We've Only Just Begun
Steve Farhood on what we learned in GS1 and where we're headed in GS2
To the fighters who are competing in the Super Six World Boxing Classic and the fans who are watching, I recommend the same thing: Take a deep breath because we've only just begun.
The first Group Stage of the modified round-robin tournament is complete, and Group Stage 2 will commence in the New Year. So what have we learned from the first three bouts, and what can we anticipate as the modified round-robin tournament continues?
* There are 15 potential matchups - and not a bad one in the bunch: More than any other factor, competitive balance figured to make the Super Six tournament a success, and Group Stage 1 confirmed just that. For 11+ rounds, and until the sudden and spectacular ending, Arthur Abraham-Jermain Taylor was a reasonably close fight. Carl Froch-Andre Dirrell was decided by a split decision that could've gone either way. And while Andre Ward-Mikkel Kessler was one-sided, it was dominated by the underdog.
* Form held - but not for long: The European contingent was favored, and after Germany-based Abraham and England's Froch both won on October 17, Kessler figured to complete a first-round sweep.
At the start, oddsmaker Danny Sheridan made Abraham and Kessler co-tournament favorites, but given the quality of the latter's resume, Kessler was widely perceived as the strongest entrant in the field. Conversely, Ward had beaten Edison Miranda and nobody else who had really mattered.
No worry.
Five years ago, Ward was the last American standing at the Olympic Games in Athens and won the USA's only gold medal by rallying over the last two rounds against Magomed Aripgadjiev of Belarus.
Against Kessler, Ward carried an American flag into the ring and again embraced the pressure by frustrating his opponent, breaking him down, and winning a unanimous technical decision.
Just like that, Ward advanced from tournament outsider to co-favorite.
In the 1967-'68 WBA heavyweight tournament, the underdog won all seven bouts. Be sure Ward-Kessler won't be the last upset of the Super Six.
* Home field was indeed an advantage: Statistics confirm that winning on the road - especially in world title fights - is an extremely difficult task to accomplish. Group Stage 1 provided further evidence of that.
The decision in Froch-Dirrell was certainly arguable, but the fact is that the hometown fighter emerged victorious.
In Oakland, Kessler felt that referee Jack Reiss was lenient regarding hometown fighter Ward's holding, and inaccurate in ruling mid- and late-round head butts accidental.
"I'm not used to that," Kessler told Jim Gray during the SHOWTIME post-fight interview.
That's another way of saying that he believes the officiating might have been different had the bout taken place in, say, Copenhagen.
I'm sure the butts weren't intentional, and I agree with my colleague Al Bernstein, who said he didn't believe them to be the deciding factors in the bout. (Ward's speed and defense were far more significant.) Regardless, Kessler suffered nasty cuts over both eyes, and by the finish, he was not only beaten, but also badly battered.
* Every Super Six point could prove critical: Over the course of the three group stages, the fighters have a singular goal: reaching the semifinals. By securing an extra point for his last-round stoppage of Taylor, Abraham (three points) stands in first place. As a result, one win in his next two fights will undoubtedly land him in the final four.
