Froch v Abraham October 2nd in Monaco...

[skel1983]

Pivotal Group Stage 3 Bout Lands On Neutral Ground
In Coastal Principality Bordering France

NEW YORK (July 15, 2010)–Following weeks of intense negotiations, SHOWTIME Sports® is proud to announce that Hennessy Sports and Sauerland Event—the promotional outlets for world-class super middleweight boxers Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham—have agreed to a location for their fighters’ crucial Super Six World Boxing Classic bout.

On Saturday, Oct. 2, in the capital city/state of Monaco, Abraham and Froch will meet at the Chapiteau de l’Espace Fontvieille for their pivotal Group Stage 3 match up in the boxing tournament that has ignited the industry. The bout will be televised on SHOWTIME® at 9 p.m. ET/PT (same day delay).

Hennessy Sports and Sauerland Event are currently working with Principality officials in Monaco to finalize all the necessary authorizations for this event as they expect it to be one of the biggest fights in the history of the region. The Principality of Monaco is situated on the Mediterranean Sea in the south west area of Europe, some 1,400 km from Abraham’s home in Berlin and over 1,000 km from Froch’s native Nottingham, England.

"The intensity of the selection process for this venue speaks to the enormity of the moment created by the Super Six World Boxing Classic," said Ken Hershman, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. "All the fighters in the tournament have set out to prove that they are the world’s best at 168-pounds by fighting their peers—the most dangerous men in the division—fight after fight. Any perceived advantage or disadvantage has been calculated.
"To the credit of all involved, each hurdle has been cleared and the Super Six World Boxing Classic now marches on toward a thrilling conclusion."

This bout is the last of the Super Six Group Stage matches. Following Abraham vs. Froch, the four fighters with the highest point totals on the Super Six scoreboard will advance to the semi-finals, tentatively slated for the first quarter 2011.

Froch (26-1, 20 KOs) is coming off a hard-fought unanimous decision loss, the first of his career, to Mikkel Kessler on April 24. That night, during the post-fight press conference, Wilfried, andhis son Kalle Sauerland and Mick Hennessy began publicly disputing the venue selection for the Abraham vs. Froch contest. At the time, Abraham (31-1, 25 KOs) held the tournament lead with three points by virtue of his KO win over Jermain Taylor in Group Stage 1, but was out boxed and ultimately disqualified in his Group Stage 2 bout versus Andre Dirrell for the first loss of his career. Froch remains tied at the moment with Kessler and Dirrell at two points.

"I cannot wait to get back in the ring," said Abraham. "I am thrilled that the date and the venue have been set. I must admit that the disqualification against Dirrell still haunts me. Only a victory over Froch can put my mind at rest. I was ringside when he fought against Kessler and I must say I was impressed with both men. They really fought their hearts out. Froch is a hell of a fighter, but so am I. This will be the biggest, the most important fight of my career, and I will put on a special performance to please the boxing fans in Monaco, France, Germany, England, America and all over the world."


"I'm training hard already for 'King' Arthur," said Froch from his training centre in Sheffield. "I respect what the man brings to the table, but I'm going out there to knock Abraham's crown right into Kalle's lap," he added in response to Sauerland’s bold predictions on the outcome of this fight.

"Make no mistake about it, I fully appreciate the threat that Abraham presents to me in this fight. Whenever two warriors go into battle there will be bloodshed. But there will be only one victor in Monaco and that will be The Cobra," Froch concluded.


The Sauerlands arefilled with anticipation. "The Super Six tournament has been outstanding thus far," said Kalle. "We’ve had so much drama and so many high-class fights. Kessler versus Froch was as good as it gets but believe me, Abraham-Froch will be even better. It’s win or go home! I honestly can’t see this going the distance. I have a lot of respect for Froch as a fighter but I think that his style is tailor-made for Abraham. The King will knock The Cobra out – no doubt about that. The only question is in which round."

Hennessy also expects a toe-to-toe war and believes the Englishman will come out victorious inside the distance "This is a mouth-watering match up against two of the best and toughest fighters in the game," Hennessy said. "If you thought Carl’s last fight against Kessler was epic just wait for Froch vs. Abraham. This has all of the ingredients to be the fight of the decade.

"I have a lot of respect for Arthur in and outside of the ring, but unfortunately on the 2nd October he will come up against a highly driven and fully motivated Carl Froch. When Carl’s is in that sort of mode he will prove he is the best of the best and will secure three points for a knockout win, showing the world once again that he is a very special fighter."

The Super Six World Boxing Classic continues on Saturday, Sept. 25, when SHOWTIME will present a world championship doubleheader to kick off Group Stage 3—the final Group Stage of the round-robin portion of the tournament. First, Kessler will look to lock up a semi-final berth with a win over Allan Green. Kessler is making the first defense of his second world title, the WBC 168-pound strap he wrested from Carl Froch. Green is desperate for a win to have a shot at the semi finals. He may need a knockout and/or help from his fellow competitors to earn one of the four spots.
Immediately following, live on SHOWTIME, Andre Ward will face 2004 U.S. Olympic teammate and friend Andre Dirrell in what promises to be a dramatic affair. Ward has already locked up his semi-final berth as the only contestant to win both of his initial Group Stage matches. But, make no mistake, Ward promises a fierce defense of his WBA world championship belt and undefeated professional record. Dirrell, on the other hand, needs a win to guarantee his place in the semis. Conceivably, Dirrell could get in with two points but he would need help from Green and/or Abraham.

[BIG H]

Really hard one to pick for me.

[HattonTheHammer]

abraham outside of germany is completely screwed in this one.

froch can adapt to different fights, abraham cannot......froch either by unanimous decision or late stoppage

[porkypara]

I would not be supprised if Froch won by late stoppage.

