[Boxing] Froch signs for Super Six series

[Rappy Veteran]

Carl Froch is to defend his WBC super-middlweight belt against Andre Dirrell in the first fight of a 'Super Six Boxing Classic' series of bouts.

Nottingham's Froch has signed up for the new concept along with Dirrell, Arthur Abraham, Jermain Taylor, Andre Ward and WBA champion Mikkel Kessler.

All six super-middleweight boxers have agreed to fight any - and possibly all - five other contestants.

Froch, 32, is set to fight Dirrell in his home city in October.

At a media event at Madison Square Garden to launch the series, he declared: "I'm going to be the last man standing.

"This is what boxing is supposed to be about, with the best fighting the best. These are the kind of challenges I've always wanted and I'm really fired up for this tournament.

Froch believes that ultimately the series will come down to himself and Kessler but he is not taking a win over Dirrell for granted.

"Right now he's something of an unknown quantity for me because I haven't seen very much of him. He's coming into this tournament on the back of a lot of hype and he certainly talks a good fight.

"He's unbeaten and he's some good scalps on his record so he's definitely a dangerous opponent for my first fight."

Ken Hershmann, the boss of American cable TV broadcaster Showtime Sports, said: "The 168lb division is the most talent-rich in boxing right now, and the Super Six structure will deliver one compelling match-up after another."

The six boxers involved have a combined tally of 161-4-1 with 117 knockouts, with Froch's record standing at 25-0 (20 KOs).

IBF middleweight champion Abraham (30-0, 24 KOs), of Germany will move up to challenge at 168lb.

United States Olympic bronze medallist Dirrell has a record of 18-0 (13 KOs), and Denmark's Kessler is 41-1 (31 KOs), his sole defeat coming against Joe Calzaghe.

Former undisputed middleweight world champion Jermain Taylor is 28-3-1 (17 KOs), and US Olympic gold medallist and number one-ranked contender Ward is 19-0 (12 KOs).

In the first phase of the event, each fighter will face three different opponents over the next 12 months in a points-based competition. A win is worth two points, a draw one, with no points for a loss.

The four leading points scorers advance to the semi-finals, with the top-ranked facing the fourth, and second facing third.

The winners will meet in early 2011 for the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic trophy.

As well as Froch v Dirrell, the first group stage will also feature Taylor v Abraham, and Kessler v Ward - the latter for Kessler's WBA title.

Froch successfully defended his WBC title against Taylor last April in Connecticut with a dramatic stoppage 14 seconds from the final bell.

Source