Stage 2 And Stage 3 Of The Super Six

Showtime's six-man super middleweight tournament kicks off with two fights -- Arthur Abraham-Jermain Taylor from Berlin and Carl Froch-Andre Dirrell from Nottingham, England -- on Saturday (Showtime, 8 p.m. ET/PT; Abraham-Taylor on same-day tape, Froch-Dirrell live). The tournament continues with the third Group Stage 1 match on Nov. 21 when Mikkel Kessler faces Andre Ward in Oakland, Calif.

Here are the rest of the predetermined matchups in the modified round-robin, with an approximate time frame. All bouts will be contested under the international unified rules of boxing:

Group Stage 2

• January in the U.S.: Abraham-Dirrell.

• March in Europe: Froch-Kessler.

• Spring 2010 in the U.S.: Ward-Taylor.

Group Stage 3

• Summer 2010 in the U.S.: Ward-Dirrell.

• Summer 2010 in Europe: Froch-Abraham.

• Fall 2010 in the U.S.: Kessler-Taylor.

The top four fighters will advance to the single-elimination semifinals on the merits of a points system. Two points are awarded for a victory, with a one-point bonus for a knockout victory. One point is awarded for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. The semifinals are tentatively scheduled for January 2011 in the U.S., with the final to be held in May or June 2011 in the U.S.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=4558946

I heard Froch wants his fights with Kessler and AA to be in Britain.

He trusts local doctors more and he realizes he will need them with King Authur in his forecast.

I know the timing isn't great to announce he wants to fight Kessler in Nottingham but believe me it's only because it makes more sense financially .

A fight with Kessler could easily work in a soccer stadium in the UK that's why his team wants it there.

I am not sure he'll get it there not just because of the dodgey decision but Mikkel is probably eager to have a big fight in Denmark for a change.

Dirrell was robbed. Froch got some Bisping-type home-cooking in that decision. I hope JT retires -- his style isn't made for the long haul.