By Scott Gilfoid: On November 27th, arguably the most talented fighters in the super middleweight division will get it on when WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward (22-0, 13 KO’s) on once beaten Andre Dirrell (19-1, 13 KO’s) at a still to be determined location in the United States. This will be the 3rd stage Super Six tournament fight for both Dirrell and Ward, and it could be the last chance for the blistering fast and highly skilled talent Dirrell to show his stuff to the boxing world.

It’s sad to say, but unfortunately Dirrell is in a must win situation after losing an incredibly controversial 12 round split decision to Britain’s Carl Froch last year in Dirrell’s first fight in the Super Six tournament. Despite the fact that Dirrell appeared to have beaten Froch by a lopsided 12 round decision, two of the European judges scored it for Froch and it left Dirrell with one loss.

However, Dirrell made up for the defeat by boxing circles around the slow-footed, slow-handed Arthur Abraham in March of this year. But unfortunately, Dirrell needs one more win for him to make it to the semifinals of the Super Six tournament, which he must beat his good friend Ward on November 27th.

Of the Super Six tourney fighters, Dirrell is clearly the only one with the talent to beat Ward. None of the other fighters have come close to beating the amazing Ward, because his sklls are just too good for his limited opposition. Dirrell is going to have to take his game into another level if he wants to get this win. Dirrell has to be even better than he was in his fights against Froch and Abraham. He won’t make it to the semifinals with a 12 round draw, and I can see the fight ending up as a draw because these two fighters are so evenly matched.

But Dirrell is going to have to stay off the ropes, avoid in fighting and focus on boxing in the center of the ring where he an use his blistering fast hand speed to give Ward problems. The main focus for Dirrell is that he should be letting his hands go and being the one that’s initiating all the action. He can’t wait on Ward, because that’s what all Ward’s opponents have done in the Super Six tournament and they’ve all lost because of that.

No, Dirrell has to be first with his shots and not back off once he starts firing. If I were Dirrell’s trainer, I would tell him to unload until he’s got nothing left. Ward may either go down from Dirrell’s blistering attack or wind up so hurt and behind in the fight that Dirrell will get his second wind and be able to finish Ward off. I see the two of them facing each other in the finals of he tournament, so Ward will have a chance to avenge his defeat to Dirrell.