Moreover, there's a possibility that a fighter who loses his first two bouts will still make the semifinals by scoring a stoppage in Group Stage 3.
A fight-by-fight look at Group Stage 2:
* Andre Ward vs. Jermain Taylor: Having beaten Kessler, Ward now has the easiest remaining draw; he faces Taylor and then, in Group Stage 3, Olympic teammate Dirrell.
Avoiding Froch and especially Abraham until the semifinals or finals would seem a formula for tournament survival, sort of like skipping the hotels on Park Place and Boardwalk by rolling an 11 and advancing directly to Go.
Taylor suffered a brutal KO at the hands of Abraham. His bout with Ward figures to feature far more boxing than slugging, and at his best, Taylor has the speed and skills to outpoint any super middleweight in the world.
The trouble is, Taylor is no longer at his best. All he can try to do is prove he hasn't fallen too far.
Advantage: Ward
* Carl Froch vs. Mikkel Kessler: For my taste, this is the most intriguing matchup in Group Stage 2.
There are plenty of questions to consider: How badly damaged was Kessler by the Ward fight? Will he rebound physically and/or psychologically? Has he gotten old overnight? Or was Ward simply that good?
It's almost impossible to believe, but should Froch win, Kessler could be shut out of the semifinals.
Then again, Froch barely got by Dirrell, and that was in the WBC titlist's hometown of Nottingham. Maybe Kessler's return to Denmark will turn out to be a deciding factor in the tournament's first all-European matchup.
I realize I'm employing 20-20 hindsight when I suggest that Froch is a better style matchup for Kessler. Ward was too fast and mobile for the Dane. Froch hits harder than Ward, but Kessler's chin has never been in question. In fact, he's never been down.
Because of what happened in Oakland, there'll be a heightened sense of urgency when Froch and Kessler square off. I'm picking Kessler to win.
Advantage: Even
* Arthur Abraham vs. Andre Dirrell: At this point, I don't think anyone wants to fight Abraham. His peekaboo style doesn't seem that difficult to solve, but he is 31-0, so looks are indeed deceiving.
The most remarkable thing about King Arthur is that he gives away early rounds, yet in his distance fights, almost always wins comfortably. The keys to beating him: Force him to fight inside, and when he suddenly opens fire, stand your ground and counterpunch.
No one's been able to do it yet.
In narrowly losing to Froch, Dirrell showed flashes of his potential. Had he fought in the early and middle rounds with the sense of purpose he displayed in the 11th and 12th, he would've won by decision. (Scoring off television, I had him a point in front.)
If and when Dirrell manages to meld his extraordinary physical gifts with confidence and ring maturity, he'll grow into a special fighter. But if he wants to reach the semifinals, he's going to have to start now.
Tall and mobile, Dirrell doesn't excel at close range, so look for him to stick and move against Abraham. He'll be ahead at the halfway mark, but lots of Abraham's victims found themselves in a similar position. How Dirrell responds when Abraham accelerates will determine the outcome.
Advantage: Abraham
Let the games begin...
Features
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Boxing fans are still buzzing about the Super Six tournament and the electrifying match between Mikkel Kessler and Andre Ward. Check out the highlights from every round of this historic fight!
- WATCH VIDEO

