As Atlantic City and the world's boxing community counts down to Saturday, Dec. 17, when the Showtime Super Six Classic Finals will take place at Boardwalk Hall with the much-anticipated bout between finalists Carl Froch and Andre Ward, AC Weekly brings you four days of interviews with the two fighters as well as fellow boxers and tourney participants Mikkel Kessler and Arthur Abraham.
In an interview with Atlantic City Weekly from Germany, one of the early Super Six favorites talks about Super Six finalists Carl Froch and Andre Ward with AC Weekly contributor Rob Scott.
Arthur, you were one of the favorites going into the tournament. After your first-round knockout of Jermain Taylor, even more people felt you would win the whole thing as well. Boxing is a tough sport, but after coming up short, first to Froch, and then again in May against Ward, how much of an impact did it have on your psyche?
No, not any impact at all. I did not have any mental problems. I made tactical mistakes against Ward and Froch...that’s all.
I only ask that because it’s been reported that you were returning to the middleweight division that you ruled for some time. Why the return there?
I think I have better chances at middleweight because the opponents are the same size as me. And I feel I can do more damage with my power.
At 5’ 9”, you were the shorter person in your losses to Ward and Froch. But it didn’t seem the height was your Achilles heel in those fights, but more over it was speed. In the middleweight division, Sergio Martinez is considered the man of the hour. He is actually only 5’ 10”, but is well known for his speed and illusiveness. What did you learn from the boxing of Froch and Ward that you could use if you and Martinez ultimately meet?
I learned that I need to attack more and that I must not be too passive. I also realize that I need to do a better job at keeping my opponent away from me.
What opponent have you chosen for your next ring outing?
I will fight Pablo Farias from Argentina on January 14 in Germany.
Froch has downplayed Ward’s power, especially in comparison to his. Give us an overall comparison of these two when it comes to their positives and negatives.
Ward has better tactical skills. His style is hard to fight against. I think he will beat Froch. Ward is also the dirtier fighter. Froch fights clean.
Ultimately, who do you think will have his hand raised when Ward and Froch clash on December 17?
I think Ward will be the winner.
Coming Wednesday, Dec. 14: An interview with Mikkel Kessler (pictured at left with Andre Ward) who was forced to end his bid for the Super Six Classic Cup due to an injury, but not before handing Carl Froch a defeat he’ll never forget.
"My father raised me to always be confident, but always humble. I’m far from a pushover, and always firm, but there is no need to go around tooting your own horn for every little thing you do. I believe in the abilities God has blessed me with, and I believe I’m one of the fiercest competitors in the sport of boxing and that’s enough for me."
"I will hit Ward very hard and very often; he’s not going to be able to take my consistent heavy shots which will be coming for 12 rounds if necessary."
Carl Froch: "I will hit Ward very hard and very often; he’s not going to be able to take my consistent heavy shots which will be coming for 12 rounds if necessary."
Day Two - Interview with fighter Mikkel Kessler, who was forced to end his bid for the Super Six Classic Cup because of an injury, but not before handing finalist Carl Froch a defeat he’ll never forget.
In an exclusive interview for acweekly.com, Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson opens up about a variety of subjects — from his thoughts on The Super Six Tournament, Carl Froch, Bernard Hopkins, as well as the fans.
A comprehensive schedule of upcoming fights in Atlantic City with all the details on every fighter stepping into the ring. Upcoming boxing events include Joe Deguardia's Star Boxing, Yuriorkis Gamboa vs. Jorge Solis, Sergio Martinez against Darren Barker, and the Super Six World Boxing Classic.
"Well you can’t take too much away from Paul Williams, because he is one that’s good for boxing because he gets in there and fights. But Lara is a real fighter. He is a Cuban National Champion, and Cuba has a lot of great fighters coming out of there, and Lara is definitely one of them. "
Pictured above: Veteran boxing trainer Ronnie Shields (left) with writer Rob Scott The worst thing a fighter can do is take lightly and judge a book (i.e. fellow fighter) by their cover. Erislandy Lara (15-0-1, 10 KOs), who originally from Guantanamo, Cuba, but now resides in Miami, Florida, has a story that actually has many chapters to it. He and his followers have every intention on coming into Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall on Saturday, July 9, and not only add to their saga, but also become one of boxing’s best sellers. Lara takes on former two-time world champion and still highly avoided, Paul “The Punisher” Williams (39-2, 27 KOs), who resides in Aiken, South Carolina. Lara, who went from a Cuban National amateur superstar, to a Cuban defector, to a professional world boxing contender, has truly written his own story. I had the pleasure of talking to two key figures in the ongoing book of Lara when I interviewed his veteran trainer, Ronnie Shields, and longtime boxing figure Luis DeCubas, regarding their star, and what to expect when the bell rings on fight night. I’ve followed the Erislandy Lara story and seen many of his fights, but let’s face it, there are going to be...
Atlantic City's boxing days are back and Atlantic City Weekly is proud to bring our readers a brand-new column by boxing guru Rob Scott. Here is the first installment of 'Boxing Notes: In the Ring with Rob Scott.'
1. Anonymous said... on Dec 17, 2011 at 09:32AM
“Doin it Big! Geat interviews!”