Dirrell Wins On DQ
Andre Dirrell scored a disqualification victory over previously unbeaten Arthur Abraham in the 11th round when Abraham landed a knockout blow while Dirrell was on one knee.
Dirrell had boxed a great fight and was fairly comfortably ahead on all three judges scorecards at the end of the 10th round. Abraham made his usual slow start and held a tight high guard defence as Dirrell flashed jabs and combinations. Many shots hit the gloves but some got through.
Andre scored a knockdown in the 4th round, the first time Abraham has been down in his career. He landed a good left while Abraham was off balance and although the knockdown was correctly called Arthur was not hurt.
Abraham came into the fight more as the rounds progressed but he suffered a cut over his eye that needed attention and was a worry for him. He did knock Dirrell down in the 10th round but the referee for some reason ruled it as no knockdown, perhaps thinking Dirrell was tripped or off balance. Replays showed that it was clearly a ounch that put Andre down.
Abraham by this stage did need a knockout and he was looking for it. He did connect with a few shots but Dirrell was always quick and elusive. Abraham still had a fair chance of knocking Dirrell out due to his punching power but Andres advantage in speed was making this difficult.
The end came suddenly when Dirrell slipped on the canvas in one of the corners and went down on one knee. Abraham landed a right hook on a defenceless Dirrell who fell onto his back in a delayed reaction. Initially it didn't look to have caused much damage but then Dirrell was twitching and shaking on the canvass in a worrying way.
After the fight Andre was very confused and disorientated and was due to be taken to hospital for observation. We hope he's OK and suffers no ill effects.
So, it was a bittersweet win for Dirrell; this is not a way that any fighter would want to win a fight and let's hope Dirrell is unaffected for his next fights. Abraham can reflect on a moments lapse that has cost him dearly - he still had a chance to win the fight but has now lost his unbeaten record.
You can see the fight ending on the videoclip below.
