Where does Andre Dirrell go from here?

By Boxing News - 07/10/2012 - Comments

Image: Where does Andre Dirrell go from here?By Neil Linners: With the release of news confirming that super middleweight Andre Dirrell (20-1, 14 KO’s) has decided to pull out of a proposed bout with Adonis Stevenson it really does pose the question as to where Dirrell can realistically go from here?

In a career that has seen a significant layoff due to injury, Dirrell has stalled numerous times since his apparent return. After suffering from a neurological injury as a result of facing the heavy handed Arthur Abraham, Dirrell has pulled out of bouts with Andre Ward and rejected a fight with the then unbeaten Lucian Bute.

The fight with Stevenson would appear on paper to be the perfect opportunity for Dirrell to get his career back on track, with the winner going on to face current IBF champ the talented Carl Froch.

Dirrell has done very little to earn a title shot, receiving his only crack at a strap thus far thanks to the Super Six where he was beaten by Froch. His disqualification win over Arthur Abraham in 2010, and his loss to Carl Froch in 2009 are the only top level fights he has had, so a title shot against any of the current champs is not likely given his inactivity and especially as Dirrell must be considered a dangerous opponent given his hand speed, negativity and reluctance to engage. Who would make a voluntary defence against him? Why should they?

He has to earn his shot, but has baulked at the idea of facing a beatable Stevenson, which begs the question once again as to whether he is mentally strong enough for the boxing game? Or confident in his own ability? It appears not.

Perhaps he is lucky because in this writers opinion, if he were ever to get another shot at the vastly superior and sublimely ‘talented’ Froch, he would be battered from pillar to post and stopped by Froch’s awesome power and sheer will to win.
Andre needs to dig deep and find some guts, or walk away before he gets hurt again.



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