By Peter Wells: Tonight the second stage of the Super Six tournament commences, with two very different fighters. People say opposites attract, and maybe we could be in for something special. You wouldn’t be saying that though if you predicted this fight to be anything like the Dirrell-Froch fight, October last year. Dirrell ran and held all night; it was an ugly fight, one not even Scott Gilford could have enjoyed. I’m neither German nor American, so I have no reason to be biast, I respect both fighters and give both of them a shot in this fight.
Dirrell will really want the points tonight, and it couldn’t get harder than this, but he should consider himself lucky, if he was in Germany, I wouldn’t give him a chance. Jermain Taylor despite being knocked out in the end wasn’t as far behind as the judges suggested, I had him just 1 round behind. Being in America gives Dirrell more of a relief. Abraham has only fought in the US once where he stopped Edison Miranda in 4, only 2 of his 31 fights have been outside of his adopted Germany.
Dirrell has a grave advantage in height, but muscle and power go to Abraham without a doubt. Speed is Dirrell’s main asset and can use it to great affect. I personally don’t think Abraham will be as difficult to fight as Froch was, mainly because Froch is faster and seems to try more. Arthur is an extremely relaxed fighter, even when he starts his bursts.
Abraham is an ultimately terrifying opponent, and it’s close to impossible to stay away from him for the full fight. Dirrell is fast of hand and foot, but so was Jermain Taylor. If Dirrell can be more confident in himself for the full 12 then he could go the distance easily, at a good pace. Against Froch he was worried he’d wear himself out, when in the end, he had plenty left in the tank.
Abraham can’t rely to much on his opponent wearing down this time, because for once he hasn’t got the home advantage, which if it’s close could cause the end of ‘King’ Arthur’s reign. It’ll be a hard fight for Dirrell once it gets past the half way stage and it’s all about what will he do to weather the storm. Andre will dominate early on, get his fans excited, and make Abraham look poor, but little will land. This time those little bursts won’t help Abraham to get any extra rounds. Abraham will come back, backing Dirrell up and giving him hell for the last half of the fight. Dirrell will have spells in between, which may give him a close and very controversial decision.
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