NEW YORK (May 9, 2011) – FIGHT CAMP 360°: Inside the Super Six World Boxing Classic returns TONIGHT/Monday with episode nine on SHO Extreme® at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Last Saturday, May 7, the four Semifinalists in the Super Six World Boxing Classic on SHOWTIME® participated in a press conference at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The Super Six World Boxing Classic Semifinals will begin this Saturday, May 14 (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) when undefeated Andre Ward (23-0, 13 KOs) will defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Middleweight world title against former world champion Arthur Abraham (32-2, 26 KOs) at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
On Saturday, June 4 (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) the Seminfinals will continue when Carl Froch (27-1, 20 KOs) risks his World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Middleweight title against Glen Johnson (51-14-2, 35 KOs) at Adrian Philipps Ballroom of Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.
What they said Saturday.
KEN HERSHMAN (Executive Vice President/General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports)
“The Super Six has been a long and winding road and it’s had its bumps in the road but that was the idea, to see which fighter would persevere through a series of major fights against the best competitors. The Super Six was designed to pit the best super middleweights in the world against one another and come out with one winner.
“The Super Six has been a topic of conversation the last couple years and that’s what boxing needs: longevity. These fighters’ names have been in the headlines from fight to fight because each bout has so many implications, so much relevance. When Andre fights Arthur, it’s not just about those fighters. It’s about how that fight affects Carl, how it affects Glen. The tournament also gets rid of the myth that a loss on a fighter’s record is a big deal. When the best fight the best, someone is going to lose.
“Arthur Abraham is the epitome of what this tournament stands for. He was the heavy favorite after a dramatic knockout over Jermain Taylor. But after two setbacks, he never gave up and I expect we will see a tremendous performance from Arthur on May 14.
“They call Glen Johnson the road warrior. And he is a warrior but more importantly, a tremendous person. After a decade at light heavyweight, he dropped the weight, looked good, looked young and won his first Super Six fight with a big knockout against Allan Green, whom no one had ever knocked out before.
“Carl Froch is a tremendous champion. Look at his road in the Super Six. He had a dramatic win in a close fight against Andre Dirrell, then he lost to Mikkel Kessler, and there’s no shame in that; Kessler is a tremendous fighter. But then he came back with the fight of his life against Abraham.
“At the beginning of the tournament, people thought Andre Ward was untested and young. But look how we have we seen him rise to become the tournament favorite.
“Putting five promoters in a room is my worst nightmare. But it launched FIGHT CAMP 360°, which has produced some great television. Thanks (to all the boxers for) their commitment.”
ANDRE WARD
“I think Carl showed us a good blueprint (against Abraham) but I’m going to do it my own way.
“I’m very desperate, too. I don’t think people understand that. I try to train with a sense of urgency. Whether Abraham had beat Carl Froch in convincing fashion or if he was in the situation he is now with two losses, I would still train the same. I train until it hurts.
“I want to thank SHOWTIME just for the opportunity. Outside of this tournament, I can guarantee I wouldn’t have been able to fight the best back-to-back-to-back. It’s also a great burden because you have to fight the best.
“A lot of people use the term ‘favorite’ very loosely. But I don’t consider myself the favorite because I haven’t gotten my just dues yet. I train with a chip on my shoulder because there is more to prove. There is still plenty of work to be done.
“When I prepare for Arthur Abraham, I train for the best Arthur Abraham. I take being the WBA champion very seriously. I respect every fighter in the sport and I train for every fight accordingly.”
DAN GOOSSEN (Ward’s promoter)
“We’ve been trying to get our way through this Super Six. I think it’s one of the greatest innovations in our sport. When you have so much talent in this division, it was certainly the right place at the right time.
“The great thing about this tournament is it started out with six great fighters so we forgave losses. In the Super Six, that is the opportunity. The best fighters face the best so a loss doesn’t ruin your career.
“Most Olympic Gold Medalists have become the future stars of our sport. Andre is dedicated. He works too hard to disappoint anyone.”
ARTHUR ABRAHAM
“I really have to thank SHOWTIME for what they did with this tournament. The people want to see the best in the weight division fighting each other and we have four of them in the Semifinals.
“The four best super middleweights in the world are left in the Semifinals and I’m here to win. I’m not the favorite but I’ll fight to the end. We’ll celebrate our win on Saturday.”
CARL FROCH
“I must say that this is the best tourney ever created in world boxing. The Super Six matches the best fighters in the 168-pound division from start to finish. I expect to see two of the original six in the final. While it’s not the be all to end all, at least in my opinion, to reach the final, I still know that I will be in the final.
“There is no reason to bad-mouth at this stage in the game. We are all proven champions. Glen Johnson may be 42 but top level fighters nowadays are not spring chickens. We go on and on.
“I think it’s fantastic what SHOWTIME is doing for the sport. Without them, fans would be robbed of not only the Super Six matches but all fights that are being put on in the sport.
“I’m on my way and training well. I’m sharp, eating well, feeling well and feeling strong. I’ll be there boxing in the final. To win would be without a doubt, minus the birth of my son, the proudest moment of my life to lift that trophy.’’
