Froch is the favourite for Super Six Tournament

[Snakefist Ar Fu]

I just can't see how a guy who was beaten from pillar to post for much of an entire fight be the favorite. Froch is tough but he is glorified amatuer fighter. I think he could possibly loose to everyone he fight's in this tournament to be honest. Depending on Dirrell's and Ward's chin. I think another run at JT he will lose also Kessler and AA.

It was really only the first four rounds of his fight with Taylor that he got outclassed, after that it was a dead even fight as evidenced by RP33's statement that going into the final round he trailed by 4 points on 2 cards and was ahead on the other.

Take away rounds 1-4 and he was equal to Taylor over the rest of the fight.

He was slow to adapt, he'd never been in with anyone as fast or slick as Taylor and Taylor was in awesome form offensively in that fight.

Remember even Calzaghe was floored by both Hopkins and Jones in his big American fights, Hatton has been spectacularly KO'd embarassingly when he stepped up to the highest level on the American stage, Lewis twice got sparked, David Haye had to pick himself up off the floor to beat Mormeck in his home country.

What I'm saying is that stepping up in class, travelling to a foreign country isn't easy. Many collapse under the bright lights, but Froch despite clearly being out of his depth early was able to muster the will and the self belief to get himself back into the fight. That is what being a world champion is all about, Kessler couldn't do it against Joe, he faded down the stretch as Joe increasingly exerted his will on him.

Froch has beaten, not one, but two world champion calibre fighters back to back. He absolutely deserves to be considered one of the favourites going in.

Yes he can be outboxed and hit, but we know two things about Froch that we don't know about most of the others, firstly, he has an iron will, unshakeble self belief even under the most intense pressure, and a tremendous ability to withstand punishment, secondly we know he has the power, and the finishing skills to end any fight he is in, even against world championship calibre fighters.

We don't know any of these traits with the two Andre's yet, Taylor has big question marks, and Abraham hasn't got a win on his record bigger than either Pascal or Jermain Taylor, and he's never fought a genuine super middleweight.

Only Kessler really has proven credentials at this weight, a bona fida double world champion and so justifiably imo Kessler and Froch start favourites.

If I was going to choose a favourite, it would be Kessler. I am a Froch fan but in his last two fights he has come out slower than usual. I think its down to nerves. A title fight and then a defence of a title against someone like Jermain Taylor.

His next fight against Dirrell may be dangerous for him. A young slick fit undefeted fighter. If Froch fights like his last two fights (starting off too slow) I think he will loose on points.

I believe the best fights will be between Froch, Abraham and Kessler. Kessler may be the only one out of the three to loose a fight but that was to Calzaghe. I dont think Froch or Abraham would have a chance against Calzaghe.

[Stander]

Carl Froch7/4
Mikkel Kessler11/4
Arthur Abraham7/2
Jermain Taylor5/1
Andre Ward10/1
Andre Dirrell14/1


I think Taylor is the only one that CAN'T win it!!

With me being british im going with Froch,but i will have a few ££s on Abraham,he's at great odds,he's tough as old boots,for me he's the hardest out them all!!

See, i'm a big Joe C fan...however Froch's continous insulting of him has taken away any incentive I had to root for him

[Kev]

I just can't see how a guy who was beaten from pillar to post for much of an entire fight be the favorite. Froch is tough but he is glorified amatuer fighter. I think he could possibly loose to everyone he fight's in this tournament to be honest. Depending on Dirrell's and Ward's chin. I think another run at JT he will lose also Kessler and AA.

It was really only the first four rounds of his fight with Taylor that he got outclassed, after that it was a dead even fight as evidenced by RP33's statement that going into the final round he trailed by 4 points on 2 cards and was ahead on the other.

Take away rounds 1-4 and he was equal to Taylor over the rest of the fight.

He was slow to adapt, he'd never been in with anyone as fast or slick as Taylor and Taylor was in awesome form offensively in that fight.

Remember even Calzaghe was floored by both Hopkins and Jones in his big American fights, Hatton has been spectacularly KO'd embarassingly when he stepped up to the highest level on the American stage, Lewis twice got sparked, David Haye had to pick himself up off the floor to beat Mormeck in his home country.

What I'm saying is that stepping up in class, travelling to a foreign country isn't easy. Many collapse under the bright lights, but Froch despite clearly being out of his depth early was able to muster the will and the self belief to get himself back into the fight. That is what being a world champion is all about, Kessler couldn't do it against Joe, he faded down the stretch as Joe increasingly exerted his will on him.

