Long Live the King: Dirrell is conspiring to end the reign of King Arthur Abraham Pic: ©Andy Couldridge/Action Images
Andre Dirrell maintains he will end the reign of ‘King’ Arthur Abraham when the two face each other in the second stage of the Super Six World Boxing Classic on March 6 in California. Abraham is currently sitting top of the table in the super middleweight tournament thanks to a knockout victory over Jermain Taylor, but Dirrell insists he dethrone the ‘King’.
The American lost his first bout in the Super Six by a disputed split decision against Nottingham’s Carl Froch, but the defeat has made the Olympic bronze medallist more determined to finally get points on the board at the expense of Abraham.
"The end of Camelot is near,” he said. “It's off with King Arthur's head on March 6.”
Dirrell’s promoter Gary Shaw continued the theme: “Andre is going to pull the sword out of the stone and stab it straight into King Arthur's ego."
The undefeated Abraham, 31-0 (25 KOs), admitted Dirrell will be a tough challenge, but is confident he can emerge victorious en route to booking a place in the semi-finals.
“I need two more victories to secure my place in the semi-finals and I will start with Dirrell," said the 29-year-old Armenia-born German.
"He is a very skilled, yet very awkward fighter. It will be a difficult challenge but together with my coach Ulli Wegner we have developed an idea how to beat him."
The bout will be Abraham’s second in the US following his fourth round knockout victory over Edison Miranda in 2008 and the former middleweight world champion is hoping we can become successful on the other side of the Atlantic.
"I have said it before and I will say it again: It is my goal to become a star in America," he said.
"That is where boxing legends are made, and I want to become a boxing legend. That is what the Super Six tournament is all about for me. The victory over Taylor was a good start, but I am not finished yet."
He added: “A lot of Armenians live in L.A. and I hope they all come and support me against Dirrell. I will put on a great show just like I did against Taylor," he said.
Abraham’s promoter Kalle Sauerland was bursting with confidence and insists the American boxing fans are in for a great show when they watch “the most explosive fighter in world boxing”.
"Abraham kicked off the Super Six World Boxing Classic in style. Once again, he showed his incredible punching power. He is undefeated in 31 fights with 25 KOs including 10 successful defences of his middleweight championship.
“He can't wait to get his stateside campaign going in the U.S. and he will deliver another spectacular fight against Dirrell.
“Gary Shaw and his troops better watch out, the Abrahammer is on his way to catch Dirrell. Here come another three points."
