Our Experts Decide: Andre Dirrell vs. Blake Caparello

 
BLAKE Caparello will look to upset the odds against the favoured Andre Dirrell this weekend.

 
The defensively astute Caparello (22-1-1, 6 KOs) faces former two-time super middleweight title challenger Dirrell (24-2, 16 KOs) at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City in a ten round non-title fight with possible title implications.

 
The pair will finally collide at the second chance of offering after Dirrell withdrew from an October bout with an undisclosed injury. The 32-year-old American hasn’t fought since losing a decision to James DeGale last May.

 
Aus-Boxing spoke to a group of industry insiders to get their thoughts on who would win and why.

 
 
Ben Damon, MAIN EVENT – Record: 13-9

 
Dirrell W10 Caparello: I really want Blake Caparello to win this fight. What’s more is that I think he can.

 
Andre Dirrell is no superstar, and having had some dealings with the Dirrell brothers I can attest to the fact that they are not the most likeable family in boxing. With two southpaws in the ring the action here could be messy, and we did see Dirrell collapse when faced with the left-handed James DeGale.

 
Caparello is probably even more awkward than DeGale, and he has a great shot at out-awkwarding Dirrell. However, as unprofessionally as the Dirrells conduct themselves they are treated extremely sympathetically in the US, and Caparello would likely need multiple knockdowns to earn himself a decision in this fight.

 
For that reason I predict a Dirrell points victory, but I’ll be screaming for Caparello.

 
 

Adam Wilcock, Promoter/Manager – Record: 14-9

 
Dirrell W10 Caparello: I keep saying the same thing about Blake, he’s defensively excellent and probably the most strategic boxer in the country. But to win he’ll need to have added some offensive weapons into the arsenal.

 
A fight at the top level like this is massive and hopefully Blake has enough offensive tools to get the job done.

 
 

Alex McClintock, Journalist for TQBR/Radio National – Record: 4-1

 
Dirrell UD10 Caparello: Unfortunately, I think Blake Caparello is in for another disappointing trip Stateside.

 
Andre Dirrell isn’t going to steamroll him like Sergey Kovalev did, but I reckon Dirrell will win a relatively dominant decision in an ugly fight.

 
 

Chris McCullen, Trainer – Record: 1-2

 
Dirrell W10 Caparello: A pretty good name for Blake to get in with. Dirrell is a good lefty with good skills.

 
Blake has a very crafty and tricky style. He will need to make things as awkward as he can for Dirrell, a lot of hitting and moving, a lot of angles, don’t let Dirrell get settled into a pattern.

 
Like ‘Big Daddy’ did, I hope Blake proves me wrong but it’s hard to go past someone of Dirrell’s calibre.

 
 
Brett Bonetti, Journalist for 6PR/96FM – Record: 5-1

 
Dirrell TKO6 Caparello: This is another big jump in class for Blake Caparello.

 
Andre Dirrell will see this fight with Caparello as an opportunity to get back in the winners list following his loss to James DeGale. With two southpaws in the ring, Caparello needs to frustrate Dirrell and make it his fight.

 
But I think Dirrell is just a level above and will bounce back to get a stoppage win.

 
 

Neil Devey, Journalist for The West Australian – Record: 3-1

 
Dirrell W10 Caparello: Dirrell showed against James DeGale that he’s still a world class fighter.

 
Down twice early, he finished the stronger and if he could have won one more round from the Englishman he would have salvaged a majority draw. Caparello’s best bet is a stoppage – but with just six early finishes in 24 – and none in his last ten, he needs a turnaround in fortune.

 
 

Cody Kaye, Journalist for Fox Sports – Record: 4-1

 
Dirrell W10 Caparello: Former two-time super middleweight title challenger Andre Dirrell represents another huge chance for Australia’s Blake Caparello to prove he belongs alongside the elite fighters in the division.

 
A win over the Olympic Bronze gold medalist would put Caparello right in the mix to fight for a title later this year, but he’ll have to show he can handle elite competition by making a statement in front of an American crowd.

 
I’m not not convinced Caperello has the power to hand Dirrell his first stoppage so he’ll need to box perfectly over the scheduled ten rounds. Tough fight and kudos to the Australian for taking it, but I’ll pick Dirrell on points.
 
 

Phil D. Jay, Editor for World Boxing News – Record: 4-2

 
Dirrell UD10 Caparello: Andre has too much skill for Caparello and should be able to see out a wide points win.

 
 

Adam Santarossa, Journalist for SportingNews – Record: 6-1

 
Dirrell W10 Caparello: You have to commend Blake Caparello for taking on all comers.

 
Domestically he’s called out some big names, but no one has answered the call. Andre Dirrell is one tough customer though and I think he’ll have a little too much class for Blake.

 
Fights with Froch, DeGale and Abraham show the level he’s at and I just dont think Caparello is on the same level.

 
 

Lincoln Hudson, Trainer – Record: 15-5

 

Dirrell W10 Caparello: Blake’s skills are some what underestimated, unlike Dirrell. I see this fight coming down to who exerts their skills first. Whoever does this will dominate the fight.

 
In saying that, I think Dirrell will just be a little too experienced for Caparello and I think he will have too much skill. Regardless of the result, this could be a career-high for Blake either way.

 
 

Sam Labruna, Caparello’s Trainer – Record: 12-3

 

Caparello W10 Dirrell: This is going to be a great fight. These two fighters are both tricky customers who can box.

 
There’s a lot riding on this fight for our team and Blake is ready.

 
 

Brendan Bourke, Manager/Advisor – Record: 16-3

 
Caparello W10 Dirrell: Blake is always looking to fight the best around the world so you need to respect that. Sparring camps with Stevenson, Pascal, Fonfara and Beterbiev show that he holds his own.

 
Obviously Dirrell starts favorite however Blake has enough skill to turn this into a good fight. The bookies say Dirrell but my heart says Blake will win.

 
 

George Reno, Trainer – Record: 13-4

 
Dirrell W10 Caparello: Your only as good as your last fight. I wasn’t impressed with Blake’s most recent performance.

 

 
 
Photos: Provided