The Refreshing, The Modern, The Damn Amazing-Super Six World Boxing Classic

By Steve Farhood

Boxing's modern era began in 1892, and from the night John L. Sullivan laced on the first pair of gloves, very little has changed: Fans are still bemoaning the state of the heavyweight division, judges are still lambasted for handing in subjective scorecards, and fighters are still retiring ... until their next bout.

So it's nothing short of damn amazing that the Super Six World Boxing Classic introduces a concept that is unique, refreshing, and thoroughly modern.

Miracles do happen: SHOWTIME Sports GM Ken Hershman managed to not only originate the Super Six tournament, but also enlist six of boxing's top super middleweights (and their respective managers and promoters) and formulate a schedule and set of rules that was acceptable to all.

What ultimately sold the Super Six is simple: It was too good an opportunity for each fighter to pass on.

In a modified round-robin format, Mikkel Kessler, Arthur Abraham, Carl Froch, Jermain Taylor, Andre Ward, and Andre Dirrell will engage in at least three bouts each, with the fighters garnering the four highest point totals advancing to the semifinal round. (Fighters will earn three points for a KO win, two for a decisions win, and one for a draw.)

Beginning with the semifinal round, the tournament will be single-elimination.

Over the course of two years, the winner will have engaged in five bouts against championship-level opposition and won at least four of them (conceivably, a fighter could make the semis with a loss in group stage). At that point, there will be no doubt regarding the identity of the number one 168-pounder in the game.

There have been very few notable tournaments in boxing history, all single elimination. In 1968, Jimmy Ellis won an eight-fighter tournament to claim the vacant WBA heavyweight title that had been stripped from Muhammad Ali. The competition featured big names like Jerry Quarry and Floyd Patterson, but lacked credibility because of the heavyweights who were missing: Ali and undefeated Olympic gold medalist Joe Frazier.

In 1958, Virgil Akins won a five-fighter tournament to crown a successor to Carmen Basilio, who had vacated the welterweight title after dethroning middleweight champion Sugar Ray Robinson. Akins stopped Vince Martinez in the finals, scoring nine knockdowns en route.

And in 1986-'87, Don King promoted a heavyweight tournament to unify the title. Mike Tyson defeated Tony Tucker in the final, but the tournament lost credibility when Michael Spinks pulled out before the start.

And in 2001, Bernard Hopkins KO'd Felix Trinidad to win a four-fighter, single elimination tournament to unify the middleweight title.

There are a handful of subplots adding drama and intrigue to the Super Six. For starters, the super middleweight division features both depth and balance, which is reflected in the tournament; there are 15 potential matchups, and all 15 are fascinating. Secondly, two of the entrants are world titlists at this weight (Froch and Kessler), two are former world titlists at middleweight (Abraham and Taylor), and two are unbeaten Olympic medalists who have recently established themselves as legitimate contenders and championship threats (Ward and Dirrell).

The combined record of the Super Six is 163-4-1.

Moreover, since its inception in 1984, the super middleweight division has been dominated by Europeans (Kessler, Joe Calzaghe, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, Sven Ottke, Stevie Collins). The Super Six pits three Europeans (Kessler, Froch, and Abraham) against three Americans (Taylor, Ward, and Dirrell).

There will be tournament bouts on both sides of the pond, and the sense of nationalism will be pervasive throughout.

A fighter-by-fighter look at the participants:

Mikkel Kessler (WBA super middleweight champion)

The Great Dane is the tournament favorite-and rightfully so.

"Other than myself, I think he's the best," said Ward, who will face Kessler on November 21. "He's proven it by his record."

In June '08, the 30-year-old Kessler, 42-1 (32), began his second reign as WBA super middleweight champion. He's made a combined six defenses, and his only career loss came on points to Joe Calzaghe, who was arguably the greatest 168-pounder in division history. Kessler was quite competitive throughout that bout.

Kessler's edge in experience is considerable: He's faced seven different world titlists. He's a technically sound fighter with a dominant jab, a strong right hand, and a dependable chin.

His first tournament bout could prove to be his toughest: He'll face Ward in the gold medalist's home state of California.

What's In It For Kessler: Kessler isn't going to secure an opportunity to avenge his defeat to Calzaghe, who is retired. But if he wins the Super Six, he'll not only cement his status as the world's best super middleweight, but also lay claim to a place among the all-time best at 168 pounds.

Carl Froch (WBC super middleweight champion)

In his first tournament bout (October 17), Froch will defend the title vs. Dirrell at home in Nottingham, England. That could prove to be a critical advantage; while Dirrell won an Olympic medal in Athens, this will be his first professional fight outside of the USA.