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In the latest episode of Fight Camp 360°, the all-access coverage continues. Tempers flare between Froch and Dirrell, while the fight camps of Mikkel Kessler and Andre Ward prepare for November 21st.
- WATCH FULL EPISODE

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Showtime Sports brings you the highlights from the first stage of the Super Six tournament. See what the boxing world is buzzing about in this recap of Abraham vs. Taylor and Froch vs. Dirrell.
- SEE THE VIDEO
- VISIT THE EVENT PAGE

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A unique look at the Super Six World Boxing Classic fighters, through the lens of photographer Howard Schatz.
- VIEW PHOTOS
RELATED CLIPS

Weigh-in: Kessler vs. Ward

Kick-off Video: Kessler vs. Ward

Feature: Andre Ward

Feature: Mikkel Kessler

Fight Camp 360°: Kessler vs. Ward

News Brief: Kessler vs. Ward

Kessler vs. Ward: Preview

Highlights from Stage One

Dual Weigh-In Ceremonies

Super Six: News Update from Europe

Knockout Punches from the Super Six

The World's Greatest Trophy Makers

Jermain Taylor: I Am a Fighter

Farhood on the Super Six

Clash of Supermiddleweights

The Six Speak!

World Boxing Classic
All Fighters
Carl Froch
FIGHTER PROFILEAndre Dirrll
FIGHTER PROFILEArthur Abraham
FIGHTER PROFILEJermain Taylor
FIGHTER PROFILEAndre Ward
FIGHTER PROFILEMikkel Kessler
FIGHTER PROFILE
News Links
- Ward Lets Fists Do the Talking (LA Times)
- Reviewing the Super Six (Ringsidereport.com)
- Froch Finds a Friend in Great Dane Mikkel Kessler (DailyMail.com)
- Super Six Ready for Stage 2 (Bleacher Report.com)
- Carl Froch's Super Six Date with Mikkel Kessler is 'Massive' (DailyPost.com)
- Ward-Taylor on For April (Boxing Scene)
- World Boxing Classic Resumes (BlackAthlete.net)
- Reflections of Ward-Kessler (Doghouse Boxing)
- Dibella Quits on Jermain Taylor (SI.com)
- No Decision On Taylor's Decision (USA Today)
- Trainer Says No Word Yet on Jermain Taylor's Future (ArkansasBusiness.com)
- Jermain Taylor to Fight On Without Dibella (The Sweet Science)
- Ward vs. Taylor: Jermain May Decide Soon (BoxingScene)
- DiBella resigns as Taylor's promoter (ESPN.com)
- Tough Love for Taylor and DiBella (Boxing Scene)
- Dibella Drops Taylor (New York Fight Hype)
- Shocking News From Dibella (411maina.com)
- Taylor-Dibella Part Ways (Bad Left Hook)
- Froch to Fight Kessler in April in Demark (New York Times)
- Scandal-plagued Victor Conte Now Helping Ward (Los Angeles Times)
- Abraham and Dirrell to Battle March 6 (ESPN.com)
- Carl to Face Kessler Test (The Sun)
- Carl Froch lines up title defence against Denmark's Mikkel Kessler (guardian.com)
- Carl Froch to fight Mikkel Kessler in Copenhagen (BBC)
- Andre Ward: "Fight Turned Out Just How We Envisioned" (EastSide Boxing)
- Fight Veteran Getting Back in the Game at Agua Caliente (Las Vegas Journal-Review)
- Come On, Shouldn't Bute Be in the Super Six Tourney (The Sweet Science)
- Super Six Group Stage 2 Finalized (15 Rounds)
- Super Six Set for March (411 Mania)
- Super Six Stage 2 Set (Fight News USA)
- Carl Froch Honored by BBC (BBC.com)
- King Arthur Showdown with Dirrell Pushed Back (Times of India)
- Abraham-Dirrell Set for March 6 (Box News)
- Dirrell Needs to Fight More Positive This Time (Boxing News)
- Andre Ward boxing match did not disappoint (Oakland Tribune)
- Froch rocked by Kessler flop (The Sun)
- Abraham vs. Dirrell: Andre should beat Arthur (Boxing News 24)
- How would Calzaghe do in the Super Six tournament? (Boxing News 24)
- Super Six World Boxing Classic update (Media Mind Field)
