Froch vs Dirrell press pictures

[crusader]

I amazed at how many conclusions people can come to based off a few shoulder up images of both guys with layers of clothes on. I remember how many people were going on about how confident and ready Froch looked when he was facing off with Taylor, only for him to freeze for the first half of the fight. It seems every young African American who fights a British fighter is automatically the new Lacy. I think Froch will win but Dirrell has great speed, size, and boxing ability, none of which Lacy had. It will be a tough fight for Froch but I think his experience will get to Dirrell late or lead him to a clear decision.

[teddy007]

Gary Shaw looks terrified in the second-to-last photo. Is he having a Lacy flashback or did Froch whisper a menacing threat from the corner of his mouth?

Shaw was so scared, he changed into a black man and grew some dreads(last pic).

[teddy007]

I amazed at how many conclusions people can come to based off a few shoulder up images of both guys with layers of clothes on. I remember how many people were going on about how confident and ready Froch looked when he was facing off with Taylor, only for him to freeze for the first half of the fight. It seems every young African American who fights a British fighter is automatically the new Lacy. I think Froch will win but Dirrell has great speed, size, and boxing ability, none of which Lacy had. It will be a tough fight for Froch but I think his experience will get to Dirrell late or lead him to a clear decision.

Gotta agree with that, this is a tough fight make no mistake about that. If Froch wins that will be Pascal, Taylor and then Dirrell, that is good going by any champions standards. Way way better than most of Calzaghes phony defences.

[bigjack]

I amazed at how many conclusions people can come to based off a few shoulder up images of both guys with layers of clothes on. I remember how many people were going on about how confident and ready Froch looked when he was facing off with Taylor, only for him to freeze for the first half of the fight. It seems every young African American who fights a British fighter is automatically the new Lacy. I think Froch will win but Dirrell has great speed, size, and boxing ability, none of which Lacy had. It will be a tough fight for Froch but I think his experience will get to Dirrell late or lead him to a clear decision.

Gotta agree with that, this is a tough fight make no mistake about that. If Froch wins that will be Pascal, Taylor and then Dirrell, that is good going by any champions standards. Way way better than most of Calzaghes phony defences.

Here we go again slagging calzaghe it didn't take long did it,please,please stop

[tannervegas]

I am stunned at the confidence people have that Froch is going to blow Dirrell aside. I remember the worries people had about Pascal (a very much unproven fighter). Dirrell is an Olympic bronze medalist, undefeated... sure untested and unproven... but he looks pretty impressive beating up the people infront of him.

I hope Froch does it, and Dirrell could turn out to be another "Lacy" but I am amazed at the confidence people have in this being a formality.

it's bluster stuey.

they all know this is tough.

dirrell has the style to give froch fits.

How do you know that though? What performance of Dirrell's has you so confident? The kid has never had a pro gut test or even had to face the standard of European opponents Froch has beaten. I may be wrong, but i've seen absolutley nothing to prove or suggest to me that Dirrell is the second coming.

As for people not giving Dirrell enough respect think about this: If the roles were reversed and Dirrell was champion having beaten Pascal & Taylor and Froch was the challenger with Dirrell's record you would be laughed out of town for even suggesting that Froch could win.

[Bomber 1]

I gotta be honest guys I think Dirrell can win this fight... Something in the back of my mind is saying go for Direll by Unan Decision.. :(

Froch needs to put it on this kid immediately!! I don't think he will though, I think he's gonna leave it too late..

[tannervegas]

I gotta be honest guys I think Dirrell can win this fight... Something in the back of my mind is saying go for Direll by Unan Decision.. :(

Froch needs to put it on this kid immediately!! I don't think he will though, I think he's gonna leave it too late..

Well, he does have previous for leaving it too late ha ha.

Seriously though, I hope Froch is bouyed up enough for this fight, occasion and home town crowd to try and get him out of there by the half way mark. Hopefully Robert McCracken has got him out of his nasty habit of slow starts.

[forcefraser]

I gotta be honest guys I think Dirrell can win this fight... Something in the back of my mind is saying go for Direll by Unan Decision.. :(

Froch needs to put it on this kid immediately!! I don't think he will though, I think he's gonna leave it too late..

I don`t think Froch will hang about in this fight. He will have learned from the Taylor fight that a slow start puts his back against the wall.

With the fans behind him Frochy will steam in early and try to smoke his boots. It would be nice to see how dirrell handles an all out attack from Frock as in the Pascal fight.

