Photo: SE – By Jason Kim: In looking at the opening match-ups for Showtime’s six-man super middleweight tournament there appears on paper to be three evenly matched fights between the top fighters in the division. Absent unfortunately is IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute, who would have no doubt had as much of a chance at winning the tournament as any of the fighters. In the opening match-ups are as follows:
Andre Ward
Andre Ward
Will the Losers of the Six-Man Super Middleweight Tourney be Ruined as fighters?
Pictures courtesy of Winfried Mausolf / Sauerland Event – By Scott Gilfoid: Recently in an article at Vindy.com, WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik remarked that the six super middleweight fighters – Arthur Abraham, Jermain Taylor, Andre Ward, Andre Dirrell, Mikkel Kessler and Carl Froch – would “Ruin their careers for peanuts” by taking part in the tournament that begins later on this year in October. My immediate thoughts were that Pavlik sounded hurt and disappointed that he hadn’t been asked to participate in the tournament and was making a snap remark by devaluing something that he might actually want.
Super Middleweight Tourney Involving Froch, Kessler, Dirrell, Taylor, Ward and Abraham – News
By Jason Kim: A number of super middleweights will be getting a huge chance to prove themselves in a prospective super middleweight tournament that Showtime, the U.S. cable network, is in the planning stages to get up involving the best fighters in the division such as Mikkel Kessler, Carl Froch, Arthur Abraham, Andre Ward, Jermain Taylor and Andre Dirrell.
Warren Sees Wladimir Beating Haye – News
By Chris Williams: Promoter Frank Warren believes that IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (52-3, 46 KOs) will beat David Haye (22-1, 21 KOs) in their title match on June 20th, at the Veltins Arena, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, according to Setanta Sports. Warren feels that the 33-year-old 6’6” 245 pound Klitschko will “too big” for Haye and “too much of a boxer.”
Ward Could Be Next For Froch – News
By Sean McDaniel: If World Boxing Council super middleweight champion Carl Froch (25-0, 20 KOs) is unable to line up a fight with IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute or WBA title holder Mikkel Kessler, Froch may have the unpleasant business of having to face undefeated 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist for the United States undefeated Andre Ward (19-0, 12 KOs).
Should Miranda Retire?
By Jason Kim: After losing for the 4th time since 2006, once promising middleweight contender Edison Miranda (32-4, 28 KOs) finds himself practically at the journeyman’s status after being completely dominated by super middleweight contender Andre Ward last Saturday night in a one-sided unanimous decision loss at the Oracle Arena, in Oakland, California.
Andre Ward Outclasses Miranda Over 12 Rounds
By Sam Gregory: The May 16th edition of ShoBox; The New Generation features former 2004 Olympic Gold medalist Andre Ward who will put his undefeated record along with his NABF and NABO belts on the line against the hard hitting Columbian Edison Miranda in a scheduled 12 round bout in the super middleweight division from the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California.
Ward too Good for Miranda
By Eric Thomas: Number #2 ranked World Boxing Council super middleweight contender Andre Ward (19-0, 12 KOs) kept his perfect record intact with a convincing 12-round unanimous decision tonight over Edison Miranda (32-4, 28 KOs) at the Oracle Arena, in Oakland, California. Ward, 26, was cut over his left eye in the opening round and had to fight with the bad cut for the next 11 rounds to get the victory.
Betting Odds have Andre Ward a Clear Favorite to Beat Miranda
By Sam Gregory: Andre Ward will be making his first professional appearance in his hometown of Oakland, California this Saturday night against WBO #6 contender Edison Miranda at the Oracle Arena in Oakland. This fight will be the biggest test so far in the career of the Olympic Gold medalist from California. Undefeated Andre Ward 18-0 with 12 KO’s has been brought along slowly and with care in his 4 ½ year professional career having boxed only 89 rounds so far.
Ward vs. Miranda This Saturday Night
By Matt Stein: Unbeaten super middleweight contender Andre Ward (18-0, 12 KOs) faces the tough task of fighting the hard-hitting Colombian Edison Miranda (32-3, 28 KOs) on Saturday night at the Oracle Arena, in Oakland, California. Miranda, 28, will be effectively serving the purpose of acting as gatekeeper for the 25-year-old Ward, who needs to get by Miranda if he wants to get a shot against World Boxing Council super middleweight champion Carl Froch in the future.