- Ward's rules: Andre Ward beats favored Mikkel Kessler for WBA middleweight world championship (San Francisco Bay View)
- Trainer: No decision yet on Taylor's future (USA Today)
- Taylor may quit the Super Six (The Sun)
- Boxing: Trainer says no word yet on Jermain Taylor's future (Arkansas Sports 360)
- Boxing King Arthur Abraham denies flu rumor; on schedule for Dirrell fight (Armenia Now)
- Boxing's version of the Ryder Cup, Europe vs. USA. Who wins? (Boxing News 24)
- Ward vs. Taylor: Jermain may decide next week (Boxing Scene)
- Boxing's biggest hog fan at crossroads (KY 3 Hog Insider)
- Andre Ward not resting on laurels (Liver Puncher)
- Andre Ward press breakfast (Fight News)
- Ten rounds - Round 4, The Warden (Bragging Rights Corner)
- Ward ready for Taylor (Fight News)
- Ward looks sharp in cutting up Kessler (ESPN)
- Mikkel Kessler insists he'll bounce back and beat Britain's Carl Froch (Daily Mail)
- Super Six second stage taking form (Bad Left Hook)
- Ward humiliates Kessler (Boxing News 24)
- Re-handicapping the Super Six field (Boxing Watchers)
- Mikkel Kessler loss denies Carl Froch unification fight (Mirror)
- Carl Froch lies in wait after Andre Ward upsets odds to defeat Mikkel Kessler (Times Online)
- Super Six supernatural (8 Count News)
- Ward beats, heads Kessler into submission (Copenhagen Post)
- Kessler vows to bounce back against Froch (This is Nottingham)
- The Andre Ward experience (411 Mania)
- The Son of God defeats Mikkel Kessler to win WBA middleweight crown (Bleacher Report)
- Ward proves mettle, captures first title
- Andre Ward Stuns Mikkel Kessler in Front of Home Crowd
- Ward Defeats Kessler
- Andre Ward Shakes Up The "Super-Six" - Now Who's The Favourite?
- Ward Owns Kessler, Puts U.S. Back In The Super Six
- Ward Claims Kessler's WBA Title in 11th Round
- 'It's My Time,' Andre Ward Says After Dethroning Mikkel Kessler
- Ware Dethrones Kessler By Technical Decision In Super 6 Showdown
- Ward Claims Mikkels' Crown
- Andre Ward Thrashes Mikkel Kessler for WBA's 168-pound Title
- Ward Grabs WBA Title
- Ward claims Kessler's WBA Title in 11th Round
- Ward Claims Super Middleweight Belt With Win Over Kessler
- Ward beats Kessler For WBA Super-middleweight Title
- Superb Ward Takes Kessler's Title
- Poole: Andre Ward Scores 11-round Technical Decision
- Super Six So Far
- Ward Claims Kessler's WBA title in 11th Round
- Oakland's Andre Ward Stops Mikkel Kessler for WBA Title
- Abraham, Froch, Taylor, Direll Pick Kessler-Ward
- Al Bernstein On Boxing: Best For Last In Stage One?
- Kessler camp unhappy with officials for Ward bout
- Can Ward Take A Punch? We'll Find Out
- Super Six: World Boxing Classic Resumes
- The Super Six: Kessler vs. Ward Analysis and Outcome Prediction
- The Super Six Aids Boxing's Continiued Revitalization
- Kessler Just As Hungry As Ward
- Andre Ward Bio: Andre Ward Vs. Mikkel Kessler Fight Odds
- USA hopes riding on Ward (USA Today)
- Kessler-Ward official's conflict resolved (AOL Fanhouse)
- The Super Six continues: Mikkel Kessler and Andre Ward square off in Oakland (Ringside Report)
- Mikkel Kessler settles judge dispute; fight against Ward on (Oakland Tribune)
- Showtime Boxing schedule (CBS Sports)
- Kessler all set for Ward defence (BBC)
- Kessler-Ward officials set (Fight News)
- Super Six predictions (Fight News)
- Andre Ward vs. Mikkel Kessler on Saturday (The Sweet Science)
- Dirrell picks Ward, Taylor hedges, Euros go with Kessler (The Sweet Science)
- Ward carries torch (15 Rounds)
- Q&A with Mikkel Kessler (15 Rounds)
- Ward vs. Kessler is youth vs. experience (AOL Fanhouse)