The 32-year-old Froch, 25-0 (20), is peaking at the perfect time; in his two most recent bouts, he captured the vacant title in a slugfest vs. Jean Pascal (who subsequently won a share of the light heavyweight crown), and defended it on the road, coming from behind to stop Jermain Taylor with 14 seconds remaining in the 12th and final round.

His win over Taylor epitomized Froch: He's a hard man who keeps attacking and grows stronger as the fight progresses. He may also be the hardest puncher in the tournament.

What's In It For Froch: At this point, Froch is ranked a half-level below Kessler. Should Froch win the Super Six, he'll jump to the top of the division and reestablish the UK's control of the 168-pound class.

Jermain Taylor (former undisputed middleweight champion)

Tournament irony: The fighter who has accomplished the most is also the fighter who has the most to prove.

After twice defeating future hall of famer Bernard Hopkins, the 31-year-old Taylor, 28-3-1 (17), was ranked in the pound-for-pound top 10. He remains one of only two fighters to simultaneously hold all four major alphabet belts. (Hopkins is the other.)

As a middleweight titlist, Taylor made four successful defenses, including bouts vs. Winky Wright and Cory Spinks. But he's lost three of his last four, including the stoppage vs. Froch in the only bout to date between tournament entrants.

What's In It For Taylor: If Taylor lasted 14 more seconds against Froch, he'd be labeled one of the tournament favorites. Instead, he's the only Super Six fighter coming off a loss. Taylor wants to prove he's not on the downside of his accomplished career. Having a minimum of three guaranteed fights-win, lose or draw-against the world's elite is a dream scenario for the American star. And while he's already enjoyed a sterling career, he continues to seek a lasting superstar legacy.

Andre Dirrell

In comparison to the five other entrants, Dirrell lacks a strong resume; his biggest wins have come against fringe contenders Anthony Hanshaw and Victor Oganov. But the switch-hitter is overflowing with speed, size, natural ability, and potential. It speaks volumes about the balance of the Super Six that should Dirrell upset Froch, he'll advance from tournament longshot to co-favorite.

The 27-year-old Dirrell, 18-0 (13), analyzes the bout in the simplest of terms: "I have speed, he has power."

Dirrell has one other advantage: Judging by Froch's bouts vs. Pascal and Taylor, we know what to expect from him. But Dirrell has never been seriously pushed or tested.

On October 17, we'll find out just how good he can be.

What's In It For Dirrell: With Hollywood looks, an illuminating smile, and a magnetic personality, Dirrell has the stuff of a transcendental star. The Super Six is the perfect vehicle to establish him as such. But while en route, he'll have to prove he can overcome a challenging jump in class.

Arthur Abraham (former middleweight champion)

King Arthur is the tournament's x-factor. Abraham is naturally smaller than the other fighters, but he proved himself at 168 pounds by crushing Edison Miranda last year. Add his perfect record, lengthy reign as IBF middleweight titlist (10 successful defenses), and home court advantage vs. first-round opponent Taylor, and perhaps he should be considered among the favorites.

The 29-year-old Abraham, 30-0 (24), is an Armenian who is based in Germany. His style is unique: He covers up, steps back, and allows his opponent to punch away, then rallies with devastating powerpunches.

"His speed gave me more problems than that of Shane Mosley," said former junior middleweight titlist Raul Marquez.

What's In It For Abraham: The defining fight of Abraham's career-a showdown with middleweight titlist Kelly Pavlik-never materialized. As a result, Abraham has secured star status only in Europe. The Super Six is his opportunity to establish worldwide acclaim, his dominance in a second weight class and a lasting greatness.

Andre Ward (2004 Olympic Gold Medalist)

For the most recent American boxer to win Olympic gold, the Super Six is coming at a perfect time. In May, Ward cracked the top 10 by convincingly outpointing Edison Miranda, and in September, he tuned up by annihilating Shelby Pudwill.

At 25, Ward, 20-0 (13), is the youngest fighter in the draw. He's a switch-hitting boxer who has displayed a variety of styles in the ring, something that will undoubtedly help him in the tournament. But what separates Ward from many of boxing's most gifted young fighters are the intangibles: He's poised, determined, focused, and mature.

The bad news: Ward faces Kessler in his first tournament bout. The good news: He does so at home.

What's In It For Ward: When you win an Olympic gold medal for America, you're instantly measured against the likes of Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Michael Spinks, Pernell Whitaker, and Oscar De La Hoya. Winning the Super Six won't make Ward a legend, but it would be a huge step in that direction.

Let the games begin...