Green earns Super Six nod

Published Feb. 23, 2010 11:53 p.m. ET

foxsports

Allan Green always figured he could beat anybody in the Super Six World Boxing Classic. Now he'll get a chance to prove it.

Green was officially announced as the opponent for WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward on Monday, even though he'd been the likely replacement for Jermain Taylor for weeks.

Taylor withdrew from the modified round-robin tournament last month following a knockout loss to Arthur Abraham in the opening round that left him in the hospital. It was Taylor's fourth loss in five fights, including three by knockout.

``I always had a feeling I was going to get into the tournament,'' said Green, who is already training in Florida for the fight on April 24. The site has not been announced.

Green (29-1, 20 KOs) has won six straight fights and will be challenging for his first world title. Perhaps more importantly, he'll be trying to earn some points in the tournament.

The unique concept rewards fighters based on the outcome of three group-stage fights, with three points for a knockout, two for a decision and one for a draw. According to the tournament rules, Green enters with the same amount of points as the last-place fighter - zero.

Still, that doesn't seem to bother Green, who is coming off a clear decision over previously undefeated Travis Simms. He's just happy to be fighting.

``I just don't see anyone who can beat me,'' Green said. ``I've watched all the fighters over and over. I've studied all of them and I know I can beat any of them.''

The only gold medalist from the 2004 U.S. Olympic team, Ward (20-0, 13 KOs) will be making the first defense of the title he won from Mikkel Kessler in his opening bout of the tournament.

The Green-Ward fight will be aired live on Showtime along with taped coverage of another group match from Herning, Denmark, between Kessler and WBC champion Carl Froch. The other match in the group stage is between Abraham and Andre Dirrell on March 27.

Dates for the third group-stage fights haven't been announced, but they'll pit Froch against Abraham, Kessler against Green, and Dirrell against Ward in a battle of Olympic teammates.

The four fighters with the most points will advance to seeded semifinals, with the champion crowned next year.

``I don't think I'm a long shot,'' Green said. ``I'm one of the best super middleweights in the world and the tournament rules allow me to come in and be in the mix with a chance to advance and ultimately win this thing.''