By Scott Gilfoid: Last month the Dirrell brothers, Andre (20-1, 14 KO’s) and Anthony (24-0, 21 KO’s), showed that they’re the class of the super middleweight division with a pair of impressive knockout wins over stiff competition. Andre, 28, destroyed Darryl Cunningham by a highlight reel 2nd round TKO on December 30th on SHOWTIME, while younger brother Anthony was almost equally impressive in blowing out No.3 ranked World Boxing Council contender Renan St. Juste by a 4th round TKO on December 2nd.

I realize there are a number of good super middleweights – Lucian Bute, Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler – that are currently well respected by boxing fans around the world. However, I don’t see any of those three getting in the way of the Dirrell brothers in capturing and unifying the world titles at super middleweight. The only fighter I can see giving the Dirrell brothers any problems is WBA/WBC champion Andre Ward (25-0, 13 KO’s).

He’s the only speed bump that stands in their way right and he presents a formidable obstacle because of his excellent hand speed and superb inside game. Ward is a rare fighter that can fight at a high level on the inside and outside. Usually a fighter has one area where he’s outstanding, but Ward has a couple. But where he’s lacking is his power. He doesn’t punch nearly as well as the Dirrell brothers and his defense and movement isn’t quite as god as Andre Dirrell’s. We still don’t know whether Anthony is as good as Ward on the inside.

I’ve seen Anthony in fights he’s been overpowering on the inside against his opposition due to his ability to throw with huge power from a short range. Ward doesn’t have that kind of power in close and relies more on smothering his opponents with wrestling and short punches. Anthony could be a real nightmare for him.

As for Froch, Bute and Kessler, I see that bunch being moved down to the contender ranks in 2012 or 2013. They’ll do okay for as long as they can avoid Ward and the Dirrell brothers, but once those fights happen, Bute, Froch and Kessler will be sent down a level where they’ll have scrape it out among the other contenders. I’m sure they’ll go okay and rise up to capture one of the interim straps but if they try and face Ward and Dirrell again, they’ll lose. I see Froch, Bute and Kessler as the old line of fighters that are on their way out. Now there is a new class that’s taking over and knocking the trio off the top of the mountain. Change is hard and I doubt Froch, Kessler and Bute will enjoy being send down a notch but it’ll be a good experience. They can get that hunger again and come up with some ideas to try and reinvent themselves by moving up in weight to the light heavyweight division, which is pathetically weak right now. Who knows? Maybe Bute can capture a title and milk it for another three years like he’s milked his IBF strap before he finally faces a live body and gets whipped.