Froch-Dirrell

[Autobarn]

why doesn't froch say: only reason you're in the tournament is because you're a fvcking yank with a big gob and some flashy hands.

[steve689]

I think some of what Dirrell says is true. Froch needs to box him because if he goes in trying to knock him out then I think Dirrell's speed will punish Froch and he will beat the Nottingham man.

[charlieb]

It's 50/50 for me, completely based on Froch's wins over Taylor and Pascal. Dirrell has been in deeper than Pascal was before he fought Froch, with a little more experience, Pascal might've edged Froch. As highly as I rate Taylor, he's seemed mentally scarred since Hopkins, but still had Froch beaten before the last gasp KO. Dirrell's fresh and ready.

In Froch's favour, he has 24 rounds of the best experience you could ask for, and 2 victories against top level operators.

You just cant take shots the way Froch does at this level though, I dont care how good your chin is. Sooner or later, probably at some point within this tournament he'll be on the end of something he can't shrug off. Not saying it'll be Dirrell but he can certainly punch.

Froch has home advantage, the big fight experience, unmatched durability/stamina and if there are chinks in Dirrell's own, he'll be found out.

There's still a lot of uncertainty about where Dirrell fits into the grand scheme, it's hard to tell just how big the gulf between contender and champion is. Dirrell has had his poor moments, but then so had Pascal.

50/50.

hmmmm i dont quite knw how you can say 50/50 fair enough it's your opinion but i would say 75/25 in favour of the cobra he has fought against world class..has great stamina..iron chin... dirrell has fast hands..has been as far as 10 rounds once! away from home.. and you say taylor has been mentally scarred since hopkins? he beat hopkins twice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! whats that all about dont you mean pavlik

No, I mean Hopkins. I think those two bouts took a lot out of Taylor mentally, despite winning.

I know Froch should be favourite, he has a lot of advantages over Dirrell, but I cant help thinking that this is going to be every bit as tough as the Pascal and Taylor fights. To me that means a 50/50 fight. Dirrell fits between the version of Pascal and Taylor that Froch fought for me, in terms of calibre, if Froch isn't careful and measured in his approach, I think he could allow Dirrell to look pretty special.

[Walker Smith Jr.]

I think Dirrell is in for a shock

[JDC]

I'm interested to know if there have been any significant changes in the Froch training camp?

Froch didn't show much technical change, from the Pascal fight, against Taylor. I was slightly expecting Froch to move to a big American trainer after his victory in the state. Allthough that hasn't happened Froch appears to need some fresh defensive coaching.

[superpunchout]

I think Froch is deceptive. Holes are picked in his sloppy defence and comparatively pedestrian footwork but neither have let him down at the top level. Pound for pound Froch is a world class hardman and I think it'll take more than silky skills to keep him at bay for 12 rounds.

[gemmell]

I'm interested to know if there have been any significant changes in the Froch training camp?

Froch didn't show much technical change, from the Pascal fight, against Taylor. I was slightly expecting Froch to move to a big American trainer after his victory in the state. Allthough that hasn't happened Froch appears to need some fresh defensive coaching.

robert mccraken is an excellent trainer! why would he need a big usa name they won't help him do nothing..froch decides how he fights with his low hands obviously mccraken doesn't want him doing tht but tht's carl froch for you

[gemmell]

I think Froch is deceptive. Holes are picked in his sloppy defence and comparatively pedestrian footwork but neither have let him down at the top level. Pound for pound Froch is a world class hardman and I think it'll take more than silky skills to keep him at bay for 12 rounds.

yep remember this kid dirrell has fought bums and hasn't gone 12 rounds..froch can go a hard 12 rounds

[hitman_hatton1]

I've seen Dirrell's fights against Oganov and Hanshaw, not particularly impressive. Fast hands but his footwork isn't the same, he also seems to lack great power and doesn't seem to like being put under pressure either.

The sort of fight that would give a few flashes against Carl but will be ground down and KO'ed.

u weren't impressed with the hanshaw fight.

dirrell on pts.

better skills, faster hands, better on his feet than taylor (just ask curtis stevens ).

[banjo]

I've never seen this Dirrell fight(wasn't he dianosed with cancer a few years back or am I getting confused with another US prospect?) but I've heard all the stories about his speed and all that but looking at his record he hasn't beaten anyone of real note has he? Is he the real deal or another Jeff Lacy?

[Deserter]

I'm a huge Froch fan and expect him to overcome the Dirrell challenge much in the manner of his Pascal victory i.e. some uncomfortable moments early on before securing a clear-cut decision.
However, I remain perturbed about the seeming unwillingness to address his defensive shortcomings - I remember posting on here (along with many others) that Froch would have to do something about the low left hand etc as he moved up in class, and also remember those close to the camp saying that he was savvy enough to be able to get away with it, even at the highest level.
That's now been shown to comprehensively not be the case, as both Pascal and Taylor have exposed its limitations.
I want Froch to come out on top in this tournament, but can only see the likes of kessler punishing him if he isn't prepared to tighten up - though even if he wants to, I have to question whether it's too ingrained in him now.

[hitman_hatton1]

I've never seen this Dirrell fight(wasn't he dianosed with cancer a few years back or am I getting confused with another US prospect?) but I've heard all the stories about his speed and all that but looking at his record he hasn't beaten anyone of real note has he? Is he the real deal or another Jeff Lacy?

his brother anthony is the one with cancer.

think it's in remission.

he's no jeff lacy.

[mike john]

hes got a point, but will he change his tune if he wins? if froch isnt a true champion, he surely wouldnt be one either

[hitman_hatton1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz41VLUqIzc

this is a piece on andre's brother anthony dirrell.

[sendo]

u weren't impressed with the hanshaw fight.

dirrell on pts.

better skills, faster hands, better on his feet than taylor (just ask curtis stevens ).

Hanshaw put him down in the first round, should have been called a knockdown. Had Dirrell under pressure and was landing freely. It is not as if Hanshaw is a top fighter, if he can pose those problems to Dirrell then Froch will be far too much.

[The snout]

Dirrell has as much chance as jackie moon playing in the NBA, he will get "iced". That's a sure fire dead cert.

[hitman_hatton1]

u weren't impressed with the hanshaw fight.

dirrell on pts.

better skills, faster hands, better on his feet than taylor (just ask curtis stevens ).

Hanshaw put him down in the first round, should have been called a knockdown. Had Dirrell under pressure and was landing freely. It is not as if Hanshaw is a top fighter, if he can pose those problems to Dirrell then Froch will be far too much.

it was a flash knockdown.

dirrell proved he's more than just a slick boxer in that fight.

he stood in there and banged it out.

[leforge]

This be good fight. Anyone know if it be live on ITV.

[Ted]

It wont be over until the cobra says its over.

[Old bones Ian]

Dirrell holds his left hand low , but keeps his chin up high.
Froch holds his left hand low, but keep his chin down low.

thats the difference in this fight.
Froch by KO