By Ben Carey
Andre Dirrell is insistent that his speed and flashy switch-hitting style will be too hot for Carl Froch to handle ahead of their Super Six world super-middleweight championship showdown at Nottingham’s Trent Arena on Saturday night. Froch will defend his WBC super-middleweight crown against the undefeated American who hasn’t been shy to talk up his chances in the build-up.
“He may have fought southpaws and orthodox style fighters, but he has NEVER fought a switch-hitter like me. I’m going to go Mickey Mantle on him and shoot the works from the moment the bell rings. Mr. Froch can kiss my Yankee Doodle,” boasted Dirrell.
“I’ve spent my whole life dreaming of this night when I fight for the world title. Froch has been foaming at the mouth saying how hopeless my chances are against him. Frankly I find his rants tiresome. No wonder Joe Calzaghe didn’t give him a shot,” he continued.
Froch however isn’t losing any sleep over Dirrell’s tirade. “By the time I’m finished with him he’ll be more Mickey Mouse than Mickey Mantle,” began the WBC champion.
“He’s coming in to a whole world of trouble getting in a ring with me, in my hometown, in a fight for my title. I keep hearing about how great he is and how much potential he has, well now it’s time for him to step up to the plate. He’s in with the big boys now so it’s time to put up or shut up and I’ve no doubt I’ll be shutting him up. By the time I’m finished with him he’ll understand exactly why Joe Calzaghe didn’t want to get in a ring with me.”
Dirrell arrived in Britain at the weekend along with his promoter Gary Shaw and Shaw remains quietly confident that his young charge can produce an upset victory.
“Andre is considered the dark horse of this tournament and that’s just fine with us,” said Shaw. “No one gave him a chance against Victor Oganov (28-1, 28 KOs), or Anthony Hanshaw (21-1-1, 14 Kos), and he had an early night with both of them, knocking them out in the sixth and fifth rounds, respectively. I have no doubt Andre will be the new WBC super middleweight champion on October 17 and I have no doubt Andre will be in the finals of this illustrious tournament.”
Froch though believes his stellar victories over the previously unbeaten Jean Pascal (to win the WBC crown) and his spectacular last-gasp knockout over fellow Super Six contender Jermain Taylor last time out will give him a decisive edge over the relatively untested Dirrell.
“I’ve proven I can get in the trenches and emerge on top,” said Froch. “He hasn’t been in that deep yet so let’s see what happens when he finds himself in that kind of fight.”
Like Dirrell, the 32-year-old champion also boasts a perfect record having won all 25 of his pro fights with 20 of those wins coming inside the distance and he’s predicting another short night. “I believe I’ll knock him out, the sooner the better as far as I’m concerned. I’ve studied him and I think he has a number of flaws that I can exploit. My record proves I can punch and I just need one opportunity to finish a fight be it in the first round or the last round,” concluded Froch.
Froch-Dirrell, disappointingly shunned by mainstream television networks in Britain, will be screened live on pay per view in the UK and Ireland on new satellite channel Primetime (Sky channel 480) as part of a Super Six tournament double header from Nottingham and Berlin .The tournament officially kicks off in Germany when former marquee Middleweight Champs Arthur Abraham and Jermain Taylor clash at The O2 World Arena in Berlin before the action moves to Froch’s hometown and the Trent FM Arena in Nottingham.
To watch the opening night of the Super Six tournament on Primetime (Sky channel 480) call 0871 200 4444 (+448702 416 666 from the Republic of Ireland) or see http://www.primetimelive.co.uk. The event is available at a special price of £12.95 until 24 hours before the fight after which it will then increase to £14.95.
Primetime will build up to the event by screening Froch’s previous two world title fights, his twelve round thriller with Jean Pascal to win the WBC title and his sensational final round KO over Jermain Taylor in the U.S. in April. The fights will be broadcast from 7-10pm on Primetime each night leading up to the Super Six tournament double header on October 17th. Primetime will also broadcast FIGHT CAMP 360°: Inside The Super Six World Boxing Classic, a new reality series that will give fight fans unprecedented access into the lives of the Super Six tournament participants.
Tickets for Froch V Dirrell are available from the Trent FM Arena, Nottingham Box Office priced £30, £45, £125 and £400. To purchase tickets call the Box Office on 08444 124 624 or visit www.trentfmarena.co.uk. Tickets are also available from Ticketline on 0844 888 4402 or via www.hennessysports.com.