- Ward meets Kessler in Oakland's first world title fight in 42 years on Showtime (Eastside Boxing)
- Andre Ward Meets Mikkel Kessler In Oakland's First World Title Fight in 42 Years on SHOWTIME (Doghouse Boxing)
- Forty-Two Years Have Passed Since Last World Title Fight in Oakland(Max Boxing)
- Super Six Tournament: Stage 2/3 brackets and scoreboard (Boxing Scene)
- Carl Froch: I'm hoping Kessler beats Ward (Eastside Boxing)
- Bernstein to preview Ward vs. Kessler (Eastside Boxing)
- Bernstein high on Kessler-Ward (Fight News)
- Has Pac-Man fever gobbled up Super Six momentum? (Boxing Scene)
- Ward and Kessler face world of challenges (Fight News)
- The Super Six renew boxing in Oakland (Seconds Out)
- The hype begins for Kessler vs. Ward (NY Newsday)
- Ward fights for country and a belt (San Jose Mercury News and Contra Costa Times)
- The week ahead and order the turkey before they run out - Saturday (San Francisco Chronicle)
- Super Six Classic (Miami Herald)
- John Whisler's view from the corner - fight preview (San Antonio Express)
- Kessler-Ward: I feel sorry for Mikkel (Boxing News 24)
- Kessler-Ward: will this be the beginning of the end for Mikkel? (Boxing News 24)
- Taylor to fight on in Super Six tournament (Fight Hype)
- Tale of the tape Kessler vs. Ward (Fight Hype)
- Showtime's Fight Camp 360, episode 2 (Newsday)
- Oakland boxer Andre Ward isn't worried about being the underdog vs. Mikkel Kessler (Contra Costa Times)
- Fight Camp 360 Episode 2 (Fight News)
- Watch Fight Camp 360 (Doghouse Boxing)
- Episode #2 Fight Camp 360 premieres Saturday (Eastside Boxing)
- WBA King Mikkel Kessler invades challenger Andre Ward's hometown (AOL Fanhouse)
- Hometown hero Andre Ward looks to dethrone WBA's Mikkel Kessler (AOL Fanhouse)
- Ward, Kessler: respectful & ready (Fight News)
- Kessler/Ward conference call quotes and notes (Boxing Scene
- Mikkel Kessler's letter to the fans (Mandatory Defense Boxing)
- Shaw trying for Dirrell-Froch rematch in December (Boxing News 24)
- Mikkel Kessler, Andre Ward feel pressure (AOL Fanhouse)
- Calzaghe responds to Froch, hopes Kessler beats Ward (Boxing Scene)
- Kessler vs. Ward preview and prediction (Pro Boxing Fans)
- Froch-Dirrell: Enough already (Boxing News 24)
- Let's keep Carl Froch's narrow win against Andre Dirrell in perspective (Bleacher Report)
- Wondering about those Carl Froch-Andre Dirrell scorecards? Here they are (MVN)
- Will someone shut up Carl Froch? (Boxing News 24)
- Carl Froch vs. Andre Dirrell Photo Gallery (The Boxing Bulletin)
- Froch buttons up on ITV1 (Boxeo Mundial)
- Digesting the Super Six (Eastside Boxing)
- Showtime deserves the accolades it has received (Ring Online)
- Super Six video highlights (Fight News)
- Fighter Froch remains unbeaten (Hackney Gazette)
- Froch may travel for Kessler clash (ESPN Star)
- Cobra won't fool Kessler (Express)
- Taylor: A career at the crossroads (Black Athlete)
- Abraham: The King still beatable? (411 Mania)
- Carl Froch relishing the challenge of the Super Six (This is Nottingham)
- Kessler aims to dominate in boxing's latest battle (Bet Fair)
- Super Six right for boxing (Ringside Report)
- Froch: Andre Dirrell tried to steal a decision (Boxing Scene)
- Full View Super-6, Taylor, and Abraham (8 Count News)
- Kessler vs. Ward: The moral finale (Boxing News 24)
- Al Bernstein reflects on 30 years of boxing commentating (Las Vegas Sun)
- The Super Six on SHOWTIME is a knockout: a recap (Ringside Report)
- Is Andre too green for Mikkel? (Boxing News 24)
- Mikkel is going to have to be in top form to win (Boxing News 24)
- Can Froch win the Super Six? (Boxing News 24)
- Showing "negativity" (15 Rounds)
