DETROIT – (March 24, 2010) — Super Six World Boxing Classic standings leader “King” Arthur Abraham and Andre “The Matrix” Dirrell both took part in a media workout at Detroit’s famed Kronk Gym on Wednesday, just three days before they kick off Group Stage 2 of the Tournament on Saturday, March 27 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Mich., live on SHOWTIME at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
The Armenian Abraham (31-0, 25 KOs) currently leads the Super Six point standings with three points by way of his last-second knockout against American Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor Oct. 17 in Berlin, Germany. The former middleweight bronze medalist at the 2004 Summer Olympics from Flint, Mich., Dirrell (18-1, 13 KOs) dropped a close 12-round decision to Carl Froch for the World Boxing Council (WBC) World Championship the same night in Nottingham, England.
This fight will be available to a record 54.4 million households as part of the SHOWTIME ALL ACCESS Free Preview Weekend on SHOWTIME, SHOWTIME HD™ and SHOWTIME On Demand. From Thursday, March 25 through Sunday, March 28, viewers across the country will have the opportunity to sample the premium network’s award-winning programming via linear service, On Demand and in HD, including two live events from SHOWTIME Sports.
The event is being promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Sauerland Event.
What the fighters had to say on Wednesday at Kronk Gym:
ARTHUR ABRAHAM
“It is a pleasure to be back in America. I have adjusted well to the time difference. We have been doing light workouts and I feel ready for Saturday night.
“Dirrell is fast but that will not help him. I am in the Super Six to become a legend in America. I need a win on Saturday to accomplish that goal. And I will get that win.
“My trainer, Ulli Wegner, has prepared a special game plan which will help to defeat Dirrell. You will see on Saturday how that works.
“I like Detroit, I have seen a little bit of the city. It is different from German cities. What I like most about Detroit is the famous Joe Louis Arena. I have visited it and it was very impressive. I am thrilled to be fighting there.”
ULLI WEGNER (Coach)
“Arthur is in great shape. He has coped very well with the time difference, but for someone like him – someone in top shape – it is very easy to adjust.
“We are looking forward to fighting in America again. Everybody said we were crazy when we came over to fight in Edison Miranda´s backyard in June 2008 and Arthur knocked him out. I think the outcome will be the same on Saturday – a great victory for Arthur.”
WILFRIED SAUERLAND (Abraham’s Promoter)
“I think we will see a great fight. Arthur will win because he is too strong for Dirrell. The American fans will love Arthur´s style – he is incredibly powerful and a very strong puncher with a sensational record of 31-0 and 25 KOs. That is what the people love to see. He will put on a great show on Saturday night.
ANDRE DIRRELL
“Nothing can get in the way of my dedication and achieving my dream. You have to have a different game plan for each fighter you face, and we have a strong game plan for me to execute with Abraham. I have faced power punchers before, none as explosive as Abraham, but I have fought power punchers in my career and handled them well.”
“I’m smarter, faster and more elusive and I feel that I have the most skill and speed. It will be difficult for him to catch on to my style but not for me to adjust to his. I won’t feed into him and fight his fight, but I will let these hands fly.”
“I’m going in with a strong game plan and I’m going to execute it to the best of my ability. Whatever he brings, I will be ready for it. My natural ability gives me confidence. I’ve put in hard work and I’m ready for Saturday night.”
“I met him (Arthur Abraham) on the media tour and at the press conference and he seems like a nice guy, but in the ring, it’s all business.”
“There are two championship belts at stake (in the Super Six tournament) and I want them. Arthur Abraham is a stepping stone in my game plan to get those two belts. I want to get him out of the way and get those titles.”
On Fighting in Detroit:
“I’m glad to be back in Michigan and the opportunity to fight here in Detroit is a great thing. This is a history-making event and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
“I really wanted to bring something positive to this community. It feels good to fight in Detroit and it’s something that I’m really looking forward to. When fighters fight at home, your mental game has to be really strong. This is a big, monumental event and I’m looking forward to it, but I won’t let it distract me.”
“This area has been sleeping on boxing for awhile now, but I’m bringing excitement about the sport back to Detroit with this fight. I’m here to make a statement to the boxing world and all the fighters in the Super Six tournament with my performance in this fight. ”
“I’ve heard about it all my life. All the big fights in Detroit were in the 1980’s. I was born in 1983, so I’m ready to bring another big fight here to Detroit and the state of Michigan and get everyone excited about boxing again.”
On bouncing back from his loss to Carl Froch:
“My last fight really motivated me. I have been back in the gym and working really hard. I’m ready to shake, rattle and roll. You will see the best of Andre Dirrell on Saturday night.”
GARY SHAW (Dirrell’s Promoter):
“This is a chance for Andre to become this town and Michigan’s biggest fighter. This is more than just the Super Six. He’s fighting at home and there are pressures on him that there aren’t elsewhere.”
“This is my first fight since my Dad passed away two weeks ago. He was my best friend and a huge boxing fan. The first time I saw Andre after I got into town, the first thing he said to me was I’m sorry about your Dad. He said that to me before anything else and that says a lot about Andre Dirrell and who that man is.”
For information on all SHOWTIME Sports telecasts, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries from its events and complete information on the Super Six World Boxing Classic, please visit the website at http://www.sports.sho.com
SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC SCOREBOARD
Record Fighter Points
1-0 Arthur Abraham 3
1-0 Carl Froch 2
1-0 Andre Ward 2
0-1 Andre Dirrell 0
0-1 Mikkel Kessler 0
0-0 Allan Green 0
ABOUT SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC
The inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic is a ground-breaking, six-fighter tournament from SHOWTIME Sports® featuring the class of the super middleweight (168-pound) division from around the world. All bouts in the Super Six tournament will be contested under the Unified Rules of Boxing. Each boxer fights three bouts against different opponents in the field in the points-based Group Stage of competition (Win – 2 pts with a 1-pt bonus for KO/TKO; Loss – 0 pts; Draw – 1 pt.). After the Group Stage, the four fighters with the highest point totals will advance to the single-elimination Semi-Finals. The winners of the Semi-Final bouts will advance to the Finals and fight for the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic trophy.
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