DETROIT, MICHIGAN – “King” Arthur Abraham finally steps foot into a boxing ring Saturday night at historic Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
That he’s fighting upstart Michigan native Andre Dirrell almost doesn’t matter.
The two fighters worked out for the media today at the world renowned but shuttered Kronk Boxing Gym.
Abraham, 31-0 (25 knockouts), just wants to get into a ring in front of the Showtime cameras already.
When Abraham vacated his International Boxing Federation (IBF) Middleweight crown with 10 defenses behind him for this first of a kind adjusted round – robin tournament of the world’s best super middleweights, he knew along the way there would be some frustrations along the way.
In fact Saturday (9:30 PM Central) will be the third time this fight was to occur.
Originally the fight with Dirrell, 18-1 (13 KO’s) was to be in January. Then it was moved to March 6 in Rancho Mirage, CA, and finally in Detroit after a Dirrell back injury.
Abraham is a big draw in Europe, but he wants to make it in America and this World Boxing Classic Super Six Tournament at 168 lbs. is his way into the living rooms and hearts of Americans with his power, skills and sly smile.
King Arthur knocked out first round opponent Jermain Taylor in the 12th round back in October. After a slow start, Abraham took control in the middle rounds and was winning big before the knockout of the former middleweight champion.
Dirrell, from nearby Flint, is a 2004 U.S. Olympian. But he had only 18 professional fights upon entering the tournament and was the real dark horse.
However he gave World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Middleweight Champion Carl Froch fits before finally dropping a controversial split decision in his first round fight.
But the story today is about Arthur Abraham. His decision to vacate his title reign in his prime and come to America and fight the best is much different than past top European fighters such as Henry Maske, Sven Ottke and Dariusz Michalczewski.
Abraham came to America with his trainer Ulli Wegner and other personnel moments after the New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl. His promoter, Sauerland Event of Berlin, Germany, brought in sparring partners and they camped out at a ritzy Palm Springs, CA resort to get acclimated to the weather and fully recover from the jet lag.
On about May 1st he got the word of the injury to Dirrell but smartly continued to train for a couple of days before changing course and deciding to head home to Berlin to continue training during the three-week delay.
Abraham and his promotional team, Sauerland Event, are in Detroit to win this fight. No sightseeing or Hollywood stars here. It’s all business.
In fact originally Michigan had scheduled all Michigan officials for the fight and Wegner said his fighter was going to need a knockout to win, among other choice words.
If Abraham continues his undefeated ways and wins the tournament and a few defenses afterward you would have to consider him a sure bet to enter the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY.
