One has to wonder if former middleweight champion, Arthur Abraham, contemplates what he will be facing on May 14 in WBA super middleweight champion, Andre Ward.
The thirty-one year old Abraham enters the contest with an impressive record of 32 wins and 2 losses, with 26 knockouts. A little over two years ago, when the Super Six World Classic came to fruition, Abraham was the prohibitive favorite. He was undefeated in 31 fights and, other than his first fight with Edison Miranda - a fight in which his jaw was broken in two places, had rarely been pushed. The fact the Abraham finished the Miranda fight, broken jaw and all, is a testament to his inner toughness. He captured the IBF middleweight crown, with a fifth round knock-out over Kingsley Ikeke in 2005. He defended the title ten times (hence the nickname The King) until he relinquished it to enter the Super Six two years ago.
Does all of this add up to victory on May 14?
More on that later.
Abraham has experienced his most success as a professional with opponents he can figure out. When he defeated Jermain Taylor in 2010, in his maiden Super Six appearance, he wore the former champion down and knocked him out in the 12th round. In March of 2010, he ventured to Detroit, Michigan to tangle with Andre Dirrell, a loser to Carl Froch in his previous fight. Dirrell rebelled from the script and proceeded to out box the favored Abraham - who for the first time in his career found himself on the canvas. In the 11th round he nailed Dirrell with a clubbing right hand, while the former was on his knees. The result was a disqualification and the first loss of Abraham's career.
Abraham lost again in November to Carl Froch in a decison that was hardly controversial. The much taller Froch jabbed Abraham into oblivion, taking Dirrels’ template and running with it. Abraham was back in the ring in February of this year, winning by a TKO in the second round. His victory reeked of a confidence builder.
Abraham is five days away from taking on the undefeated (23-0, 13 KOs) Andre Ward. His one advantage is his puncing power. Ward slices and dices his opponents, leaving them bewildered and shell-shocked. Abraham might have a bomb, but it has to land it to produce the desired effect. Ward will stay busy and jab, keeping Abraham covering up. Arthur will continue to be agressive, but Ward's versatility will be on full display.
Andre Ward will out punch and out box Arthur Abraham. The decision will be unanimous.
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