Photo: Casino/SHOWTIME – By Scott Gilfoid: Andre Dirrell (20-1, 14 KO’s) looked as if he had never been away from boxing tonight in stopping Darryl Cunningham (24-3, 10 KO’s) in the 2nd round and showing power that had SHOWTIME analyst and former world champion Antonio Tarver very impressed.

Tarver said “I didn’t realize Dirrell had power like that. He’s on the fast track to a title. I don’t think any of those guys – Lucian Bute, Carl Froch, and Mikkel Kessler – would want to get up in the ring with him after that performance. He looks in great shape and powered up and that’s something we didn’t think he had.”

Dirrell really is sitting down on his punches now a lot more than he did two years ago last time he fought. It could be that he’s now matured fully and has gotten his man strength and is just now starting to show it. His KO of Cunningham wasn’t just because he was in with an overmatched opponent. Dirrell’s power and speed was very impressive to say the least. I seriously think he would knockout any of the top contenders and guys like Kessler, Bute and Froch. Dirrell already had Froch staggering on two occasions two years ago in their fight and Dirrell really only threw two hard shots in that fight and had Froch staggering both times.

If Dirrell was throwing like he was tonight back then, Froch would have been in serious trouble. When you’ve got a guy like Dirrell with amazing hand speed and a lot of power to go along with it, it’s difficult for anyone to take those kinds of lead left hands the way he was throwing them. It’s especially difficult to take those shots when you’re slower like Froch, Kessler and Bute. They’re all slower than Dirrell and would be getting hit cleanly his left hands the same way Cunningham was.

Dirrell said “2012 is mine. I’m back, that’s all that matters. I wanted it to go further. I felt a little off with my timing. Everything I threw, I threw with full confidence. I’d like to pick up my game 100 percent. I got a long ways to go. I’s almost like starting over. My speed is there, my timing is there. Time will tell. I’m going to get back in the gym. I’m just going to keep pushing forward. Like I said, if I can get all the titles in 2012 I’m going to go out there and try. Whoever thinks they’re ready for me, call me out.”

I kind of doubt too many of the top contenders or champions are going to want any part of Dirrell after tonight’s showing. Dirrell has got too much talent, too speed, and too much power for the slower fighters.