[1][2][3] The bout was held on December 17, 2011, at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States.

[4][5][6] From the time it was announced in July 2009 until the final bout just before Halloween 2011, the super middleweight tournament went on for about 800 days.

Ward's Group Stage 3 bout called off when Dirrell, his 2004 U.S. Olympic teammate, dropped out of the tournament.

However, after Kessler dropped out, Froch met Abraham for the vacant belt in Group Stage 3 and won a decision to claim his title.

Although the fight was competitive throughout, Ward was able to use his superior speed and movement to help him outbox Froch for the first half of the encounter, neutralizing his attack and beating him to the punch at both distance and close range.