He's a little piece i wrote. Obviously i failed my english at school, but i think you get the jist of my points.
Will Andre Dirrell run or trade with Froch?
http://www.livefight.com/news.php?news_ ... =2009&m=08
20.08.09
Andre Dirrell, the former 2004 Olympic bronze medallist has so far received mixed reviews during his professional career to date.
Standing at 6'2, with world class speed, cute defence and a charismatic smile outside the ring, the 26-year old Michigan native should have the average boxing fan worshipping at his feet.
But the reality is that some of his professional appearances, whilst winning efforts, have left the audience sometimes questioning his desire to mix it up with his opponent.
A good example was against Curtis Stevens (17-1, 12ko), a HBO televised bout in June 2007, Dirrell ran constantly from his 5'7 opponent. The crowd booed throughout the bout which did not persuade southpaw Dirrell to change his gameplan.
Winning the fight with scores of 97-93 over 10 rounds, the fighter known as 'The Matrix' was roundly booed and struck of many fan's 'One to watch' list.
Reacting to the negative reviews and press, Dirrell bounced back with 6 KO wins over his next 6 opponents. Unbeaten 17-0 Mike Paschall, 21-1 Anthony Hanshaw and his toughest opponent to date with 28 wins and 28ko's, the Russian, Victor Oganov. All were dominated with Dirrell's fast jab, switch-hitting style and neat footwork.
In 6'1 WBC champion Carl Froch, he will be taking a whole step up in class. Whilst Dirrell's latest accomplishment's are respectable, they would all have been consumed by 'The Cobra' just as quickly.
Many casual Stateside observers only tuned into Froch's performance against American Jermain Taylor. Fight fans we're split over the result- with many claiming that the fight was lost by Taylor on account of his reported stamina issues, whilst the remainder claimed that Froch was always going to wear Taylor down before knocking him out.
Taylor always began fast and even during his two defeats, Jermain always won the first half of the fight whilst even flooring his victor - before they climbed off the canvas to win.
Whilst perhaps not possessing the hand speed of Dirrell, Froch has enough speed of his own and will perhaps be the fastest opponent Dirrell himself has faced. Froch often paws the first shot at his opponent to provoke a reaction in an almost slow and lazy fashion, before letting the second and third shots fly with alarming speed and accuracy.
Whilst defensively Dirrell is 'technically' more complete than Froch, the WBC champion has taken huge flush, power shots from the likes of Canadian Jean Pascal, Robin Reid and Jermain Taylor. Infact all his opponents to date have landed their best punches with none managing to deter him from his plans.
Having home advantage will benefit Froch during this bout. But Dirrell has an advantage too and will be fighting on American time. With the show set to commence during the early hours of the morning, Froch will look to move his training camp later and later until the week of the fight.
Dirrell is currently training at Big Bear alongside his trainer and grandfather, Leon Lawson snr. Froch who has undergone training camps in Tenerife, Ireland and Canada during his last 3 fights, looks set to base his whole camp in Nottingham.
The bookies have Froch not only favourite to win this fight, but he's also favoured by many to win the tournament outright. Boxing fans believe that Dirrell possesses all of the natural tools to beat Froch, but questions remain over Dirrell's heart against a bullet-proof opponent such as Froch and whether he will take the fight to Froch or try to run and steal a decision.
Whilst Froch has seen the 12th round against world class opponents such as Jermain Taylor and Jean Pascal and beaten them, Dirrell has yet to go past the 10th round, which he only did against the 'stinker' against Curtis Stevens as previously discussed. All fighter's question their own stamina and going the 12 round distance often gives reassurance to a fighter's confidence in being able to carry out their work for the full 12 rounds without fear of becoming tired and falling into the hands of their opponent.
Dirrell, make no mistake, will have a fight on his hands come the 17th of October and his stamina will be pushed to the limit.
If Dirrell can withstand Froch's power and fight for 12 solid rounds then he may lift the title. Does he posses more speed than Taylor or Pascal? it's difficult to say. Both the aforementioned were regarded as faster than Froch yet they lost. Are Dirrell's whiskers or defence as sound as Pascal or Taylor? he is elusive and fast on his toes but does get hit when he tries to trade.
This fight has so many variables and 'what if's?' but right now the only thing we know about Dirrell is that he purely 'potential' wheras Froch, despite his shortcomings in some areas, has an abundance of heart, power and sheer will to win.
On October 17th we'll find the answers to my topic title. If he runs he could steal a decision and stink the joint out, or he could trade and lose in a shoot-out. Dirrell needs to find a balance between the two to beat Froch and keep it going for 12 gruelling rounds.
So far I haven't seen any evidence that Dirrell can do that... that said, i've not seen anything that suggests he can't.
And on that final examination fight fans, I'll leave you to pick your own winner.
