Froch-Dirrell

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

So this 1s on in October as part of the 6-fighter. I've just been watching Dirrell and he looks like he might be something special but this will certainly be his acid test. Very fast hands, sharp counter puncher, slick and seems to have some very useful power against Hanshaw/Oganov. I don't fancy Froch's hands down defense against Dirrell, obviously he's managed to pul it off against Pascal and Taylor so maybe he can do it against this kid too. Froch needs to be able to KO or bully Dirrell and am not sure he will. Dirrell does have a good defense but then again Hanshaw caught him a good few times flush

I reckon Dirrell will take it, but as its his acid test he might well got sparked himself

[The Law]

Dirrell is rather slick, has good movement and very fast hands. He doesn't possess one punch knockout power though. I'll be surprised if Froch beats Dirrell on points, Froch's best hope will be a stoppage win.

[josh fg]

I wonder do people ever get bored of writing posts about how Froch's hands down style will get him found out. I remember posts saying so about Pascal, Taylor, Dodson, and even Porres and now the same about some kid who's last win was six round against someone who had won only 13 of 15 fights all against mediocre opposition.

I'd like him to be sharper sometimes and have his hands up but I think people make too much of it because they underestimate Froch's sense of distance. He is also one of the few 32 year old fighters I've watched who are improving with the fights.

Froch has mixed at a high level in his last 10 fights and has scored KO's in 8 of them the company he has mixed in including two former world champions, the current world light heavyweight champion and a guy in Mathew barney who'd come off being robbed in a fight for the European light heavyweight crown.

[El Raincoat]

Dirrell is exceptionally quick and a better boxer than Froch who needs to jump on Dirrell. If Dirrell finds his stride it could be a looooooooooong night for Froch.

[josh fg]

Dirrell is exceptionally quick and a better boxer than Froch who needs to jump on Dirrell. If Dirrell finds his stride it could be a looooooooooong night for Froch.

Faster hands and better boxing skills than Taylor?

[The Law]

Dirrell is exceptionally quick and a better boxer than Froch who needs to jump on Dirrell. If Dirrell finds his stride it could be a looooooooooong night for Froch.

Faster hands and better boxing skills than Taylor?

Dirrell definitely possesses faster hands than Taylor and is more active (for example, have a look at the first round of his fight against Oganov). However I don't think he punches hard enough to stop Froch (..... but you never know what can happen in the later rounds). Froch punches harder, there's no doubt about that.

[Asterix]

Unless Froch lands a good one early it's another "in the trenches" fight. I've called Dirrell mentally weak in the past. Let's see if I'm wrong.

[josh fg]

Dirrell is exceptionally quick and a better boxer than Froch who needs to jump on Dirrell. If Dirrell finds his stride it could be a looooooooooong night for Froch.

Faster hands and better boxing skills than Taylor?

Dirrell definitely possesses faster hands than Taylor and is more active (for example, have a look at the first round of his fight against Oganov). However I don't think he punches hard enough to stop Froch (..... but you never know what can happen in the later rounds). Froch punches harder, there's no doubt about that.

I just watched these highlights of the Oganov fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooMdGA1UimY) can't say I was that impressed, he seemed tired in the fith round and I think he was fortuitouse that Oganov was a much shorter fighter who was seemingly always in his range I dread to think what froch would have done with Oganov (or what we would have fought of froch fighting someone who'd mixed in such poor company. Not sure how Froch will deal with the switch hitting but I think the poor stamina and low caliber of opponents will mean an easy enough night for Carl. I'm going to predict Froch KO 6.

[ArtOfWar]

I wonder do people ever get bored of writing posts about how Froch's hands down style will get him found out. I remember posts saying so about Pascal, Taylor, Dodson, and even Porres and now the same about some kid who's last win was six round against someone who had won only 13 of 15 fights all against mediocre opposition.

I'd like him to be sharper sometimes and have his hands up but I think people make too much of it because they underestimate Froch's sense of distance. He is also one of the few 32 year old fighters I've watched who are improving with the fights.

