Andre Dirrell the Matrix That Never Formed!

Skillful, Fast, Precise, Gifted, these are just a short list of attributes which flint Michigan super middleweight boxer Andre Dirrell was blessed with. As a 2004 Olympic Bronze medalist in the middleweight division, hopes were high on Dirrell in becoming one of the best super middleweights in the world once he turned pro. In 2009 he had his first golden opportunity at proving his believers right when he entered the world boxing super six series middleweight tournament.

This tournament was formed with the objective of providing a definitive answer as to who the best super middleweight in the world was, by bringing together the best champions and the no1 challengers and letting them battle it out for all the belts and the glory in order to prove they are number 1. Going in to the tournament Dirrell was favored as being the one to make the final along with fellow 2004 US Olympic teammate and gold medalist Andre Ward. In the first round draw Dirrell was set for the biggest fight of his career when he came up against the tough, fearless WBC super-middleweight champion Carl Froch in the champion’s beloved home town of Nottingham.

Woe is me!

During the press conferences in the final days before the October 17th showdown Dirrell brazenly showed disrespect to his opponent through a facade of brash performances such as singing, dancing, and screaming in the champions face. This was either a reflection of the challengers self confidence in his own ability, or a masquerade to cover up his yet to be revealed insecurities.

Fight Night had arrived and Dirrell calmly walked to the ring in a nonchalant manner focused like he knew the night would be his without a shadow of doubt. In the first half of the fight the matrix really started to develop as Dirrell was highlighting to everyone that he really was a force to be reckoned with through the use of a speedy jab and elusive combinations which had Froch confused and frustrated like he was trying to figure out a Rubik’s cube.

But in the middle rounds and the second half of the fight, Dirrell showed us something else other than his flashy skills, something which he had kept hidden, covered up if you like in order to try and disregard it. He showed that when the going gets tough and things don’t go his way he starts to feel sorry for himself and loses focus on the task at hand. Froch showed champion spirit in coming forward and bringing the fight to the inexperienced challenger even in the midst of missing shots and looking very basic. This champion’s fortitude by Froch is something which derailed and bemused Direll who was falling over and looking for sympathy and assistance from the referee during these strenuous rounds.

Dirrell managed to push through the struggle and his youth and skill set guided him to the final bell and he was on the receiving end of an unfortunate split decision loss in a fight which many observers felt he won. But as he headed back to the changing rooms a beaten but proven man, he took something from the ring with him, something which he would carry all the way through his career. Something which has affected his progression in becoming a world champion.

Unassertive when it matters!

For those who say Dirrell lacks heart they couldn't be farther from the truth. Dirrell has always shown heart in his fights since his early professional career days. He’s been knocked down and dropped hard, but has always gotten up ready to fight on, with the exception of two controversial instances (Abraham, March 2010), (Uzcategui May 2017). So it’s not the lack of heart that’s let him down in his career it’s the indecisive and distressful decision making he makes when the going gets tough and he's asked to dig deep.

Back in May 2015 Dirrell had his second chance at claiming a world title when he faced the then unbeaten British super middleweight champion James 'Chunky' Degale for the WBA super middleweight title. After getting dropped by a counter over hand left towards the end of round 2, Dirrell rose to his feet and finished the fight in an uncharacteristic manner. He fought 10 hard rounds showcasing fighting spirit, will, and poise but ultimately coming up short in loosing another close title fight on the scorecards.

After this defiant performance against Degale many thought that Dirrell had dealt with his demons and was sure to become a world champion at this mature stage of his career. At the start of this month (March 2018) in a rematch with super middleweight contender Jose Uzcategui under the guidance of new trainer Virgil Hunter, Dirrell had his last chance to deliver on the faith shown to him early on in his career by becoming a regular title holder in his division.

But from the first bell it was evident that Dirrell's unforthcoming ways were coming back to haunt him. And In what has become to be an expected Dirrell notion after 8 hard rounds of boxing, being well behind on the score cards, and feeling that everything is going against him. He decided enough was enough and ultimately retired from the fight in round 9 conceding his IBF interim title in the process.

An unsatisfying end it seems for the career of one of the most naturally gifted fighters of the last 10 years who failed upon what was expected of him in becoming a great. We can only now imagine how great Dirrell could have become in the division had he been able to overcome his insecurities in the ring.

What would this article have looked like if the young, loud, flashy, raw Andre Dirrell had gotten the decision that night in Nottingham? Would those insecurities had ever even surfaced?