by Ronnie Jordan: Possibly the most popular decision in recent boxing history was to make the Showtime Super Six tournament, a reality. It’s so far widely regarded by fans, boxers and promoters alike as a huge success and has even been suggested as the future blue print for other weight classes. Having just watched the seventh installment of the entertaining and well made 360 super six documentaries, it’s reminded me why I love it so much. It’s completely changed the process of fight making and has generated opinion as of what direction the sport should head in. First off we should appreciate the fact they got five different promoters to agree to the terms. In the current climate that’s not only unlikely but bordering on impossible. Although there have been a few stumbling blocks it’s generally gone smoothly.

The format means you know who’s fighting who, when the fight takes place and where it is held. (The latter being the most disputed subject). It’s refreshing having such luxury in a sport which is usually dominated with endless speculation and indecision. So far the match ups have been a success as well. The fighters have for most part performed at a high standard and in an entertaining manner.

The show time 360 documentary is interesting because they have filmed over a period of around five days around the fight. We witness the preparations leading up to the bout getting an insight into there pre-fight mentality and also something you very rarely see, there reaction and thoughts after the fight. They filmed them at home relaxing and revealed them all to be pretty down to earth guys. Family men who are just extremely dedicated, and ambitious fighters. This seventh installment was concentrated around the Andre ward and Allen green bout held in June of this year. Andre seemed focused as always with his renowned composed and resolute approach and was dominant in his display against a somewhat despondent Allen Green.

Andre Dirrell seemed ready for his clash with Ward as both assured us, they will brush aside there friendship for one night in the name of professionalism. As I’ve stated in a previous article, I like Dirrell in this fight but regardless of who wins I’m just really looking forward to watching it. Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham both seem as determined as ever and there bout in early October should be an all out war.

As expected there have been injuries along the way, firstly with the fall of the Jermain Taylor who most believe this tournament came a little too late for. It would have been incredible to see what a prime Taylor could have done. Recently though the tournament has been dealt a much larger blow with the fall of the Danish World Boxing Council super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler, who recently took the title off Carl Froch. After suffering an eye injury in sparring doctors have advised him to take a year off from the sport, obviously leaving him unable to continue. This left the tournament in limbo with the organizers unsure of where to go next. What is for sure is It’s come too far and there’s no going back now.

The options were either finding another opponent for Allen green or the more sensible and what looks to be the probable outcome is entering straight into the semi final stage. This means Froch, Abraham, Ward and Dirrell fighting in a knock out format leaving Allen Green out of the reckoning. This is unfortunate for Green however to be honest he already at a disadvantage and after his performance against Ward maybe he’s not such a big loss.

Although many see Andre Ward as the stand out favourite to go on and win the tournament I’m not so sure. First off his fight against Dirrell in his own words is “his toughest fight to date”. Dirrell came under criticism after the lackluster display against Froch but for me during the Abraham fight he showed the skill, speed and movement that sets him apart from the rest. Arthur Abraham has ploughed through his previous opponents and was so dominant against Jermain Taylor he knocked him out of the tournament after just one fight. Many thought Abraham would be to strong for Dirrell and although the outcome was some what marred no one can deny Dirrell put on an absolute clinic for 10 rounds. Would Ward of been so dominant against Arthur? I’m not so sure. I see the next two fights as very evenly matched, but if I had to choose I predict Dirrell will out box Ward in a close 12 round decision and Abraham comes out on top in a similarly close but far more brutal fight with Froch.

Like I said this is the best thing that’s ever happened to boxing and to me would solve many problems the sport faces. Come on Golden Boy, HBO, Bob Arum and whoever else is in charge lets make this tournament format the norm in boxing. Its inconceivably better for the fans and would make the sport a more respected and no doubt more lucrative sport.