Andre Dirrell had just authored the biggest win of his young career, yet he couldn?t celebrate. He lay on the mat writhing in pain, unaware that he was even the victor.
The Flint, Michigan native out-boxed Arthur Abraham with ease over 11 rounds, but the end came abruptly when Abraham took a cheap shot at Dirrell after the fighter slipped to the canvas. Abraham threw a vicious right hook at the vulnerable Dirrell, ending the fight when Dirrell was deemed unable to continue, a DQ victory awarded to the fouled boxer.
Dirrell (19-1, 13 knockouts) consequently withdrew from the Showtime?s Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament, citing neurological issues stemming from the illegal blow. The 29-year-old speed merchant hasn?t fought since, on the mend now for over 21 months. That will all change on Friday when he makes his long awaited return, as he faces Darryl Cunningham at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon, Calif. on ShoBox: The New Generation (11 p.m. ET).
?I?ve really enjoyed my career up until the injury and I?m just looking forward to getting in there and showing what I can do,? said Dirrell. ?I?m glad the tournament is over and that I can get back in there in 2012. I want to start the rest of my career off with a bang and finish it with a bang. I don?t plan on having any more mishaps for the rest of my career.?
Dirrell hopes to jump right back into the mix after he?s past Cunningham (24-2, 10 KOs), with plenty of big matchups awaiting him in the stacked 168-pound division. One fighter Dirrell would love to take on is undefeated Montreal-based IBF titleholder Lucian Bute, a fighter he feels hasn?t been tested yet.