Froch has beaten, not one, but two world champion calibre fighters back to back. He absolutely deserves to be considered one of the favourites going in.

Yes he can be outboxed and hit, but we know two things about Froch that we don't know about most of the others, firstly, he has an iron will, unshakeble self belief even under the most intense pressure, and a tremendous ability to withstand punishment, secondly we know he has the power, and the finishing skills to end any fight he is in, even against world championship calibre fighters.

We don't know any of these traits with the two Andre's yet, Taylor has big question marks, and Abraham hasn't got a win on his record bigger than either Pascal or Jermain Taylor, and he's never fought a genuine super middleweight.

Only Kessler really has proven credentials at this weight, a bona fida double world champion and so justifiably imo Kessler and Froch start favourites.

If I was going to choose a favourite, it would be Kessler. I am a Froch fan but in his last two fights he has come out slower than usual. I think its down to nerves. A title fight and then a defence of a title against someone like Jermain Taylor.

His next fight against Dirrell may be dangerous for him. A young slick fit undefeted fighter. If Froch fights like his last two fights (starting off too slow) I think he will loose on points.

I believe the best fights will be between Froch, Abraham and Kessler. Kessler may be the only one out of the three to loose a fight but that was to Calzaghe. I dont think Froch or Abraham would have a chance against Calzaghe.

Yeah me too, if I had to pick anyone I'd go with Kessler, I mean he's the one guy you know will do well, even if he doesn't win it.

The other guys we don't really know.

Froch, has the power and the proven ability to win at this level, but is wide open and could easily get caught cold or outboxed.

Abraha, never fought at this weight, never fought at this level. Miranda aside there are no impressive names on his resume. Starts slow and relies on being more powerful than his opposition. I wouldn't count on the likes of Froch, Kessler, Ward etc to wilt under his late round pressure like the largely Eastern European club fighters he's been beating. If they don't he could easily get outpointed. I think he has stamina issues as well, not in a Taylor way, but more in an Oscar way. I can see him fading late on in fights against some of these guys.

Taylor, tremendous skill but could be one punch away from oblivion.

Ward, looked great in beating Miranda, although seems to have no pop, we don't know how he will cope in this class though.

Dirrell, very likeable and confident guy, has the charisma to be a star, but a complete unknown quantity. He may turn out to be great, in which case he could win it all, but at the same time his chin may get exposed, he may have a heart like Victor Ortiz etc, we simply don't know at this juncture.


So there we have it, all of them could potentially win the whole thing imo, but equally Kessler aside, any of the other five could all fall completely flat and be outclassed here.

Kessler I think everyone agrees will likely be there or thereabouts so is the best bet.

[CFH]

I just can't see how a guy who was beaten from pillar to post for much of an entire fight be the favorite. Froch is tough but he is glorified amatuer fighter. I think he could possibly loose to everyone he fight's in this tournament to be honest. Depending on Dirrell's and Ward's chin. I think another run at JT he will lose also Kessler and AA.

Beaton from pillar to post ?? What fight were you watching mate, you Americans sometimes are biased as fuck and seem to find it hard to give any fighter not from your shores any fucking credit, Froch was always in the fight, a beating from Pillar to post i would say is similar to a Calzaghe-Lacy fight or Hopkins-Pavlik fight, Froch-Taylor not a fucking chance.

I had Taylor up 6-3 after 9, if the fight had finished i had Taylor winning by one fucking point.

I strongly disagree with that, Americans are no more biased than any other group of people or nationality in my experience. People may not be sold on certain fighters who they have limited exposure to, but I have yet to find a nationality/ethnic group who are more biased that any others on here.

[Kev]

I just can't see how a guy who was beaten from pillar to post for much of an entire fight be the favorite. Froch is tough but he is glorified amatuer fighter. I think he could possibly loose to everyone he fight's in this tournament to be honest. Depending on Dirrell's and Ward's chin. I think another run at JT he will lose also Kessler and AA.

Beaton from pillar to post ?? What fight were you watching mate, you Americans sometimes are biased as fuck and seem to find it hard to give any fighter not from your shores any fucking credit, Froch was always in the fight, a beating from Pillar to post i would say is similar to a Calzaghe-Lacy fight or Hopkins-Pavlik fight, Froch-Taylor not a fucking chance.