Pascal has a Froch like chin, but by all accounts Dirrell does not.

[forcefraser]

I gotta be honest guys I think Dirrell can win this fight... Something in the back of my mind is saying go for Direll by Unan Decision.. :(

Froch needs to put it on this kid immediately!! I don't think he will though, I think he's gonna leave it too late..

I don`t think Froch will hang about in this fight. He will have learned from the Taylor fight that a slow start puts his back against the wall.

With the fans behind him Frochy will steam in early and try to smoke his boots. It would be nice to see how dirrell handles an all out attack from Frock as in the Pascal fight.

Pascal has a Froch like chin, but by all accounts Dirrell does not.

Dirrell's chin seems decent as the onlly time he was floored it was by a huge punch but recovered very quickly where others would have no hope in getting up

But can he withstand a continued barage of boot smoking Froch shots?

[FLINT ISLAND]

If you take into account Dirrells amateur pedigree, etc - then this will be a tough fight.

But I feel Froch is the more seasoned and hardened pro.

And them last two fights against Pascal and Taylor have probaly been the making of him.

My prediction is..............

Froch will come from behind on points again - and stop Dirrell between 8-12 rounds

[FLINT ISLAND]

I wonder if Joe Calzaghe would have been so keen to get invovled in this tournament.

I like Froch and the legacy he is trying to create.

It really is showing Joe Calzaghe up.

As while Calzaghe was the more talented boxer, etc

Froch is gonna achieve more signifcant legacy in this torunament than most of Calzaghes bogus World title defences

[MightyWarrior]

They both look gaunt, nothing serious though & I'm sure both will be fine come Sat night. Froch might even be the more nervous of the two - he's got it all to lose, and Dirrell is probably enjoying being the underdog.

Froch definitely froze in the Taylor fight, which was a bit of a surprise for such a confident fighter, though looking back he really had massive pressure going into that one, and got it right in the end.

Plenty of times we've seen an unfancied challenger come over here, only to shock everyone with a unexpected brilliant performance.

You'd fancy Dirrell to get off to a blinder here, and if Carl doesn't discourage him quick, it could fast turn into a nightmare for him. Take away his amazing last round, and Carl looked pretty bad against Taylor. Dirrell and co will be looking for a repeat of the first 11 rounds again here, then play it safe in the last.

At least Froch doesn't have to worry about getting hit as hard as when he took on Taylor.

Should be a good night, Taylor could pull off a shocker in Germany too.

[forcefraser]

But can he withstand a continued barage of boot smoking Froch shots?

can Froch land a continued barage of boot smoking shots? i think not as Dirrell has enough about him to slip a lot of Froch's bombs. If Froch is going to get to him it will be wearing him down.

Maybe I am looking at Froch with rose tinted glasses, but I feel he could smoke anyone in this tournament.

I just love the heart that he brings to the table and his last two fights I have enjoyed probably more than any since the Benn v MCllellan fight (obviously not the tragic consequences)

It is rare that we see a blood and guts warrior these days, especially one from British shores. I know he has several defeciencies as a boxer, but his sheer belief and will to win will bring him through this fight. I really hope so.

Froch and Taylor rematch in the final.

With Kessler and Abraham next, Froch has the hardest route, but not once have we heared him complaining about it. He just wants to get in with the best and take them out. Massive respect for Frochy.

[whiskey]

Stylistically, it's been 3 tricky opponents on the spin for Froch.

I think (and so do the people around Froch think), that Dirrell could be the bizz.

I think i'd be more gutted if he turned out to be crap than him actually beating Froch.

He does have very fast, sharp punches. Not sure how concussive they are as his opponents have been stopped on their feet.

He did get floored heavy by a journeyman. The clip THAT I put up on youtube shows a glimpse. But the actual fight, you see Dirrell pretty shook up and he received a standing count in his corner before they let him sit down. The guy WAS a bum and with no skills or power to suggest that "That punch would have put anyone down" etc etc.

Froch does have a few heat seeking missiles that come quicker than his opponent thinks. He paws slowly with the jab at times, but the second and third shots rain in pretty fast and hard. If Dirrell starts backing up the wrong way, Froch will blast him over.

I can see Dirrell starting out with flashy bursts. A mixture of nerves and adrenaline will see him bouncing round a LOT in the first couple of rounds.

But Dirrell fails to work constantly. When he opens up he looks a million dollars, but he does seem to take his foot right off the gas until he can put another flashy burst together.