GLEN JOHNSON
“When SHOWTIME first put together the Super Six, I wished I was a super middleweight. I had to wait a year and when the opportunity came to enter the tournament, I jumped all over it.
“It’s going to be a great fight. I have a lot of respect for Carl. I saw him fight a few times previously and I know this is going to be a great fight.”
LOU DIBELLA (Johnson’s Promoter)
“This is going to be a terrific fight. It could be anyone’s contest. The favorite changes consistently. Three or four times the favorite has already changed. The rise of SHOWTIME Sports and the relationship it has with CBS creates great competition and that is good for the sport of boxing.
“Johnson has had a tremendous career. To be able, after 10 years fighting at 175 pounds, to fight now at 168 pounds is a testament to him. I know this is going to be a great fight no matter who wins, even though Carl’s the favorite.’’
For more information on the Super Six World Boxing Classic including exclusive photos, fight highlights and interviews, plus to view all episodes of the acclaimed documentary series FIGHT CAMP 360°: Inside The Super Six World Boxing Classic, please visit the website at www.WorldBoxingClassic.com
Kessler vs. Bouadla on June 4
World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Middleweight Champion Emeritus Mikkel Kessler (43-2, 32 KOs) will make his eagerly-awaited comeback on June 4 when he takes on WBO #5 Mehdi “Nightmare” Bouadla (22-3, 10 KOs) in front of his home fans at Parken Stadium. It will be the Viking Warrior´s first fight since his epic points victory over WBC Super Middleweight Champion Carl Froch in the Super Six World Boxing Classic in April 2010.
In August, an eye injury forced him to pull out of the multi-million dollar tournament. Now he is fit to fight again. “I am excited to be back,” Kessler said. “I knew I had to take a rest to let my eye heal and I am happy that everything went according to plan. I am 100 percent fit and I can´t wait to get inside the ring again – I have really been missing it. The comeback at Parken with my home fans supporting me will be great.”
Kessler said he was full of respect for his opponent. “Bouadla is a tough guy and he will certainly give me a hard fight on June 4. I have never lost a fight in Denmark and this will be no different. Nobody can beat be when my Viking fans are supporting me.”
Bouadla certainly thinks differently. “I have a lot of respect for Mikkel Kessler but to be honest he comes off a long break and he cannot keep up with me. I will be very happy to be the first one to beat Kessler at home and end his comeback before it even started. This is my chance for glory. I am the WBO´s number five already and after I am done with Kessler I will be rated even higher. More importantly, I will be remembered as the fighter who punched Kessler into retirement.”
Said promoter Kalle Sauerland: “We are thrilled that Mikkel is ready for his comeback. Boxing fans all around the globe have missed one of the world´s best pound-for-pound fighters. What he did to Carl Froch was amazing and I am sure he will follow it up with a spectacular win over Bouadla. However, he is an extremely tough opponent who comes to Copenhagen with the will to win and the ability to do just that. June 4 will be a great day for Danish sports fans as they will be able to see their hero live in Parken and on TV2. This is a present for the fans and it may as well be Mikkel´s last fight on Danish soil.”
Said Frederik Lauesen, Head of Sport at TV2: “We are thrilled to have Mikkel Kessler back on TV 2. It is important for Danish boxing that a superstar like Mikkel Kessler is exposed to as many of his fans as possible. Last time we had a Kessler fight on TV2, more than 1,5 million viewers were watching. This coming fight has everything in human drama and high stakes, so I expect even more viewers for this great event. It is a big boost to Danish boxing and to our Fight Night series where we are working hard to find the next Mikkel Kessler.”
Lotte Reimar, CEO of Parken Venues, said: “We are excited to bring back the Viking Warrior to Parken. He has made some of his biggest fights here and on June 4 we look forward to adding another chapter to Mikkel´s glorious performances at his adopted home stadium. It will be an event that everybody can join as tickets start at just DKK 250.”
Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, May 10 and can be purchased at www.billetlugen.dk.
Geale impressive in win over Sylvester
Promoter Gay Shaw says he is still thrilled by the performance of his new IBF Middleweight Champion, Daniel Geale (26-1, 15 KOs), who dethroned champion Sebastian Sylvester by 12-round split decision on Saturday night at the Jahnsportforum in Neubrandenburg, Germany.
“I felt like I was dreaming,” recounted Shaw. “To win a decision in Germany is making a statement. Daniel was terrific, very fast, and he stayed busy throughout and maintained a great output of punches.”
The Tasmanian-born boxer is the first Australian to win a belt on German soil. He won by scores of 118-110 and 118-112 on two cards, while another judge curiously had Sylvester winning 118-110 on the third card.
Fights with fellow world-class Australian fighters Garth Wood, Sam Soliman and Anthony Mundine are possible, but Shaw says there is no rush to announce a next move.
“I will speak with the team about several different opponents, and we will carefully weigh Daniel’s options. Right now we’re just celebrating his brilliant victory.”