by Chris Milton
When Allan Green replaced Jermain Taylor in the Super Six tournament, the brash cocky American power puncher already had a huge chip on his shoulder after he was originally left out of the tournament in favour of the better known Taylor.
Green was thrown into the deep end, facing new WBA champion Andre Ward in his hometown of Oakland before travelling into the lions den of Denmark to face the then uncrowned WBC paper titlist Mikkel Kessler.
When you look at it closely, Green had the chance to become a superstar. A title challenge in his first fight against an American Olympic Champion, then a fight against what many thought to be a shot Kessler. Green had the chance to make himself millions and immediately launch himself into the semi finals of the super six.
Even if he lost, two good performances would have guaranteed him the chance to jump up to 175 and become a name fighter after the tournament had ended.
Green talked a great fight, he talked quite a few people into believing that his loss to Miranda was due to health issues and nothing more.
A few days before the fight an interview with Green was released with the following quote
“I respect Andre as a fighter,” Green said. “He’s very clever with good boxing skills and I’ve complimented his victory over Mikkel Kessler, but it’s not in his DNA to go deep in the waters and do battle like a real warrior.”
It now seems as though Green was talking about himself and not Andre Ward. Another laughable quote soon followed
“you can forget about him trying to do any inside fighting”
So after all his talk, all of his bravado are we to believe that a professional fighter, a supposed world class athlete did not prepare for all eventualities? All Green prepared for was a boxing match? Did he not watch the Kessler get battered by Ward fight? Or was he getting his excuses in early? After the fight Green came out and apologised for his inept performance.
“I’ve had about three training camps since December, and that made me feel really weak. I had to stop running three weeks ago because I was feeling so weak in training camp”
What kind of an excuse is that? He is a professional fighter and he should know his body. Anyone who constantly trains for six months will be weak. Why didn’t he take a break? The Ward fight was originally postponed with more than enough time for Green to go on holiday, chill, rest and recharge. Instead he trained all the way through? Did he think Andre Ward was hopping about on one leg sparring or something stupid like that?
If you listen to the Body Blow podcast you will have already heard Bigswa’s take on the situation. I agree with him 100%, that Green copped out and that he didn’t even try. He was there for the reported 400,000 payday, and guess what, he is due to make a cool million for showing the exact same lifeless, scared performance as he showed on Saturday night.
A real fighter, goes into the ring and throws punches, takes chances and never play possum. He would at least have a go. Ricky Hatton got KTFO in two rounds against Pacquiao, he also blamed the training camp saying he felt weak. Yet, Ricky went out there and had a go. Sure he got knocked out, but I have a hell of a lot more respect for Ricky’s performance that night than I do for Allan Green’s on Saturday or Joshua Clottey against Pacquiao or any fighter that does absolutely nothing in the ring then blames anyone and everything bar themselves.
It is the second time Green has put on such a performance and blamed it on health/training issues. Unfortunately for us, Green may very well beat Kessler in the next stage of the super six, Kessler has been through 2 very tough fights and we can all see he is not the force he used to be. Even if Green beats the Dane to become the WBC paper champion, Green ceased to be a fighter on Saturday night in my mind.
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