The thing is, Froch will hopefully weather those bursts and still be there to chase and unload his own bombs as Dirrell tries stay clear and re-energise.

As the fight wears on, Froch will get stronger and stronger. Dirrell's bursts will be sloppier and he will get caught more. He may start clinching, but Froch will throw him off and smell blood. Whether this is the 4th round or the 8th i dont know.

He is young at 25 and the late arrival in the UK has not seemingly had any impact. We know he's trained at altitude which will definitely benefit him.

We know he is hungry and this is his big chance, his opportunity etc etc - but Froch has worked very hard to get into this position and will be far hungrier than Dirrell.

Like every opponent Carl has ever faced, from Dodson to Taylor, Dirrell will have his way with Froch for spells in the beginning as Carl weighs him up and feels what he's got. Then he will then put his foot on the gas and start tearing lumps out of them.

Expect everyone to be shocked at Dirrell soundly outboxing Froch in the opener except for Froch and his corner.

I fully expect this will kick off by the third round and then it will be a war of attrition with Froch the betting favourite to come through anything Dirrell has to seal the deal by knockout.

[nobby_nobbins]

Froch doesn't always start slowly. He surprised Pascal by jumping on him from the first bell and got some good shots in with both fists.

[forcefraser]

Froch doesn't always start slowly. He surprised Pascal by jumping on him from the first bell and got some good shots in with both fists.

Exactly and that`s what we need this time from Froch. Get on the guy from the first bell, force him into a corner and trade with him. Rough him up a bit and don`t give him time to think or get into his stride.

No point standing off a talented switch hitting boxer, just smother him early and batter his kipper.

[jameswilson]

Dirrell has looked ok outboxing much shorter guys. Dirrell's height advantage for this fight is negligible and Froch has a very good reach. Dirrell is quick but he will have to take shots against Froch and that will be the acid test. Can he work hard enough and take what Froch hits him with for 12 rounds to win.

[stujones]

I aint saying a Dirrell victory is a forgone conclusion or anything. Of course his ticker and chin and power are untested at world level. However, you only have to watch his fights to know he has some attributes.

Its a bit like Pascal, he was untested at world level before the Froch fight. He didn't exactly beat a whose who of boxing. However, you only had to see him in action to realise he had some skills. Nobody called that a walk in the park, yet this one is being dubbed that by some.

I don't think nobody can confidently pick this winner. Dirrell is very unproven, but could end up being something a little special. I don't think Froch will ever be something special, but he is very proven at world class.

[teddy007]

I amazed at how many conclusions people can come to based off a few shoulder up images of both guys with layers of clothes on. I remember how many people were going on about how confident and ready Froch looked when he was facing off with Taylor, only for him to freeze for the first half of the fight. It seems every young African American who fights a British fighter is automatically the new Lacy. I think Froch will win but Dirrell has great speed, size, and boxing ability, none of which Lacy had. It will be a tough fight for Froch but I think his experience will get to Dirrell late or lead him to a clear decision.

Gotta agree with that, this is a tough fight make no mistake about that. If Froch wins that will be Pascal, Taylor and then Dirrell, that is good going by any champions standards. Way way better than most of Calzaghes phony defences.

Here we go again slagging calzaghe it didn't take long did it,please,please stop

Calzaghes first upteen defences were woeful and deserve to be slagged off.

[Chambers2]

I aint saying a Dirrell victory is a forgone conclusion or anything. Of course his ticker and chin and power are untested at world level. However, you only have to watch his fights to know he has some attributes.

Its a bit like Pascal, he was untested at world level before the Froch fight. He didn't exactly beat a whose who of boxing. However, you only had to see him in action to realise he had some skills. Nobody called that a walk in the park, yet this one is being dubbed that by some.

I don't think nobody can confidently pick this winner. Dirrell is very unproven, but could end up being something a little special. I don't think Froch will ever be something special, but he is very proven at world class.

Anyone predicting that any fight in this Super 6 tournament is a foregone cocnclusion, is a fool IMO.

Dirrells got the style and attributes to cause Froch problems, but it's gonna be difficult for him to outbox a rabid Carl Froch for 12 rounds, especially the last 6 rounds when Carl will be relentlessy stalking him throwing bombs. There are plenty of unknowns in this contest, but it's going to take a really special fighter to beat a fully fit Carl Froch in Nottingham. Is Andre that man????? We'll know in about 65 hours

[dbf]

Stylistically, it's been 3 tricky opponents on the spin for Froch.

