The Super Six World Boxing Classic Semifinals are set to begin. Andre Ward, Arthur Abraham, Carl Froch and Glen Johnson are all one victory from the tournament final en route to 168-pound supremacy. On Saturday, May 14, Ward will defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Middleweight world title against European superstar Abraham to kick off the Semifinals of the groundbreaking tournament LIVE on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from The Home Depot Center in Carson, California, BoxingScene reports.
"I’m ready to get back in the ring and kick off the Semifinals against Arthur Abraham on May 14,” Ward said. “I’m just one win away from reaching the Finals and achieving what I set out to achieve when I entered this tournament: Super Six champion and the world’s best 168-pound boxer.”
Ward continued: “I’m also happy to return to The Home Depot Center. I fought there once before and I think it’s a great outdoor venue. Arthur should have a lot of fans there with the large Armenian contingency in Los Angeles, and I will have a lot of fans as well.”
Abraham (32-2, 26 KOs), of Berlin, Germany by way of Armenia, entered the tournament as a heavy favorite alongside Kessler. But after emerging from Group Stage 1 as the points leader with a knockout win over Jermain Taylor, Abraham is now trying to bounce back from consecutive tournament losses to Andre Dirrell and Froch in Group Stages 2 and 3, respectively. With a win over Ward on May 14, Abraham, who entered the tournament with an unblemished record, can once again become a world champion and the tournament favorite heading into the Finals.
“I have a lot of respect for Andre Ward,” Abraham said. “He has proven his class and he has defeated a lot of strong opponents. But once we meet in the ring, the past does not matter anymore. I had a very bad day against Carl Froch but I have put that behind me and learned from my mistakes. I am ready to bounce back. That is what being a true champion is all about – to come back from a loss and win the title again. I am looking forward to May 14. I will prove myself in the ring.”
Abraham, who has only fought in the U.S. twice in his career, isn’t concerned with fighting in California, Ward’s home state.
“There is a huge Armenian community in Los Angeles, and I will put on a spectacular fight for them,” said the Armenian-born Abraham. “I am very grateful to have their fantastic support and I can already promise them a very special evening. It will be good to have their backing. It will give me a huge boost.”
