BIG BEAR LAKE, CALIF. (October 8, 2009) – Undefeated No. 1 super middleweight contender and American Dream “The Matrix” ANDRE DIRRELL is finishing up his most grueling and productive training camp ever as he prepares for his first world title fight, challenging World Boxing Council (WBC) super middleweight champion Carl Froch in a battle of undefeated warriors. Dirrell breaks camp for Mother England on Saturday.
“I’ve spent my whole life dreaming of this night when I fight for the world title,” said Dirrell. “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’s a gasbag. 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..”
Dirrell’s promoter, Gary Shaw, stated similar sentiments. “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.
Undefeated WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch (25-0, 20 KOs), of Nottingham, England, and unbeaten, 2004 Olympic U.S. medalist Andre Dirrell (18-0, 13 KOs), of Flint, Mich., stage their 12-round showdown at Trent FM Arena in Nottingham, England, on Saturday, Oct. 17, live on SHOWTIME® (8 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
The battle of unbeatens – the second half of a doubleheader on SHOWTIME® — will be for Froch’s WBC 168-pound title and the first fight for Froch and Dirrell in the Super Six World Boxing Classic.
In the opening Super Six Group Stage 1 bout on Oct. 17, undefeated former IBF middleweight champion “King’’ Arthur Abraham (30-0, 24 KOs), of Germany, will face former undisputed 160-pound titleholder Jermain “Bad Intentions’’ Taylor (28-3-1, 17 KOs), of Little Rock, Ark., at 02 World Arena in Berlin, Germany. The Abraham-Taylor 12-rounder will be shown on SHOWTIME on same day delay.
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
Dirrell to Dedicate his Fight Against Carl Froch to the American Troops
(BIG BEAR, CALIF.) – Super middleweight Andre Dirrell (Flint, Mich.) is currently completing his stateside preparations for his first world title fight at Camp Dirrell in Big Bear, Calif. He and his team will depart for England on Saturday before he steps into the ring with WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Carl Froch (Nottingham, England) at the Trent FM Arena in his hometown of Nottingham on October 17.
Dirrell knows that he will be representing not only himself, but his country on October 17, and is dedicating the fight to the United States troops who fight for American citizens like himself every day.
“The American troops overseas keep all of us safe and I support them 100 percent,” Dirrell said. “I do nothing but pray for them because they do that for our country and everyone in it.”
Dirrell is accustomed to competing for the red, white and blue, having boxed for Team USA in numerous events as an amateur, including the 2004 Olympic Games, where he won a bronze medal.
The 26-year-old Olympic medalist has completed nearly two months of training camp in Big Bear, and is positive that he will claim his first world championship in his nineteenth professional fight in Nottingham. “I’m feeling really confident right now and I’m ready to make it happen,” Dirrell said.
He will complete sparring on Friday before leaving for England on Saturday morning. Dirrell will be joined by several family members in Nottingham, including his brother, Anthony, and uncle and grandfather, Leon Lawson, Jr., and Leon Lawson, Sr., who also serve as his trainers.
Fans can get an inside look at Dirrell’s training camp and preparations for his first world title fight in the opening episode of Showtime’s – FIGHT CAMP 360 this Saturday at 10:30 EST/PST.
For live updates on Andre Dirrell throughout fight week, follow him on twitter at www.twitter.com/andredirrell.