DETROIT -- Andre Dirrell beat Arthur Abraham on a disqualification for an intentional foul at 1:13 of the 11th round on Saturday night in the second stage of the Super Six World Boxing Classic.

Dirrell (19-1) slipped when he was hit by a glancing blow to the chin in the corner. While Dirrell was sitting down, Abraham hit him across the chin with a right hand and Dirrell couldn't continue.

Dirrell appeared to be winning the fight decisively. It was Abraham's first loss in 31 career fights.

Both fighters had a lot of support at Joe Louis Arena. Dirrell is from Flint, about 60 miles north of Detroit. The Armenian-born Abraham drew a large contingent of Armenian-Americans from the Detroit area, who carried a large flag.

Dirrell dominated the fight with his mobility and hand speed, landing strong punches to Abraham's head and body throughout the fight.

Dirrell knocked Abraham down with about 30 seconds left in the fourth with a right hand. Abraham got back to his feet and took a standing eight count. Dirrell landed a couple of more blows before the round ended.

Dirrel opened a cut by Abraham's right eye in the seventh.

It appeared Abraham knocked Dirrel down with a straight right in the 10th, but it was called a slip by the referee.

Abraham began to rally in the eighth round, but Dirrell was able to avoid the slugger's heavy blows. At one point in the round Dirrell used the rope a dope tactic to duck most of the most dangerous punches and continue to frustrate Abraham.

Dirrell bounced back with a strong ninth round, in which the action was halted for a couple of minute for a cut to Abraham's head caused by a head butt.