Froch has mixed at a high level in his last 10 fights and has scored KO's in 8 of them the company he has mixed in including two former world champions, the current world light heavyweight champion and a guy in Mathew barney who'd come off being robbed in a fight for the European light heavyweight crown.

Sense of distance? In his last two fights which have been his only two fights against world class opposition, he's been hit at will. His first line of defense has been his face.

I want Froch to do well as much as anyone, because he's shown he's willing to take on all comers and that's great for British boxing. However, his chin isn't gonna hold up forever when he's taking so many punches, so something needs to be done about his defense.

Dirrell is inexperienced, but he's fast, slick and very skillful. He going to be a major headache for Froch.

[Autobarn]

it could be a tricky one. dirrel could make froch look completely handcuffed - for a while - due to speed and switch hitting.

i'm just not sure dirrell can stick with a sensible game plan that will get him through the fight unscathed. i've seen dirrell take a knee a few times if he's stuck in a corner and thinks an opponent is going to catch him.

as quick and dynamic as dirrell is, i think he's missing something. loads of raw talent but looks like one of those guys who coud implode at any moment.

[ArtOfWar]

it could be a tricky one. dirrel could make froch look completely handcuffed - for a while - due to speed and switch hitting.

i'm just not sure dirrell can stick with a sensible game plan that will get him through the fight unscathed. i've seen dirrell take a knee a few times if he's stuck in a corner and thinks an opponent is going to catch him.

as quick and dynamic as dirrell is, i think he's missing something. loads of raw talent but looks like one of those guys who coud implode at any moment.

I know what you mean, and his technique can go out the window if he's put under pressure which I saw in one of his amateur fights. But Taylor showed that Froch can be totally outboxed for large periods of a fight, and Dirrell is slick enough and tricky enough to do that if he's mentally prepared. It's a good matchup, i'm looking forward to it.

[MightyWarrior]

Looks a good one doesn't it. Dirrell looks to have blindingly fast hands, and no doubt will make Froch look like he's in a different time zone early on, but 12 rounds is a long time to keep that up, and Froch wont be going anywhere.

And we should take into account that Carl really froze for the first half of the Taylor fight, he really looked like a rabbit in the headlights - not surprising though, taking on a fighter of Taylor's quality, away from home, with so much at stake.

He'll be much more relaxed and confident for this one. Plus he's at home and he's already passed his acid test.

[Twinkle Toes]

The cracks where there to see in Froch's last fight.

I would think he has enough to get by Dirrell because of the home support and the ability to drag Dirrell out of his game, but I don't think he'll do much else in this tournament.

I would go as far to say that Froch has already seen his best days.

[Autobarn]

that's a bit pessimistic for a fighter who has put so much on the line and got the results against difficult opponents.

froch has a lot to offer in this tournament.

[Twinkle Toes]

Oh he'll make the tournament a much better place, but that doesnt equal winning it...not in my eyes anyway.

[whiskey]

Froch has proven all his attributes.

People need to realise it wasn't a vintage Froch against Taylor, especially with an ulcerated cornea that almost got him pulled 48 hours previously.

Also southpaw's struggle to dent Froch with their big left hand as Froch may carry his left low, but his right hand is usually up there tucked under his chin.

Dirrell with have plenty of joy with his jab (and by god he'll need it).

I predict this fight has come too soon for the American, especially given it will be in Froch's hometown.

The Cobra fans will be raucous for this one and it will certainly spur on Froch and unsettle Dirrell.

I think people forget how much of a difference, home advantage is.

[My Name Is Earl]

^ agree 100%. Home advantage pretty crucial at this level. Froch/Paschal, Calzaghe/Kess could have been two different outcomes.

[leforge]

Is this going to be shown on itv?

[lurkyshaka]

People judge Froch a bit too harshly on that Taylor fight.....truth is he was having his customary slow start, was just starting to find the range and then got dropped by a bomb. It took him some time to get over the shock and he generally fought a poor fight. When he jabbed and used his skill, he was in control. But all too often he forgot his boxing, just sought to load up and found himself caught with counters. Thankfully he got the job done in the end despite this and thanks to his proven power. But undoubtedly Froch is far, far better than he showed that night. He demonstrated his power and heart but not much else. He's still a bit of a secret.