Abraham is not that difficult to hit as a fight goes on.

Which airline flys to Monaco

[El Kabong]

Really hard one to pick for me.

Why? Abraham will win EASY, KO/TKO in the mid late rounds.

Abraham had trouble with Dirrell, a slick, quick moving, ambidextrous boxer with quick hands...Froch is none of those things. Froch isn't all that fast, he's not hard to hit, but he does have a good chin and solid power. I do think Froch can be picked apart by counters and eventually those will wear him down and stop him.

[Mar]

In england, africa, or hell even in froch's living room, i see no way he beats abraham. He's too slow to do what direll did, leaves his hands down way too much. Abraham will be back to his old ways. Blocking countering and simply wearing down froch for a mid/late stoppage.

[Phil]

Abraham by ko rd 8-10

Im liking the fact the fight is in a neutral venue, I know it doesnt make the best sense financially wise
but it takes away all the bullshit home town decisions. Be nice to see a few Americans v Europeans in a nice neutral venue... say Ireland

[GAME]

I thought the venue would decide the outcome but on neutral ground it will be down to the best man wins which is something we havent seen in the super 6 so far.

I see it unfolding with Abraham doing what he always does - next to nothing for 5 rounds but inching forward and blocking shots. Carl wont be going to war either he will be saving some for the late rounds so he will be happy to put rounds in the bag by circling jabbing and boxing like he did vs Kessler. Once Abraham gets started in the 2nd half I see his better defence and extra power being the big factor. Carl will walk on to too many and take a beating. The big question is can Carl hold on the hear the final bell. He will try his hardest to especially if he is ahead on the cards. He didnt inject enough pace when he needed to vs Kess but I think he will be fighting for his career in this one and will dig alot deeper. Whether its points or late stoppage I think Abraham just edges it in a classic fight.

[ross]

In england, africa, or hell even in froch's living room, i see no way he beats abraham. He's too slow to do what direll did, leaves his hands down way too much. Abraham will be back to his old ways. Blocking countering and simply wearing down froch for a mid/late stoppage.

Although Dirrell was beating Abraham fairly comfortably I do think Froch will be too much for Abraham.

Abraham cant handle the strength of the supermiddles and I reckon Froch will hurt him. Dirrell put Abraham down and wasted the opportunity. As shite as Froch is, when (not if) he hurts Abraham, he will go for the kill and as clumsy as it may be, it will be the most pressure that Abraham has ever had to deal with.

Abraham stalks opponents but that will suit Froch, he will get plenty of time to try those swinging punches while Abraham gets pushed backwards with his gloves covering his face

Abraham gets stopped late.

[Mar]

In england, africa, or hell even in froch's living room, i see no way he beats abraham. He's too slow to do what direll did, leaves his hands down way too much. Abraham will be back to his old ways. Blocking countering and simply wearing down froch for a mid/late stoppage.

Although Dirrell was beating Abraham fairly comfortably I do think Froch will be too much for Abraham.

Abraham cant handle the strength of the supermiddles and I reckon Froch will hurt him. Dirrell put Abraham down and wasted the opportunity. As shite as Froch is, when (not if) he hurts Abraham, he will go for the kill and as clumsy as it may be, it will be the most pressure that Abraham has ever had to deal with.

Abraham stalks opponents but that will suit Froch, he will get plenty of time to try those swinging punches while Abraham gets pushed backwards with his gloves covering his face

Abraham gets stopped late.

Good points....i've been right once in row lately though so we'll see lol !! Above someone mentioned the venue being a factor, and i don't think that has much to do with anything. Stuff like that is always an excuse of the loosing side. Most fights have been close and could have gone either way, on the road you have to do more every fighter realizes that. That can't take a ko away from you. Oh well they did for butte, but usually not..

[El Kabong]

I think Froch is taking his loss rather hard meanwhile the DQ loss for Abraham leaves him feeling he has to redeem himself.

I think Froch is going to burn out early trying to hurt AA and I think based on the Dirrell fight AA starts his attack earlier maybe taking a page out of RJJ's playbook and lands hard to start the fight. However it plays out I see Froch getting stopped and I doubt he's ever the same #1 because of AA's power and #2 I think mentally he can't take losing

[0james0]

I hope the super 6 catch on with the neutral venue thing and make it something for the future fights. I think it would bring the series on a level.

I'm actually quite looking forward to this one, think it will be a brawl, but I'm not sure if Froch will be able to match the power right through and Abraham will keep banging.

If Froch wins it will be a great performance, but I think Abraham will out blast him.

[No Contest]

This could turn out being one of the better fights in the super six. Froch should take a page from Dirrell and pick his spots. I got a feeling Abraham will have an easier time finding Froch than Dirrell. I got Abraham by late round stoppage.

[No Contest]

I think Froch is taking his loss rather hard meanwhile the DQ loss for Abraham leaves him feeling he has to redeem himself.

I think Froch is going to burn out early trying to hurt AA and I think based on the Dirrell fight AA starts his attack earlier maybe taking a page out of RJJ's playbook and lands hard to start the fight. However it plays out I see Froch getting stopped and I doubt he's ever the same #1 because of AA's power and #2 I think mentally he can't take losing

I dont know how you jump to that conclusion with your #2 reason. He hasn't had a fight since his first loss yet. Unless you count Dirrell as a loss =P

[CFH]

If Abraham opens up early and counters Froch, he will stop him. However, if he covers up for the first six rounds and lets Froch fire away, he'll be lucky to see the end of the fight. This is the most compelling fight in the Super 6 so far IMO. Depending on the way it plays out it could go either way. I think both fighters can hurt the other and it'll all come down to who fights the smarter fight.