Al Bernstein On Boxing: Super Six Will Be Super

[Saddo]

OK, this is a little awkward. When the news broke this week that Showtime has created a six man tournament in the super middleweight division I was, well, ecstatic.

I love the talent in super middleweight division, and I think boxing needs something fresh and daring like this tourney. Now those are my honest, gut level reactions to this news.

Here’s the awkward part. Since I’m employed as the lead boxing analyst for Showtime Championship Boxing, it’s just barely possible that some might think that kind of enthusiasm is not arrived at objectively.

They might reasonably assume that I have a more subjective agenda in praising this new venture…like keeping my job. Well, I won’t deny that my 10 year old son’s penchant for purchasing every Star Wars item ever made means I can hardly afford a loss in income.

But, my giddy reaction to the super six tourney is as genuine as could be. You can suggest it’s misguided or even wrong, but you can’t get me... Full Boxing Article here...

[OumaFan]

I like it, I know there have been some issues brought up, the format, the the length of time the tournament might take, and the exclusion of certain fighters, namely Bute, but overall I think the positives way outweigh the negatives.

[Howlin Mad Missy]

They've used this format in the UK for a while now - borrowed from K1. The aim being the short fights will be encourage action rather than a tactical longer battle but of game plans do come in to it, if you go out all guns blazing you risk injury, getting caught by pressing the attack, use up too much steam in the fight and you'll have no energy for the last fight.

It's a useful tool that younger fighers can try can claim some attention and older dogs can prove they still have what it takes.

[DaxxKahn]

Good article as usual from Al

[CFH]

Good article. I am one of those "misanthropes" who has misgivings about the SMW tournament, but I do think it has a lot of potential as well. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

[Kev]

Good article. I am one of those "misanthropes" who has misgivings about the SMW tournament, but I do think it has a lot of potential as well. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

We heard you the first time Josh

Let's just hope it doesn't go the way of that big 8 man heavyweight tournament that was going to feature all the world's best heavyweights a couple years ago.

[Saddo]

I'm really looking foward to the event... to showtime

i think Froch has made a mistake joining this but props to him for doing so as to all the boxers... GREAT STUFF

[bcollins]

Tournaments like this generate a lot of excitement for the sport - and that's always a good thing. I also appreciate the wisdom coming from the second half of the article. It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hype surrounding the fight negotiations at 147 (or 143-145, whatever ) but at the end of the day, a little patience as a fan will go a long way. Chances are good we'll see some spectacular matchups very soon.

[CFH]

Good article. I am one of those "misanthropes" who has misgivings about the SMW tournament, but I do think it has a lot of potential as well. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

We heard you the first time Josh

Let's just hope it doesn't go the way of that big 8 man heavyweight tournament that was going to feature all the world's best heavyweights a couple years ago.

It's not my fault, the forum has been intermittently fucked up for the past week or so.

[Andre]

Its a great thing, I agree.

It also gets some boarder line fight fans attention off into other weights for a change too many contender fans will be drawn into it for that same reason.

My mind is drifting back into history and seeks conclusions to possible group match offs during some of the times of the greats. I wonder...should someone create a thread on it?