter, but I believe that Andre Dirrell's skills and speed will simply be too much for him."
Yahoo Sports, Kevin Iole picks Froch:
"I like Dirrell a lot as a fighter, but he gets a big, strong hungry man fighting at home in his first major step up."
ESPN, Kevin Mulvaney picks Dirrell:
"Man, I have a hard time picking this fight. Dirrell is quicker, more skilled, and he can crack too. I could see him just landing blazing combinations on Froch all night long."
Showtime, Steve Farhood picks Dirrell:
"If Dirrell can stay off the ropes -- a big if -- then he can control the pace. We don't know yet how good Dirrell can be, but I'm betting he rises to the occasion.
Whether he can win a decision over an Englishman in Nottingham is, of course, problematic. With that said, I think he can squeeze one out."
From the Bragging Rights Corner, Kenny Perrault and Danny Howard (2nd Quote below) pick Dirrell:
October 17th, Trent FM Arena , Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom (Showtime)
"Carl Froch 25-0 (20 KOs) and Andre Dirrell 18-0 (13 KOs) get the much anticipated Super Middleweight tournament started. This tournament has created a lot of excitement in the boxing world and it finally gets under way with an exciting bout. Prediction: The southpaw Dirrell is simply going to be to slick for Froch and win a unanimous decision."
"So even though Froch is a tough customer, he is almost certainly going to fall behind on the cards very quickly and Dirrell is going to grind him down along the way. I don't expect Dirrell to make the mistakes Taylor did against Froch, but simply to follow the game plan better. Froch's lack of defense and his constant pressure will make this an exciting fight, but it's going to be Dirrell's time in England where I believe he will get a fair shake."
From the Sweet Science, Michael Woods picks Froch:
"Can he break through into the upper class of the division against a man who has had to dig deeper as a pro, and succeeded in that regard? Against a man with legitimately heavy hands? TSS-EM leans toward Froch, believing that Dirrell would have to fight 12 rounds of super slick pugilism, virtually mistake free, and thinks that is asking too much in his 19th fight as a pro."
From Boxing News24, Scott Gilfoid picks Dirrell:
"It’s a going to be a slaughter of epic proportions. Seriously, Froch is in way over his head in this fight and the way he got dominated by Taylor early on will look like child’s play after Dirrell gets through with him."
From Eastsideboxing, James Slater picks Froch:
"Take it for what it's worth, but I predict Froch will come out firing, back Dirrell up and get him out of there, in seemingly easy fashion, inside the first eight rounds."
From ESPN.com, Dan Rafael picks Dirrell:
"Froch will open the Showtime tournament in his home city of Nottingham, England, with a very tough assignment against 2004 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist Andre Dirrell, who has way more speed and skill than Froch" and "but I like Dirrell in the mild upset."
From the Boxing Bulletin, Mark Lyons picks Froch:
"My take is Froch adjusts to the speed after a few rounds and begins to break Dre down before stopping him late."
From Eastside Boxing, Eric Shaffer picks Dirrell:
"In a fight where fire works are expected I will pick the fighter I think has the better defence."
As of now, I have 5 picks for Froch and 10 for Dirrell. I'm still waiting on Graham Houston.
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