Andre Dirrell: “Badou Jack Is The Guy I’m Actually Looking At”

Andre Dirrell Calling For a Fight Against Former Two-Division World Champion Badou Jack

At the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, former IBF World Interim super middleweight champion Andre Dirrell (27-3, 17 KOs) disposed of an outclassed Christopher Brooker (16-8, 7 KOs) in three rounds. Dirrell looked sharp throughout as he was dominant from the opening bell.

For the victor, it was his first time back in the ring following a nineteen-month layoff. Given that backdrop, Dirrell gave himself an A-plus grade. Afterward, the fighter nicknamed “The Matrix” spoke on who he would like to face going forward. His preferred target? A showdown against former 168 and 175-pound world champion Badou “The Ripper” Jack (24-3-3, 14 KOs).

“That’s a name I’m looking forward to, to stamp my name. He’s a fighter that has every test for me to possibly prove myself in that ring. Whether it’s for a championship or not. Badou Jack is a guy who is a warrior, who fights his ass off.

If I want to prove myself, I definitely want to do it against a fighter like that. So Badou Jack is the guy I’m actually looking at.”

A BATTLE OF SEASONED VETS

Following his last fight in June of 2021, a fourth-round TKO win over Dervin Colina, Jack hinted at a move up to the cruiserweight division. However, the 37-year-old resident of Las Vegas still is ranked by all four major sanctioning organizations at light heavyweight. He’s ranked as high as second by the WBC. Dirrell has spent the bulk of his time at super middleweight, but now is world-rated at 175. Currently, he’s ranked tenth by the WBA.

Assuming Jack has a change of heart and does not decide to move up, a fight with Dirrell is plausible. Yes, both men are in their 30s and nearing the end of their careers. They are not the fighters that they were in their younger days. Yet they are still viable names and have something left in the tank.

Were they to rumble, it would be a battle of world-ranked fighters at 175. The winner would take a significant step towards one last world title try, one last attempt at attaining glory. It would be a battle of grizzled old-heads. Based on age and styles, there is potential for a good scrap.

There is also this one last interesting note. For years Dirrell and Jack fought at 168, with their paths never crossing. One would think that they would have faced each other at some point. How ironic would it be if they finally fought now? Dirrell has laid down the gauntlet. The ball is now in the corner of Badou Jack to see if he accepts the challenge.

By: Michael Wilson Jr.

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