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

[jangeorg]

Great vid Jan thanks!

Personally, I reckon Kessler is the strongest of this bunch, though it is a very strong sextuplet. Kessler's straight down the middle style is going to cause trouble to everyone.

Froch got slightly lucky stopping Taylor so late, I think they're both fairly even. There's a lot of variables in there, but it's certainly the sort of appetite-whetter this division's been crying out for.

In the vid, Abraham looks to be the most reserved of the group, though that may be as he speaks the least English. Really looking forward to this one, might trip up to Nottingham for Froch's first.

Thanks, but where is Andre Ward on this video, Its a group photo, Maybe Ward dropped out

[uwey]

Direll aint losing. Yea, I said AINT

[Bomp]

Dirrell seems a bit of a character and I hope he does well, would like to see him shut up Froch but It's a hard one to call as he's sp green. Same goes to Ward, who I think is a little out of his depth after watching a bit of him on youtube yesterday, though I haven't seen his fight with Miranda to be sure.

There's something naturally passive about Taylor and Kessler, so find it hard to see either go through undefeated, but expect Kess to make 2 from three to make the semis.

I'll eat my own dick if that oaf Froch goes 5-0.

[Rantcatrat]

I'll be the biased American and say I like Andre Ward.

I liked the way he took apart Edison Miranda. I don't like that he has to face Kessler in the first round, but hopefully it is in Oakland.

Froch could knock Dirrell out cold.

AA isn't a bad pick either, but he is an unproven commodity at 168. Will his power translate? JT over AA in an upset isn't a bad call because as someone mentioned AA takes rounds off and JT can't keep up a fast pace for 12 rounds.

[Mar]

I'll go with direll...i give taylor the least chance.

[JazMerkin]

I think Abraham wins it overall beating Kessler in the final, but I think every fighter will lose a fight at some stage

[CFH]

Kessler is my pick. It's the easy pick, but it's also the obvious one.

As for the first fights, I think they will go:

Abraham will stop Taylor late, Taylor will be ahead on points at the time

Kessler will beat Ward on points in a close-ish one

Froch - Dirrell is hard for me to call. I think Froch fought better competition but I'm still not sold on him. I'm picking Dirrell to pull off the upset, even though if I'm being totally honest with myself I favor Froch to win.

[cpcompany]

My main observation of that photo shoot is that they are all keeping themselves in fairly good condition between fights. Doesnt look like much drinking and eating shite going on with that lot.

[hfahrenheit]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJTTF...layer_embedded

Kessler still looks to be in pretty good shape, despite the inactivity.

[hfahrenheit]

I'm the hometown fan, but I'd love for Taylor to get another shot at Froch. I think either of the Andre's fought at their pace, they'd beat Froch.

AA v. Froch would probably be Froch's best fight strictly from a conditioning stand point. I favor AA though...

I too pick Kessler as the tourney winner, although AA does provide an interesting afterthought.

Where the hell is Bute in all this? Is Balzsay so bad that even with a title and an undefeated record he couldn't get an invite?

I think the winner of Bute v. Andrade owes Allan Green a shot.

[markb018]

I am going for Andre Ward to take this, love what I saw with Miranda and I have a feeling he will fight Kessler in the bay area, which means I will be there

Froch I think is doing the worst out of the group, think if him and Jermain fight again Jermain takes it with that being said Jermain is coming in 2nd from last.

Guess my order would be
Ward
Abraham
Kessler
Dirrell
JT
Froch

Showtime is doing a great thing with this. Great to see promoters collaborating to get this going. Hopefully it all pans out and the tournament last till the finish with little injuries (knock on wood)

[Dark Lord Al]

Froch doesnt have the workrate to win this , Kessler is fav on paper , but lets see what AA brings to the SM table.

[Majesty]

I'm picking Andre Ward.

But that's a hard first match up for him. But I would give him a shot . I'd have preferred if the matchups were like this


Kessler - Abraham
Taylor - Dirrell
Ward vs Froch

Where is Allan Green and Lucian Bute? lol

[Bomp]

Kessler is the best fighter for me, but styles makes fights plus he's been inactive, I think Ward gets him at the best time and at home ground, but still pick Mikkel for the first fight.

I pick AA to catch up with JT some time during the fight, late on probably.

Don't think Dirrell has the power to keep Carl honest, and he'll probably have to hang on to his lead late. Massive congrats to Showtime for pulling this off.

[Rantcatrat]

Will a poster who voted AA to take this explain their reasoning?

I like AA. He punched harder than anyone else at middleweight. However, he starts slow and takes rounds off. Can he do that at 168?