I think (and so do the people around Froch think), that Dirrell could be the bizz.

I think i'd be more gutted if he turned out to be crap than him actually beating Froch.

He does have very fast, sharp punches. Not sure how concussive they are as his opponents have been stopped on their feet.

He did get floored heavy by a journeyman. The clip THAT I put up on youtube shows a glimpse. But the actual fight, you see Dirrell pretty shook up and he received a standing count in his corner before they let him sit down. The guy WAS a bum and with no skills or power to suggest that "That punch would have put anyone down" etc etc.

Froch does have a few heat seeking missiles that come quicker than his opponent thinks. He paws slowly with the jab at times, but the second and third shots rain in pretty fast and hard. If Dirrell starts backing up the wrong way, Froch will blast him over.

I can see Dirrell starting out with flashy bursts. A mixture of nerves and adrenaline will see him bouncing round a LOT in the first couple of rounds.

But Dirrell fails to work constantly. When he opens up he looks a million dollars, but he does seem to take his foot right off the gas until he can put another flashy burst together.

The thing is, Froch will hopefully weather those bursts and still be there to chase and unload his own bombs as Dirrell tries stay clear and re-energise.

As the fight wears on, Froch will get stronger and stronger. Dirrell's bursts will be sloppier and he will get caught more. He may start clinching, but Froch will throw him off and smell blood. Whether this is the 4th round or the 8th i dont know.

He is young at 25 and the late arrival in the UK has not seemingly had any impact. We know he's trained at altitude which will definitely benefit him.

We know he is hungry and this is his big chance, his opportunity etc etc - but Froch has worked very hard to get into this position and will be far hungrier than Dirrell.

Like every opponent Carl has ever faced, from Dodson to Taylor, Dirrell will have his way with Froch for spells in the beginning as Carl weighs him up and feels what he's got. Then he will then put his foot on the gas and start tearing lumps out of them.

Expect everyone to be shocked at Dirrell soundly outboxing Froch in the opener except for Froch and his corner.

I fully expect this will kick off by the third round and then it will be a war of attrition with Froch the betting favourite to come through anything Dirrell has to seal the deal by knockout.

Great post and good insight as always Gomez. Its good that McCraken and Froch are honest about the task in hand and behind the bold statements they have both done their homework. I too think Dirrell will win the first few rounds and maybe even embarrass Carl at times.

But hopefully Carl use his jab to good effect, have a tighter defence and start putting on the pressure after 5 or 6 rounds. I think this will be tough fight for both and hope that Froch can prevail by UD.

[Chambers2]

hope that Froch can prevail by UD.

Fcuk the UD all my wonga's on the KO but I suppose I'd settle for any kind of win

[Baboon]

I'm hoping for a late stoppage from Froch. Dirrell looks a slippery customer but he's only been past 6 twice. It'll be interesting to see how he handles taking solid shots over a prolonged time (that is if Froch can land these of course). Taking out Hanshaw who was a decent opponent at that point of his career would suggest he can dig enough to compete so I can't see Froch walking through him early. Froch needs to slow him to take him late.

I can't see Shaw throwing his fighter to the wolves here as three crushing defeats would be even more damaging than Calzaghe was to Lacy. Surely he'd have learnt. Having said that maybe he's just a bad judge of his fighters capabilities.

[stujones]

I don't think Shaw had much choice really Baboon in this instance. Boxing isn't a big as it once was in the states. Especially at Super Middle. An Olympic bronze medal doesn't mean stardem and a shot at the title.

Shaw might know/realise that Dirrell is not quite ready for the title, but had he not signed him up for the Super 6 - then he probably wouldn't have had a shot for sometime. Well there is poor old Bute, who I hope is not completely forgotton about given a shot at the eventual winner - but really this Super Sixes is going to go on for AT LEAST 2 years... possibly 3/4 if rematches get involved... and all the contenders not involved risk being frozen out.

With the exception of Bute, Steiglitz and Mundine (if you want to be pedantic) its involving all the main players at Super Middle. Good fighters like Bika have already expressed concerns at being frozen out of the title picture. Dirrel would have been in the same boat.

[Wrists]

This is an excellent fight, it really is.

I am beginning to warm to Froch in a big way - I think he stops Dirrell inside 8.

Carl for me is too relentless and too strong for any other super middle bar Kessler.