Dirrell is fast and flashy, but this is a huge step up for him. He'll either really rise to the occasion or he'll crash and burn in dramatic style. I favour the crash and burn option. I think Froch will have have learned from the mistakes made against Taylor, and he'll have his way with Direll. Man against boy stuff. Froch by KO between 4-7.

[hitman_hatton1]

So this 1s on in October as part of the 6-fighter. I've just been watching Dirrell and he looks like he might be something special but this will certainly be his acid test. Very fast hands, sharp counter puncher, slick and seems to have some very useful power against Hanshaw/Oganov. I don't fancy Froch's hands down defense against Dirrell, obviously he's managed to pul it off against Pascal and Taylor so maybe he can do it against this kid too. Froch needs to be able to KO or bully Dirrell and am not sure he will. Dirrell does have a good defense but then again Hanshaw caught him a good few times flush

I reckon Dirrell will take it, but as its his acid test he might well got sparked himself

i rate dirrell very highly.

dirrell isn't the name that taylor is.

but he's in his prime whereas taylor was a little past his best.

if froch wins this i will lick his arse bigtime on this board.

[gemmell]

So this 1s on in October as part of the 6-fighter. I've just been watching Dirrell and he looks like he might be something special but this will certainly be his acid test. Very fast hands, sharp counter puncher, slick and seems to have some very useful power against Hanshaw/Oganov. I don't fancy Froch's hands down defense against Dirrell, obviously he's managed to pul it off against Pascal and Taylor so maybe he can do it against this kid too. Froch needs to be able to KO or bully Dirrell and am not sure he will. Dirrell does have a good defense but then again Hanshaw caught him a good few times flush

I reckon Dirrell will take it, but as its his acid test he might well got sparked himself

yes dirrell has good amateur pedigree and fast hands..but can he take a good punch? i havent seen much of him! can he go into the trenches with froch? dirrell has only fought bums..he does not have 1 good name on his record..it is a huge step up in class for him..i think once dirrell catches froch clean and realises he has an iron jaw..the froch will jump on him..amybe a mid-late stoppage..but i could be underestimating this guy

[gemmell]

Froch has proven all his attributes.

People need to realise it wasn't a vintage Froch against Taylor, especially with an ulcerated cornea that almost got him pulled 48 hours previously.

Also southpaw's struggle to dent Froch with their big left hand as Froch may carry his left low, but his right hand is usually up there tucked under his chin.

Dirrell with have plenty of joy with his jab (and by god he'll need it).

I predict this fight has come too soon for the American, especially given it will be in Froch's hometown.

The Cobra fans will be raucous for this one and it will certainly spur on Froch and unsettle Dirrell.

I think people forget how much of a difference, home advantage is.

yes i agree he didn't fight well against taylor until the 2nd hal of the fight..but i was shocked too see froch 4 points down going into the last round..i had him maybe 1 or 2 down..dirrell has only been 10 rounds once!!!!!!!!!!!!! this boy is in big trouble when froch takes him into the trenches..froch by ko in the 11th maybe even earlier if he applys pressure..dirrell is a very confident dude tho but he has no chance in my opinion

[CheckHook]

Froch might be too much to soon for Dirrell, I think its a tough fight for both guys and I think Dirrell has a good chance, but Froch has been mixing with a higher class of fighter and has proven he can win at the highest level, Dirrell has yet to prove he can make the step up.

[THEBUTCH]

Dirrell looks in hot form, but will have it all to prove against Froch.

Froch is taking on absolutetly anyone and everyone. What a punishing schedule he's set himself. None of this one hard fight and then 5 easy ones, every fight he's having is a potential loss waiting to happen because the opposition is that good.

A true world champion.

[tonyevs]

I really hope that Froch does well in this tournament.

But. I`ve said it before, so i`ll repeat it again. I think this tournament will be the ruin of Froch. He will take so many punches, it will make him a very old fighter by the end of it.

All the guys are top class. And how has been shown in his last two fights in the top level. Froch will have to absorb a great deal in the hope of tiring his opponent out to score the KO or close the gap.

I think one of his opponents will get a stoppage over carl, and that may very well be the end of Froch