DIRRELL – IT’S OFF WITH KING ARTHUR’S HEAD
By Graeme Bradley
stv.tv
29 January 2010 18:05 PM
Andre Dirrell insists he will dethrone King Arthur Abraham when the
pair meet in the Super Six World Boxing Classic.
Dirrell – It’s off with King Arthur’s head
Long Live the King: Dirrell is conspiring to end the reign of King
Arthur Abraham Pic: ©Andy Couldridge/Action Images
Andre Dirrell maintains he will end the reign of ‘King’ Arthur Abraham
when the two face each other in the second stage of the Super Six
World Boxing Classic on March 6 in California. Abraham is currently
sitting top of the table in the super middleweight tournament thanks
to a knockout victory over Jermain Taylor, but Dirrell insists he
dethrone the ‘King’.
The American lost his first bout in the Super Six by a disputed split
decision against Nottingham’s Carl Froch, but the defeat has made
the Olympic bronze medallist more determined to finally get points
on the board at the expense of Abraham.
"The end of Camelot is near," he said. "It’s off with King Arthur’s
head on March 6."
Dirrell’s promoter Gary Shaw continued the theme: "Andre is going
to pull the sword out of the stone and stab it straight into King
Arthur’s ego."
The undefeated Abraham, 31-0 (25 KOs), admitted Dirrell will be a
tough challenge, but is confident he can emerge victorious en route
to booking a place in the semi-finals.
"I need two more victories to secure my place in the semi-finals and
I will start with Dirrell," said the 29-year-old Armenia-born German.
"He is a very skilled, yet very awkward fighter. It will be a difficult
challenge but together with my coach Ulli Wegner we have developed
an idea how to beat him."
The bout will be Abraham’s second in the US following his fourth
round knockout victory over Edison Miranda in 2008 and the former
middleweight world champion is hoping we can become successful on
the other side of the Atlantic.
"I have said it before and I will say it again: It is my goal to
become a star in America," he said.
"That is where boxing legends are made, and I want to become a boxing
legend. That is what the Super Six tournament is all about for me. The
victory over Taylor was a good start, but I am not finished yet."
He added: "A lot of Armenians live in L.A. and I hope they all come
and support me against Dirrell. I will put on a great show just like
I did against Taylor," he said.
Abraham’s promoter Kalle Sauerland was bursting with confidence and
insists the American boxing fans are in for a great show when they
watch "the most explosive fighter in world boxing".
"Abraham kicked off the Super Six World Boxing Classic in style. Once
again, he showed his incredible punching power. He is undefeated
in 31 fights with 25 KOs including 10 successful defences of his
middleweight championship.
"He can’t wait to get his stateside campaign going in the U.S. and
he will deliver another spectacular fight against Dirrell.
"Gary Shaw and his troops better watch out, the Abrahammer is on his
way to catch Dirrell. Here come another three points."