By James Slater: Many fighters, when they lose for the first time, have a huge urge to get a rematch with the man who took their “O” so as to try and avenge their maiden defeat. This is not the case with the soon-to-return Andre Dirrell. As fans know, “The Matrix” lost his perfect record to Britain’s Carl Froch, in Britain, in what was both men’s “Super Six” debut, back in 2009.
A good number of people looked at the scoring of the fight that was won by the slimmest of margins by “The Cobra” as a most controversial one. What happened to Dirrell in his next fight, however, soon made fans all but forget about debating the Froch outcome. Hit while he was down in his fight with Arthur Abraham – a fight he was winning on points at the time – Dirrell was seriously hurt and he has not boxed since.
Now, in speaking to “On The Ropes” hosts Jenna & Geoff, Dirrell says he is looking forward to “getting back into it,” but that a return with Froch is not high on his wish-list.
“The only way I would want to fight Froch is if he had the belt,” Dirrell said. “That’s the only way I would want to see him again. It really wouldn’t bother me if I never fought him again but I’m not dodging anyone. I’ve already fight two of the best, Abraham and Froch, and I did an outstanding job on them. I’m looking forward to [Super-Six] tournament leaders, the belt holders, or whoever else has the hype when I get back into it.”
Dirrell, who complained of dizzy spells and being unable to spar after the Abraham fight he eventually won by disqualification, has no date set for his return. It will, though, be interesting to see if he can box as well as he once could when he does return. Froch, at present the WBC 168-pound champ, could possibly go on to win the entire Boxing Classic tourney, and if he did we could maybe see Froch-Dirrell II after all.
Dirrell does tip Froch to get past semi-final opponent Glen Johnson in the summer.
“I believe Froch will come out victorious (in the Johnson fight) because he is the younger guy,” he said. “He’s very long and he’s very awkward, but Johnson is going to give Froch one hell of a fight. It could end up being a split decision for Froch.”
It must be tough for Dirrell, 19-1(13) to sit back and watch the “Super-Six” reach its conclusion without he himself being a part of things. Beaten only by Froch, the clever switch-hitter, had it not been for that illegal shot thrown by Abraham, would have fought his buddy (and tourney favourite) Andre Ward. Who knows how that fight would have gone had it taken place? In any case, Dirrell – who has been sparring with Commonwealth champ George Groves ahead of Groves’ grudge-match with James DeGale – will soon be back in action, waiting for the “Super-Six” winner.
Maybe we will get to see Ward-Dirrell after all then?
As for Froch-Johnson, reports that the bout is set for Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on June 4th appear to have been premature. Lee Squirrel of Hennessey Sports said “It (June 4th) is one of the dates being discussed. Until we confirm details officially I cannot comment any further.”
And Froch himself said “Contrary to reports, the wheels are still turning and an official announcement is due shortly. Until then, hang fire and see what develops.”
So, could Froch Vs. Johnson wind up taking place somewhere other than Atlantic City, New Jersey?