Posted:
#1
First off, this tourney is EXACTLY what boxing needs. It's already been said a million times, but what a treat for the true fans.
Abraham is good, but not elite. His resume is trash and he has never fought at super middleweight. However, his power will give Taylor some major problems if he lands something big. There is a major flaw that is going to cost him this fight - he has no jab and backs straight up when getting pressure.
He has no offense in the center of the ring. None. Zero. His gameplan is to pick off punches with that high guard, get inside, and do damage with rock solid body punches and a great left hook. Hanging around with Taylor has produced great results - ask Carl Froch. Too bad I don't see it happening. He'll lose way too many rounds getting out boxed in the center of the ring. Should Taylor gas, (which I don't think he will) he will have a shot to win the fight. He is just too small and too slow to do anything early in this fight.
He'll be a day late and a dollar short, as JT puts on a clinic.
Taylor, +260.
Froch vs Dirrell is a fight that is much more interesting. He have your typical blazing fast american vs a granite chinned European. Dirrell's jab is going to find a home early and often. Froch needs to pick up that left hand, or he'll have trouble generating any offense. If Dirrell doesn't have the pop to keep Froch at bay, it's going to be an easy Froch victory.
Actually, it will be anyways. Why? A few reasons..
1. I'm not sure Dirrell could have a worse matchup of the 5 guys in this tourney. He has only fought past 6 rounds twice, and has had no legit preperation for this level of fighter. Froch might be very flawed, but he is tough as nails both mentally and physically. Froch's experience and ability to adjust will be a huge factor.
2. Can Dirrell take a punch? Umm..... maybe? One thing is sure, we'll probably find out sooner than later. If he can't, expect Froch to sell out to get inside and finish the fight.
3. Dirrell is unpolished, and doesn't like pressure. Watch how much of a fit Hanshaw gave him in the first couple of rounds. Dirrell was lost - southpaw, orthodox, back again. Froch does nothing but attempt to wear you down. How will Dirrell handle it?
Basically, Dirrell would have to keep Froch away by jabbing and using his massive speed advantage to get off and get away. To ask him to do it for 12 rounds on foreign soil against a solid fighter like Froch, too much to ask. Even if he did, I wouldn't trust the cards as far as I could throw them. Piss poor bet all the way around.
Froch wins only, -163. This is a much better play than Taylor, even though I think both are rather solid.
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