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SHOWTIME'S Super Six to become Fabulous Five?
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With two-thirds of Group Stage 1 in the books, controversial or otherwise, SHOWTIME'S Super Six: World Boxing Classic returns on November 21st when Mikkel Kessler meets Andre Ward at the Oracle Arena in Oakland. Along with most of the civilized world, TheGreek.com has Kessler listed as the betting favorite.
As for the four men who have completed the first leg, Arthur Abraham showed that he is for real at 168lbs. With a style that is best described as the lullaby method, Abraham's defensive shell comforts his opponents before he puts them to sleep. His opponent on Saturday, Jermain Taylor, defined Abraham pre-fight as "nothing special," was content jabbing, jabbing, jabbing, Bueller, Bueller at King Arthur's gloves for 11 rounds before one single right hand ended his night with just seconds remaining in the 12th. Next up for Abraham is Andre Dirrell in the Group Stage 2 round. Next up for Taylor?
The only thing Jermain Taylor proved on Saturday night is that his legacy is starting to look like the opponent in somebody else's "greatest knockouts" video montage. Writing for the Sweetscience.com, Ron Borges reported that Taylor did not know which round he was knocked out in despite being told by his wife and his promoter, Lou DiBella, each time the question was asked. The Borges piece also confirms that Taylor did suffer a "severe concussion," which will keep the former champion in Germany for the time being. Borges believes, and rightfully so, that it is time for Taylor to hang up the gloves.
At a minimum, for Jermain to reach the semi-final stage of the Super Six tournament, he will need to defeat Andre Ward and Mikkel Kessler with at least one of the wins coming by way of knockout. Given that nobody has knocked out either fighter before, this presents a tall order to ask of a man who is not a knockout puncher. Before we get to that point, however, Taylor will have to be medically cleared to face both of them. In light of the post-Abraham medical problems, doctors may well have the final say in Jermain's continued participation. This would be a disaster for SHOWTIME.
The best move for SHOWTIME is to be proactive because a "Fabulous 5" tournament does not work under the existing format. As such, the network needs to quickly determine the odds as to whether Taylor will be medically cleared to perform on time and, more importantly, talk to Taylor and DiBella about options and risk even if Jermain receives a medical green light to continue.
If Taylor withdraws from the World Boxing Classic, then the best option is to substitute the winner of Lucian Bute-Librado Andrade. This is a tad complicated since the two men fight on HBO next month. A less complicated affair, however, if Home Box Office doesn't hold anything more than a one fight contract.
Alternatively, Lou DiBella promotes Allan Green. Sakio Bika is another option and he is one of The Ring's top 10 super middleweights. Both men would be substantial underdogs, but so was Jermain Taylor. The rule must be that any fighter who substitutes has to step into Taylor's shoes and enter the tournament with 0 points and 2010 dates with Andre Ward and Mikkel Kessler.
The exposure and opportunity alone make it worthwhile for any current non-participant to jump in at this stage. It has to be done soon though because the "Taylor plan B" doesn't work if Jermain withdraws or is otherwise unable to continue after Group Stage 2.
The reality is that the Super Six tournament has energized boxing fans during the Manny Pacquiao offseason; therefore, Showtime has to protect its baby now so that it can duplicate the format in other weight divisions. The odds of Jermain Taylor making it to the semi-final round are remote and he has a better chance, as Borges points out, to win a permanent disability.
Add Kessler's right hand to the imprints already left on Jermain's brain by Kelly Pavlik, Carl Froch, and Arthur Abraham, and you have concussive impacts to last a lifetime. SHOWTIME, for his benefit and yours, the Taylor situation must be dealt with and time is of the essence.
The punch heard around the world.
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