On September 25, 2010, Andre Dirrell is supposed to fight Andre Ward as part of Showtime?s magnificent Super Six super middleweight boxing tournament, that is if you believe in Santa Clause and the Kebbler Elves.
Considered one of the best things going in boxing, somehow, someway, this tournament is going to get all messed up by the two highest profile Americans in the series.
About one month away from their battle in the opening round of the tournament, Ward and Dirrell has no venue, and neither man seems to be training seriously for their bout.
So as Dirrell vs. Ward falls apart, I can only speculate that HBO would not let this situation happen.
Instead of letting Dirrell – Ward crumble like a cookie over the purse for the bout, or the color of the gloves each men would wear in the ring on the 25th of September, HBO would open up their coffers and throw money at each fighter until the fight was made (Exhibit A: Paul Williams vs. Sergio Martinez II).
Regardless off the fact that neither Dirrell or Ward has a history of electrifying fans, HBO Boxing would do what HBO Boxing does best – throw money at undeserving fighters and pay them a salary way beyond what their worth.
Maybe Showtime should cut Dirrell and Ward loose, let the lawyers handle their status with Showtime and the tournament, and pat them on over to HBO.
I can see Ward and Dirrell becoming stars at HBO in the same vein as Chad Dawson – another American star Showtime ?lost? to HBO.
I wonder how much HBO would pay Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell, $1.5 million combined? I believe a bout between the two, considering rating, and ticket sales, is worth about $500,000, tops.
Luckly Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham will be fighting a potential, and likely, Fight of the Year candidate as part of the Super Six on October 10 from Monaco.
Sincerely,
Rigordo – The Son of Michael Marley
