NEW YORK —  An ambitious, six-man super middleweight tournament kicks off Saturday night with a couple of bouts pitting former U.S. Olympians against European boxers.

Jermain Taylor will fight former middleweight standout Arthur Abraham in Berlin, before Olympic bronze medalist Andre Dirrell challenges WBC champion Carl Froch in his hometown of Nottingham, England.

The other opening match will feature former Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward against WBA champion Mikkel Kessler on Nov. 21 in Oakland, Calif.

Television executive Ken Hershman The tournament is expected to conclude in 2011 _ assuming all the fighters stay with it.

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