FLINT, MI – Andre Dirrell's time away from boxing was best summed up in three words.
"It was hell," he made clear.
Going from being considered as one of the top super middleweight prospects in boxing to fading into obscurity for these past few years was more than frustrating. At times, the Flint native would watch guys in the super middleweight division claim titles and he would feel like an average Joe sitting around.
Lately, Dirrell is as happy as he's been in a long time while training for his comeback bout scheduled for Aug. 1 at Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, Wash. on ESPN2's Friday Night Fights.
Renan St-Juste was originally set to be his opponent but he backed out at the last minute due to a foot injury so the Dirrell camp is searching for another opponent to fill in the slot but the fight will still happen, Dirrell confirmed.
He's fought only three fights in the past four years and his last bout was over a year ago versus Michael Gbenga on Feb. 12, 2012, when he won a unanimous decision.
"Some days, I would look up and then I'd be at a standstill but all the while all I could do was pretty much train," Dirrell explained. "The motivation was there for the most part, but it would be a lot of times where I didn't even feel like going to the gym because all hope seemed like it was lost. The only thing that kept me going was working out, that kept me sane being in the gym."
Dirrell (21-1, 14 KO's) is back working with one of the most powerful names in boxing again, Al Hayman, after leaving the power broker in 2012. Hayman, who is best known for advising Floyd Mayweather, helped Dirrell get out of his deal with Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's SMS Promotions.
Already 30 years old, with his prime years in his rear view, Dirrell grew tired of waiting on 50 Cent's company to take off.
He needed to make a move fast.
"We didn't end on bad terms," Dirrell said. "I always kept a respectful tone with him but the main thing is that my situation was a little too unique with 50 Cent, especially the way he worked his way into the game he made it pretty much hard on himself.
"I believe he was pretty much being blackballed and the problems that 50 Cent is having trying to get in the game, I pretty much didn't have time for it," he added.
"I'm trying to get back on my feet as well, so I decided to part ways that way and I did it in a way to stay on good terms."
This next match isn't viewed as a walkover match for Dirrell. His camp is trying to pick someone who poses a stiff challenge.
"I'm ready to get back in the groove of things real fast and get back in the top rankings," Dirrell said. "What this did was helped me realize how much this sport means to me and also to respect the sport, so I've become a better fighter mentally outside of the ring and I have a better understanding for the sport since I've been out.
"I have no regrets."
http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/index.ssf/2014/07/andre_dirrell_splits_from_50_c.html
but ive never seen him wobbled yet..his stamina was the lone reason why he didnt lift that title off bika
