Showtime Supermiddleweight Tournament - Page 4

Hyperviolence · 07-06-2009, 02:02 PM

Kessler fighting someone other than a mandatory? That alone is too good to be a true.

Mike Mesey · 07-06-2009, 04:17 PM

Wow now i have more fights to look forward to.I love Shotime's tournaments and title elimination bouts.

Shizzy · 07-06-2009, 05:04 PM

Pipe dream.

Chuprynka · 07-06-2009, 05:36 PM

This is amazing if it happens BUT it's a shame that Bute, Karoly Balzsay and Andrade aren't involved. Also the whole thing with Kessler and his management may spoil him being involved.

gunranger2 · 07-07-2009, 09:46 AM

Quote:

More details are coming out about Showtime's jaw-dropping super middleweight tournament, and it all amps me up because it makes it seem more realistic. The American cable network isn't going to be alone in trying to finance or produce this monstrosity, which is estimated at a total cost of $50,000,000. Also on board are SKY Sports (UK), ARD (Germany) and Viasat (Denmark), among others.

The first fight of the tournament is tentatively scheduled to take place on October 10 in Germany, with Arthur Abraham meeting Jermain Taylor, who was specifically noted as a questionable pick by the camp of unbeaten 168-pound titlist Lucian Bute, universally considered one of the world's two best at 168 pounds. Bute is not part of the tournament, perhaps because a Canadian network couldn't pony up the money to get him involved as "their" representative. But that is utter speculation on my part.

Bute's team has their points, obviously. Lucian really should be there. There are other guys you can talk about who also aren't included -- Sakio Bika springs to mind immediately -- and then you can start questioning Taylor, who has lost three of four fights, and the Andres (Ward and Dirrell), who just don't have deep resumes. Rick Reeno of BoxingScene.com (which has been the home for news on this tournament) was told by two reliable sources that Bute was offered a chance to be in the tournament and declined. Bute's team says they were never given an offer, and that they plan to go ahead with a rematch against Librado Andrade. They also sound pissed that Jean Pascal, who just won a 175-pound title, wasn't invited, either.

The money is being mapped out. If the idea is good to go, there will be a press conference on July 13 at Madison Square Garden, with further press stops in London, Copenhagen and Berlin. The fact that their target press conference date is so close makes me quite hopeful.

this would be sweet

MC Paul Barman · 07-07-2009, 11:17 AM

Just read this regarding Sauerland & Kessler's current promoter, Palle:

Quote:

The negotiations continue between Sauerland Event and Mogens Palle. Sauerland is attempting to take over Kessler's promotional rights from Palle. Currently there is a legal dispute between Kessler and Palle over the Danish fighter's promotional contract. Kessler is disputing the amount of fights that are left on his contract with Palle. Sauerland is trying to buy Palle's options on Kessler, which the promoter claims to be three.

Sauerland Event CEO Chris Meyer confirms to Danish media outlet BT that he met with Palle and Kessler a number of times to make a deal happen. If Sauerland is able to grab Kessler from Palle, that would finalize his appearance in Showtime's much talked about super middleweight tournament that is scheduled to start in October. Meyer will not discuss the details of the tournament but did admit to his talks to pick up Kessler.

Article goes on to say that Palle is willing to continue the legal battle if Sauerland doesn't improve their offer.

Hats off to Kessler:

Quote:

Kessler is scheduled to fight Andre Ward in November in the first round of the tournament. BT claims that Kessler, even with the Palle lawsuit, will move forward with the scheduled media events that Showtime has planned for the super middleweight tournament. The first press conference is scheduled for July 13 in New York's Madison Square Garden.

From Sauerland-Palle Negotiations Ongoing For Mikkel Kessler - Boxing News

Mike Mesey · 07-07-2009, 11:53 AM

Just get Kessler in the ring already.

FreshPrince · 07-07-2009, 12:02 PM

Press conference on July 13? That's Monday! We'll know soon if this is for real or not. I'd like to go to a fight or two of this, but I'm guessing the ones in America will all be on the West Coast.

This is just great news. Good fights for the next 2 years. Showtime is stepping their game up! I thought they were getting ready to kick boxing off the network with their somewhat low quality lately and commitment to Strikeforce.

ssx · 07-08-2009, 01:22 AM

Give me Kessler to win the who thing. Also where the hell is Allan Green???

McGarnicle · 07-08-2009, 01:33 AM

Why ain't my boy on this? Fuck this shit, I want the Andrade on this bitch. MOTHA FUCKA!!!

Fuck Dirrell and Ward. Yeah, I understand the politics involved in this, but they really haven't fought anyone noteworthy (beaten to death dead horse Miranda doesn't count). Some other Vets deserve a crack at this. Like Biko, Andrade, Balzsay... Too bad they could get BOOTAY in this as well.