Super Six tourney exemplifies extreme highs & lows of boxing

When Showtime initially announced the Super Six World Boxing Classic, a round-robin tournament featuring six of the world’s top 168-pound fighters, the boxing world released a collective gasp of anticipation and disbelief.

Boxing, a sport rife with shady promoters, shaky decisions and frightened fighters and expensive paper-per-views, had managed to surprise everyone with this tremendous tournament.

The combatants could be divided into three groups: the up-and-coming youngsters (Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell), the proven, but not-widely-seen European vets (Arthur Abraham, Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler) and the ex-champ seeking redemption (Jermaine Taylor).

With the possible exception of Lucean Bute, Showtime successfully lined up the division’s top six fighters and convince them to fight each other without rematch clauses, catchweights or promotional problems to produce a rare, concensus champion.  Plus, it wouldn’t cost a dime to Showtime subscribers.

However, despite Showtime’s best efforts, the sport’s best idea in years eventually seccumbed to the shaky business of boxing.

First Taylor was literally knocked out of the tournament after two brutal defeats.  Next, after losing his title to Ward, then winning Froch’s crown in a close bout, Kessler pulled out of the tournament, citing an eye injury.  Not surprisingly, he eye magically healed shortly after the writhdrawal.  Lastly, Dirrell withdrew due to “neurological issues” from an illegal punch vs Abraham.  He too miraculously healed and is fighting again.

But even though the patchwork competition has lost much of its luster, this weekend’s bout between Ward and Froch for the championshp should prove worthwhile.

Ward is a supreme boxer-puncher who will look to use his speed and athleticism to outbox and outpace his opponent.  Froch on the other hand is a tough, awkward and effective fighter.  He will undoubtedly be looking to hunt Ward down and try to go for the KO.

While Froch has shown more heart and determination in his bouts vs stiffer competition, it’s hard to forget the trouble he had with Dirrell during their bout in the first round of the competition.  Ward’s boxing skills are much more polished than Dirrell’s.  If he has the heart to survive Froch’s incessant pressure, Ward should be able to sneak away with a decision victory.