Showtime to do SMW tournament with Abraham/Kessler/Froch/Taylor/Ward/Dirrell?

[OumaFan]

Yeah but its including most of the best fighters in the division (obviously it sucks for Bute and even Andrade although in a perfect world one of them would get the first shot at the winner) so its limiting their competition but still producing loads of quality fights. And the 2 semifinal fights will be the biggest fights in the division.

I like it. A lot actually. I see the issues with it though.

[OumaFan]

Yeah but its including most of the best fighters in the division (obviously it sucks for Bute and even Andrade although in a perfect world one of them would get the first shot at the winner) so its limiting their competition but still producing loads of quality fights. And the 2 semifinal fights will be the biggest fights in the division.

I like it. A lot actually. I see the issues with it though.

I was responding to CFH here. I've gotta start quoting when its a busy thread.

[CFH]

Yeah but its including most of the best fighters in the division (obviously it sucks for Bute and even Andrade although in a perfect world one of them would get the first shot at the winner) so its limiting their competition but still producing loads of quality fights. And the 2 semifinal fights will be the biggest fights in the division.

I like it. A lot actually. I see the issues with it though.

But it also prevents the division from developing. If those 6 fighters can only fight each other, it limits the number of prospects and other talented but unknown 168lb'ers from growing as fighters and making their mark on the division.

Instead of fighting a Jermaine Taylor and growing as a fighter, a young SMW could find himself matched up against someone like Bute for too soon, if they even get a big fight they deserve.

Best case scenario, this tourney takes 2 years, but that's assuming no fights get postponed and no issues/injuries arise that delay or even scrap fights.

There are just too many variables for me to get fully behind this concept.

[OumaFan]

Fair enough but two years really isn't that long a time in boxing terms, its four fights for most guys. But besides that who knows what we would have got in the next two years, Kessler fighting some boring mandatories, Andre Dirrell just fought a miniature person last time out, Ward was unlikely to step up for at least a fight or two, Abraham might have wasted more time at middle, etc., etc.

This guarantees a full schedule of great fights for the next two years. Some huge fights. That's greatness IMO. I am fully behind this. Shame Bute isn't involved and its not perfect besides that but its a risk clearly worth taking IMO.

And even Bute can fight Andrade, maybe Bika (or has he already fought Bika, scratch that I guess) and stay busy for a couple years and stake his claim as the guy deserving a shot. Not saying it doesn't suck for him though. Other prospects can also continue to build their name and look towards their chances once this is over.

[OumaFan]

Also the division will develop some in this tournament. Abraham will show what he is as a super middle, maybe Dirrell comes out and just looks awesome and makes the leap from prospect to contender or champion.

[OumaFan]

Of course it could all blow up, injuries, etc. Still its worth a shot IMO

[CFH]

Fair enough but two years really isn't that long a time in boxing terms, its four fights for most guys. But besides that who knows what we would have got in the next two years, Kessler fighting some boring mandatories, Andre Dirrell just fought a miniature person last time out, Ward was unlikely to step up for at least a fight or two, Abraham might have wasted more time at middle, etc., etc.

This guarantees a full schedule of great fights for the next two years. Some huge fights. That's greatness IMO. I am fully behind this. Shame Bute isn't involved and its not perfect besides that but its a risk clearly worth taking IMO.

And even Bute can fight Andrade, maybe Bika (or has he already fought Bika, scratch that I guess) and stay busy for a couple years and stake his claim as the guy deserving a shot. Not saying it doesn't suck for him though. Other prospects can also continue to build their name and look towards their chances once this is over.

Two years may not be that long a time, but it's long enough to have a big impact on the division. Also, it could be three years before any of those fighters face someone other than those involved in the tournament. Bute is 29, Allan Green is 29, they are not going to be the same fighters three years from now. I understand why so many people think this tournament is a great thing, but in my eyes the restrictions it places on the division outweigh the positives of this kind of tournament. If it was a year long, I would be all for it, but this is too much.

[OumaFan]

Well they could have done a four man tournament, just a semifinal, final type deal and left out I guess Dirrell and Ward making it just Taylor, Froch, Kessler and Abraham but even that leaves people out, Bute obviously.