I had Taylor up 6-3 after 9, if the fight had finished i had Taylor winning by one fucking point.

I strongly disagree with that, Americans are no more biased than any other group of people or nationality in my experience. People may not be sold on certain fighters who they have limited exposure to, but I have yet to find a nationality/ethnic group who are more biased that any others on here.

Filipino's?

[amat]

Not true just some Filipinos are ignorant and just follow Pacquiao and the other Filipino fighters which makes them seem ignorant. Filipinos who are actual fight fans aren't so bad. Just like I'm sure Cycling fans feel Americans are stupid because of their tunnel vision.

[CFH]

Beaton from pillar to post ?? What fight were you watching mate, you Americans sometimes are biased as fuck and seem to find it hard to give any fighter not from your shores any fucking credit, Froch was always in the fight, a beating from Pillar to post i would say is similar to a Calzaghe-Lacy fight or Hopkins-Pavlik fight, Froch-Taylor not a fucking chance.

I had Taylor up 6-3 after 9, if the fight had finished i had Taylor winning by one fucking point.

I strongly disagree with that, Americans are no more biased than any other group of people or nationality in my experience. People may not be sold on certain fighters who they have limited exposure to, but I have yet to find a nationality/ethnic group who are more biased that any others on here.

Filipino's?

There are rabid, fanboy Filipino's (as with any other group) and there are more reasonable legitimate Filipino fans (as with any other group). The only reason there seems to be so many of them is because of the disproportionate popularity of Manny Pacquiao in regards to other fighters. The same thing has happened with fighters of other nationalities in the recent past (*cough* Hatton *cough*).

On the whole, Filipino's fight fans are no different than any other group of fight fans.

[Stander]

I'm American and I started watching Joe C when I was in HS when he beat Eubank. I always loved to watch the fights in Ireland with my grand dad. Some Americans are but REAL fight fans aren't. I just think most Americans don't know much about boxing anymore. Those who are into it are a minority of what they were even in the 80's!

[ElTerribleMorales]

i didn't say that it was some lucky punch, but Froch was lucky that Taylor's stamina was shit, cause had it been against anyone else that could go the full 12 without looking like they just went through a marathon, Taylor's stamina is a joke, but he was DOMINATING Froch, anyone who tries to deny that is simply blind, and going into the 12th don't really see how it could of been that close, i had Taylor winning the first 8 straight plus a KD, it was a bit back and forth from the 9th to the 10th, i personally had Froch winning the three rounds, and then it ended in the 12th, so the score was something like 107-101 for Taylor, so wasn't really that close going into the final round, props to Froch to capitalize on Taylors weak stamina and getting the KO, but it doesn't erase the FACT that he was getting horribly outboxed and got dropped, he's hardly unbeatable or the best fighter in the tournament by default

[Kev]

i didn't say that it was some lucky punch, but Froch was lucky that Taylor's stamina was shit, cause had it been against anyone else that could go the full 12 without looking like they just went through a marathon, Taylor's stamina is a joke, but he was DOMINATING Froch, anyone who tries to deny that is simply blind, and going into the 12th don't really see how it could of been that close, i had Taylor winning the first 8 straight plus a KD, it was a bit back and forth from the 9th to the 10th, i personally had Froch winning the three rounds, and then it ended in the 12th, so the score was something like 107-101 for Taylor, so wasn't really that close going into the final round, props to Froch to capitalize on Taylors weak stamina and getting the KO, but it doesn't erase the FACT that he was getting horribly outboxed and got dropped, he's hardly unbeatable or the best fighter in the tournament by default

In what rounds? The first 3 or 4 I agree but after that it was dead even fight.

Froch lost all the first 4 rounds, one by 10-8 yet was only four rounds down going into the final round on the official and most people's scorecards. The commentators and some at ringside had it much closer some thinking Froch might already be level, maybe even ahead going into the last round, not saying I agree with them.

But he clearly wasn't dominated for the entire fight.

Had Taylor survived to the bell Froch would have lost a split decision by a single point on the official cards I believe, hardly a domination.

He was no more dominated than the great J C Chavez was in his first fight with Meldrick Taylor, and Chavez dominated him the rematch.

He won the fight, not as a result of a lucky punch, or Taylor suddenly gassing in an instant but because of the intense round by round pressure and aggression he put on Taylor for the whole fight.

