WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward (23-0, 13 KO) will square off against former IBF middleweight titlist Arthur Abraham (32-2, 26 KO), when Showtime’s Super Six World Boxing Classic resumes action on Saturday May 14. The Home Depot Center in Carson, California, will play host to the semi-final matchup, and will be televised live on Showtime following a re-broadcast of the May 7 pay-per-view bout between Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley.
Arthur Abraham came into the tournament a heavy favorite. With no notable experience as a super middleweight, Abraham made headlines with a 12-round knockout victory over Jermain Taylor in the tournament’s opening round. After consecutive Group Stage losses to Andre Dirrell (DQ) and Carl Froch (UD 12), Abraham is fighting for tournament survival. Abraham last won a non-tournament tune up bout in February, scoring a 2-round TKO victory over Stjepan Bozic.
Andre Ward came into the tournament short on big-time experience. After dethroning WBA super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler in the tournament’s opening round, Ward pitched a shutout over replacement Allan Green. Following the exit of Andre Dirrell, prior to their proposed Group Stage 3 matchup, Ward took a non-tournament title fight against rugged veteran Sakio Bika, scoring a dominant 12-round unanimous decision victory.
The winner walks away WBA super middleweight champion, and gains entry into the Super Six tournament finals.
On the untelevised undercard, former heavyweight title contender Chris Arreola (30-2, 26 KO) will face off against Nagy Aguilera (16-5, 11 KO), in a scheduled 10-round bout.
— Tim Harrison
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