- Abraham-Dirrell staying in the USA (Boxing Talk)
- Styles make fights: Dirrell schooled Froch (Boxing News 24)
- Barry McGuigan says Dirrell beat Carl Froch, also predicts a Dirrell win over Abraham (Eastside Boxing)
- As Hall of Fame calls, Bernstein takes time to reflect (Daily Breeze)
- De La Hoya Blog: I've been in Taylor's position (Ring Online)
- A brief commentary on "The Super Six Tournament" (Doghouse Boxing)
- Andre Ward: Taylor couldn't avoid fatal punch because of technical mistake (PanArmenian)
- Boxing's New Hub - The Future (Eastside Boxing)
- Froch just doesn't fit (The Sun)
- Showtime Exec 'Thrilled' After Early Bouts (Fanhouse)
- Super Six random thoughts (Max Boxing)
- Abraham's big night (Ring Online)
- Shaw: Maybe we should have traded from round one (Boxing News 24)
- Abraham arrives at super middleweight (Ring Online)
- Abraham, Froch notch Super victories (ESPN)
- Andre Dirrell Next For Arthur Abraham - How Will "King Arthur" Cope With "The Matrix?"
- Kessler-Ward: Can Andre pull off the upset? (Boxing News 24)
- More Abraham-Taylor notes (Fight News)
- Froch sees off Dirrell and prepares for war with Kessler (Guardian)
- The Super Six begins: Post-fight report cards (Boxing Scene)
- Taylor released after severe concussion (ESPN)
- Taylor out of the hospital (ESPN)
- Froch Delivers Dirrell First Loss (AOL Fanhouse)
- King Abraham Stops Jermain Taylor (AOL Fanhouse)
- Abraham Stops Taylor in Final Round (Associated Press)
- Dirrell Loses Split Decision (Flint Journal)
- Froch Holds Onto WBC Super Middleweight Belt (AFP)
- Abraham-Froch Score Huge Super Six Wins (FoxSports.com)
- Froch Dissatisfied After Points Win Over Dirrell (BBC Sport)
- Andre Dirrell Next for Arthur Abraham (Eastside Boxing)
- Froch Edges Dirrell (Ring Online)
- Froch: "I want to Beat the Best" (Mirror.com)
- Dirrell Outfoxed, Not Ouboxed (Sweet Science)
- Super Six Opens With a Bang (FightNews)
- Abraham KOs Taylor With Just 11 Seconds Remaining (MaxBoxing)
- Super Start To Super Six (NY Newsday)
- Abraham's Goal Is To Book U.S. Mega-Fight (NY Post)
- Euros 2, Yanks 0 (Ring Online)
- Europe 2, USA O In Super Six (Eastside Boxing)
- Froch Splits Dirrell, Abraham Drills Taylor (Boxing Scene)
- Froch Takes Tough Split Decision Over Dirrell (Associated Press/USA Today)
- Abraham Stops Taylor In 12th To Open Super Six (Associated Press/USA Today)
- Froch Retains Title On Split Decision (AOL Fanhouse)
- Froch Barely Outpoints Impressive Dirrell (Sweet Science)
- Abraham Eases To Victory (Sporting Life)
- Froch Splits Taylor (Eastside Boxing)
- "King Abraham Stops Taylor (AOL Fanhouse)
- King Arthur Knocks Out Taylor (Agence France Presse)
- King Arthur Conquers Taylor (Sky Sports)
- Super Smackdown: Abraham Takes Out Taylor (Sweet Science)
- Mikkel Kessler: "I Was Most Impressed By Abraham" (Boxing Scene)
- Froch Deals Dirrell First Loss (AOL Fanhouse)
- Taylor says he's tip-top for Super Six (ESPN)
- Super Six resurrects ghosts of past greatness (Boxing Talk)
- Carl Froch is ready to teach Andre Dirrell a lesson (The Sun)
- Froch ready as ever to take on Dirrell (MaxBoxing)
- Dirrell talks up Super Six prospects (Sporting Life)
- Carl Froch road to greatness starts again on Saturday night against Andre Dirrell (Telegraph)
- Taylor dismissive of King Arthur (MSN)
- Froch wary of Dirrell threat (Mirror)
- Relaxed Froch ready for Dirrell bout (BBC)
- Froch primed for Dirrell battle (BBC)
- Froch: Dirrell looks gaunt (Fight News)
- Super middleweight tournament kicks off (About.com)
- The Super Six - A Leap of Faith
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