It was a sloppy start but he recovered to win a great fight.

And his performance over Pascal, who is now a bona fida 175 lb champ was maybe even better.

He's a warrior, not hard to hit, not the fastest, but he will stand and bang with these guys and make for some great figts.

His last two fights have been crazy entertaing, I expect the Dirrell fight to be no different. If Dirrell is to beat him he will have to go through the fire to do it because Froch will most definitely test his chin, heart and courage.

[TheDemolitionDan]

Froch is a bit overrated in my mind. He was losing a close fight with Taylor and JT also put Froch on his backside, and Taylor is a natural Middleweight and was never considered a big puncher. Froch is very funny and has massive heart, but I believe he lacks the skills to win this tourney.

Kessler is a solid pick. This is his natural weight and has established himself and his only loss is to the great Joe Calzaghe.

Abraham is kind of tricky, he doesn't have any flaws in his game and has only fought at 168 once (against Miranda) and he looked good. Tough to really say how he will do, but I think he will go far.

Ward is a good pick with his odds. Tough to go against the Son of God he has good skills and he is a natural SMW. He has fought some stiff competition on his way up so he is somewhat battle tested.

Dirrell is kind of a darkhorse. He is green, but he does have good skills that might take him far, but he will be going into deep deep waters for the first time in his career.

I don't see Taylor doing much in this tourney. He's been through his fare share of wars and he might be near shot now. That Froch loss must have taken a lot out of him and I can't see him getting pass the first round.

[Kev]

Froch is a bit overrated in my mind. He was losing a close fight with Taylor and JT also put Froch on his backside, and Taylor is a natural Middleweight and was never considered a big puncher. Froch is very funny and has massive heart, but I believe he lacks the skills to win this tourney.

Kessler is a solid pick. This is his natural weight and has established himself and his only loss is to the great Joe Calzaghe.

Abraham is kind of tricky, he doesn't have any flaws in his game and has only fought at 168 once (against Miranda) and he looked good. Tough to really say how he will do, but I think he will go far.

Ward is a good pick with his odds. Tough to go against the Son of God he has good skills and he is a natural SMW. He has fought some stiff competition on his way up so he is somewhat battle tested.

Dirrell is kind of a darkhorse. He is green, but he does have good skills that might take him far, but he will be going into deep deep waters for the first time in his career.

I don't see Taylor doing much in this tourney. He's been through his fare share of wars and he might be near shot now. That Froch loss must have taken a lot out of him and I can't see him getting pass the first round.

I hardly see how he is overatted, apart from me and Tam Seddon everybody seems to think he's losing to whoever he fights next.

He hasn't got anything like the credit he deserves and in Britain he's still an absolute unknown thanks to zero television coverage of his huge fight with Taylor.

He's underrated, everybody hates on him.

[denilson200]

If was doing a book on this.

I'd have

Andre Dirrell 2/1
Andre Ward 2/1
Mikell Kessler 2/1
Jermain Taylor 4/1
Arthur Abraham 4/1
Carl Froch 6/1

[Kev]

If was doing a book on this.

I'd have

Andre Dirrell 2/1
Andre Ward 2/1
Mikell Kessler 2/1
Jermain Taylor 4/1
Arthur Abraham 4/1
Carl Froch 6/1

Damn, you'd be in liquidation by Christmas

[El Kabong]

The way I see it is through the match ups these guys have.

Froch-Dirrell: Dirrell has answered a lot of questions, he's not got the greatest chin, he has great athletic ability and handspeed. Dirrell can also switch from lefty to righty pretty decently. I just think his handspeed and his stamina will help him vs Froch. 50/50 fight, I think Dirrell is a fresher, faster, and more powerful version of JT.

Abraham-Taylor: AA is a lot like Bernard Hopkins, he gives away rounds and JT has done well with that before, all he has to do is pace himself and use some damn defense!!! 70/30 AA is at the advantage with his current form BUT this will be the first fight he has ever had at 168 and he might be like Pavlik and can't fight there for some odd reason.

Kessler-Ward: Andre Ward is the greenest of the fighters in this tourny and Kessler is the most experienced. It would be a MAJOR upset for Mikkel to lose this bout. 80/20 obviously in favor of Kessler.

The only way I would give Froch a better shot to win is if he either fought JT again (which would still be difficult) or Andre Ward. It would have been nice if Tavoris Cloud could have made 168 for this!