Compiled by Brian Wilbur

This Saturday night, March 27^th, the Super Six tournament continues.  Points leader and former Middleweight Champion from Germany Arthur Abraham will take on American contender Andre Dirrell.  Abraham began the tournament as an established star and was toted as one of the favorites.  He lived up to those high expectations by scoring a KO over Jermain Taylor in the first round of the tournament.  Dirrell, who entered the tournament as a promising but unproven prospect, lost a controversial decision to Carl Froch in the first round.  Dirrell is looking for redemption and to put points on the board against a very strong opponent in Abraham. 

Dirrell has the hometown advantage this time, with the fight being hosted in his home state of Michigan.  Arthur has fought most of his matches in Germany but he once previously fought in the United States, recording an impressive 4^th round TKO against Edison Miranda.  Abraham is the most polished of the Super Six contestants and thus is considered a slight betting favorite.  Dirrell though, has tremendous upside and if his performance on Saturday comes close to matching his potential and talent, then we could have an upset on our hands.  The team of writers at RSR offer their predictions. 

Mike “Rubber Warrior” Plunkett

Despite all of the hoopla and potential, Andre Dirrell hasn’t demonstrated that he can operate in the lion’s den.  Arthur Abraham has.  Look for Abraham to catch-up to Dirrell later in the fight and either force him to cooperate or stop him in the process.

Geno McGahee

Arthur Abraham is a beast and will be too strong for the speedy Dirrell.  Look for Abraham to control the fight, cornering Dirrrell, and eventually stopping him, somewhere in the later rounds.  Abraham TKO -10.

“Bad” Brad Berkwitt

Arthur A. by TKO in six.

Jeff Stoyanoff

Abraham is going to see some things here that he hasn’t seen before when he faces Andre Dirrell.  Dirrell is very long and fast and moves with considerable fluidity.  Abraham has been impressive, particularly of late, but this is the sternest test of his career.  Dirrell will control distance better than Taylor did and should do a better job of limiting offensive opportunities for the smaller Abraham.  It should be a close fight on the cards, but I look for Dirrell to spring the minor upset here and emerge with a tight decision victory.

Gina L. Caliboso

Dirrell needs to constantly attack Abraham and hurt him.  Although Abraham’s defense is quite effective, Dirrell needs to trade and fight.  Dirrell faces a tougher challenge in Abraham so he can’t be tentative and wait for an opening.  He must create an offense and take it to Abraham.  But this is where I don’t quite know what to expect with Dirrell.  It will be a close fight and since Abraham won his first fight against Taylor in the closing seconds of the final round, I expect a battle.  My prediction: Dirrell by 12 round split decision.

Joe Wilson

If Dirrell chooses to box and not get into exchanges with Abraham, he wins this fight by late stoppage or unanimous cecision.  If Dirrell chooses to exchange and go toe-to toe with Abraham, he gets KO’ed by Abraham in 9 rounds.

Eion Redahan

I thought Andre Dirrell did just about enough to deserve the decision against Froch, but he did himself no favors by continually holding and running from a fight.  Arthur Abraham is a different proposition to Froch though.  He has a far better defense, he is a better boxer; and he is stronger.  Dirrell will have some success in the early rounds before Abraham’s vicious body punching slows him right down.  I see Abraham winning by late TKO.  

SJ Jarapa

Abraham by controversial decision.

Dan “Tex” Cohen

I love the super middleweight tourney.  The parity is beautiful.  Every man had a fairly good shot against any other, and his tactics are unique in that respect.  Arthur Abraham is a methodical fighter with the ability to counter as well as come forward.  I expect Dirrell to create similar problems for him; this is much closer to a pick ‘em fight than people think.  Abraham and Dirrell will fight to a near draw, but I expect Arthur to eke it out by way of unanimous decision.

Brian Wilbur

I’m not on the Andre Dirrell bandwagon yet.  I’m taking Arthur Abraham to win this one handily, probably by decision. 

Geoff “The Professor” Poundes

Abraham is one of those guys who always seems to find a way, but I felt at the start of the Super Six that he might struggle with the size and weight of some of the other guys – and certainly before he lowered the boom on Taylor he had his hands full.  Given that we know that Taylor is fragile late in a fight I think Abraham’s win might be misleading.  Dirrell on the hand will have learnt a great deal from his loss to Froch, and has undoubted talent.  I’m going to stick my neck out and take Dirrell to win a close decision.

Final Tally

Arthur Abraham – 7

Andre Dirrell – 3

Noncommittal – 1

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