I'm not going to go on again about positives outweighing negatives cause its a broken record and obviously its clear where I stand there but that is how I see it. A great schedule of fights. Of course I did just go on about it again but no more from here on out.

Who cares about Allan Green? I guess that's insensitive.

Maybe Bute can fight him, he'll probably price himself out while staring downwards.

[CFH]

Well they could have done a four man tournament, just a semifinal, final type deal and left out I guess Dirrell and Ward making it just Taylor, Froch, Kessler and Abraham but even that leaves people out, Bute obviously.

I'm not going to go on again about positives outweighing negatives cause its a broken record and obviously its clear where I stand there but that is how I see it. A great schedule of fights. Of course I did just go on about it again but no more from here on out.

Who cares about Allan Green? I guess that's insensitive.

Maybe Bute can fight him, he'll probably price himself out while staring downwards.

We are just going around in circles. I admit that I can see where you're coming from, I just happen to disagree.

As for Allan Green, I was just using him as an example of the way in which this tournament could harm the division/other fighters by giving Showtime and these six fighters a monopoly on 168.

[LEGION]

Yeah but its including most of the best fighters in the division (obviously it sucks for Bute and even Andrade although in a perfect world one of them would get the first shot at the winner) so its limiting their competition but still producing loads of quality fights. And the 2 semifinal fights will be the biggest fights in the division.

I like it. A lot actually. I see the issues with it though.

But it also prevents the division from developing. If those 6 fighters can only fight each other, it limits the number of prospects and other talented but unknown 168lb'ers from growing as fighters and making their mark on the division.

Instead of fighting a Jermaine Taylor and growing as a fighter, a young SMW could find himself matched up against someone like Bute for too soon, if they even get a big fight they deserve.

Best case scenario, this tourney takes 2 years, but that's assuming no fights get postponed and no issues/injuries arise that delay or even scrap fights.

There are just too many variables for me to get fully behind this concept.

The issues/injury thing is going to come about; you know it will. I like the idea tremendously though; but wonder if this type thing would benefit up and comers moreso than some of these guys, mostly AA, Froch and Kessler. Taylor could use any help he can get; if this can be considered help{could ruin the rest of his career}. This type thing benefits him and guys like Dirrell and Ward as they get experience and in the public eye more I would think. Let the top dogs stay as is but make this tourny thing for rising stars. I don't know why I came back on; I went and popped some Hydrocodone and am fukked up right now I have bad enough problems thinking straight sober

[CFH]

Yeah but its including most of the best fighters in the division (obviously it sucks for Bute and even Andrade although in a perfect world one of them would get the first shot at the winner) so its limiting their competition but still producing loads of quality fights. And the 2 semifinal fights will be the biggest fights in the division.

I like it. A lot actually. I see the issues with it though.

But it also prevents the division from developing. If those 6 fighters can only fight each other, it limits the number of prospects and other talented but unknown 168lb'ers from growing as fighters and making their mark on the division.

Instead of fighting a Jermaine Taylor and growing as a fighter, a young SMW could find himself matched up against someone like Bute for too soon, if they even get a big fight they deserve.

Best case scenario, this tourney takes 2 years, but that's assuming no fights get postponed and no issues/injuries arise that delay or even scrap fights.

There are just too many variables for me to get fully behind this concept.

The issues/injury thing is going to come about; you know it will. I like the idea tremendously though; but wonder if this type thing would benefit up and comers moreso than some of these guys, mostly AA, Froch and Kessler. Taylor could use any help he can get; if this can be considered help{could ruin the rest of his career}. This type thing benefits him and guys like Dirrell and Ward as they get experience and in the public eye more I would think. Let the top dogs stay as is but make this tourny thing for rising stars. I don't know why I came back on; I went and popped some Hydrocodone and am fukked up right now I have bad enough problems thinking straight sober

Opiods are bad news.

[Conrad]

Don't know if this has already been posted on here but this SMW contest has now been officially announced. Press conference at MSG this Monday with all fighters/promoters present:

Super Middleweight Tournament Officially Announced - Boxing News