Calzaghe vs Froch

Mrbigshot · Post by **Mrbigshot** » 13 May 2008, 09:22

Froch wouldn't be the kind of fighter that Joe would want to fight, even if the money was better, Froch does his best work while under fire and Joe's fire isn't up to much these days. I've heard all sorts of nonsense regarding this potential match-up, one of the most ridiculous is the idea of Joe knocking Froch out.
Joe by a wide 'Lacying' is another popular term, although why anyone would assume Joe could treat Carl the way he treated a rather ponderous, one-dimensional Lacy is baffling. Apparently he keeps his left hand low and therefore is open to a big right - just like Lewis and Haye then.

Tykemania · Post by **Tykemania** » 14 May 2008, 03:10

tony3 wrote: It's very difficult to tell. Froch appears very heavy-handed against second-rate opposition (although, interestingly, Calzaghe possessed a higher KO ratio at the same stage in his career) but his power has yet to be tested against someone with a world-class chin.

Another difference between Froch and B Hop is that Froch always aims for a clean, camera-friendly finish so wouldn't waste the match trying to spoil Calzaghe's boxing - unfortunately for Froch, I think that this is something that would work against him.

However Froch does seem exceptionally strong for such one possessed of such a wiry frame and would be, I'm sure, ridiculously determined to emerge victorious should this match ever be made.

For me the bottom line is this; the best Calzaghe that's ever lived, beats Froch hands down, but with age an affluence now catching up with the Italian Dragon, it's now veering ever closer to being a 50/50 affair.

Have to agree that this fight is nowhere near as one sided as it would have been a year ago - Joe is clearly starting to age slightly, and Froch has the one thing, genuine power, that could give him trouble. Having said that, I'd still back Joe to blind Froch with his hand speed and frustrate him into a series of errors; my gut instinct being a similar kind of decision win to the Kessler fight.

Froch-Kessler would be a minor classic though - as, if he were to pick up the WBC, woudl Froch - Pavlik when the Youngstown lad eventually moves up.

twenty six · Post by **twenty six** » 15 May 2008, 07:31

That hand down around the knee (note not waist) will be Froch's undoing once he steps up in class.
Calzaghe would catch him and there's no way this would be a distance fight.
That said, this fight will never happen.
However, it won't take Calzaghe to halt Froch in his tracks.

WildWaylon · Post by **WildWaylon** » 15 May 2008, 07:41

Calzaghe would be far too good for Froch and would beat him easily. The punch power of Lacy didnt worry Joe, so its unlikely Froch would bother him either. I wouldnt mind seeing the two fight but as we all know Joe is now looking for a huge payday with a big name, more than likely RJJ.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 15 May 2008, 09:03

I don't think Calzaghe would have an easy night's work with Froch.

Froch has the tools to make an impact on Joe, and Joe's lack of concussive power these days would work against him. I'm not saying Froch would win, but despite many people saying his low left hand would get him clocked, thus far, it hasn't happened.

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 15 May 2008, 09:09

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I don't think Calzaghe would have an easy night's work with Froch.

Froch has the tools to make an impact on Joe, and Joe's lack of concussive power these days would work against him. I'm not saying Froch would win, but despite many people saying his low left hand would get him clocked, thus far, it hasn't happened.

He has fought someone with Joe's speed, though?

It's a MASSIVE step up in quality compared to whom Carl has already fought.

twenty six · Post by **twenty six** » 15 May 2008, 10:55

Emerson - on the money, mate.
James - it's all about when he steps up in class.
If he wants to be the No 1 he'll have to face a significantly better quality of opponent then he has done so far.
When he does, then sorry to say it, that's when this low hand frailty will get exposed.
He will be ko'd.
I've said it for years now on these boards - when is MsCracken gonna iron this problem out ? It's not like he ain't had time to work on it in the Gym.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 15 May 2008, 14:46

twenty six wrote:Emerson - on the money, mate.
James - it's all about when he steps up in class.
If he wants to be the No 1 he'll have to face a significantly better quality of opponent then he has done so far.
When he does, then sorry to say it, that's when this low hand frailty will get exposed.
He will be ko'd.
I've said it for years now on these boards - when is MsCracken gonna iron this problem out ? It's not like he ain't had time to work on it in the Gym.

I know what you're saying, but I think Froch has an extra gear, when he needs to, he steps up his output, as he has done in recent fights.

As for the low left hand, McCracken isn't to blame, I've interviewed Carl before, and he simply said 'that's my style, I fought like that since I was an amatuer (and a very good one at that), and I'm not going to change it now.

Although it leaves him open, it also allows him to bring the left up from unexpected angles.

Calzaghe similarly, doesn't fight out a high guard, and is often open when in the midst of an attack.

Calzaghe is a lot faster, but Froch has good timing, and you don't have to match your opponents speed to beat them.

Right now I'd give Froch a 30% chance of beating Calzaghe, he would rightly start underdog, but a very live one.

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 15 May 2008, 14:52

Froch looks good at the level he has been competing, other than Magee who gave him some things to think about - But on the whole, he's been bullying around people who are either finished, fighting at relatively short notice or not near his level.

He needs to have a serious fight now, to show us what he is made of - I know the Inkin fight wasn't his fault, but we need to see if he can really step up to the plate.

As for his lazy arms down style, that ain't ever gonna be corrected, and that's down to Froch who doesn't listen to his corner - I've heard McCracken getting on his case in nearly every fight.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 15 May 2008, 15:10

his low left hand would get him clocked, thus far, it hasn't happened.

Not clocked yet, but he eats right hands like when he fought Adamu and a shot reid put him off balance with timed right hands.

Dioufy · Post by **Dioufy** » 15 May 2008, 15:59

I like Froch a hell of a lot but he wouldn't beat Calzaghe yet. He needs more fights against people with fast hand speed, because most of his fights have been against methodical opponents as of yet, but he should win a world-title eventually.

I also think people knock Calzaghe's power too much. It's not Mike Tyson-esque but he hits hard.

Lacy - that fight should've been stopped late on.
Kessler - I will bet that he will never get beat by a KO or TKO.
Hopkins - ss knockout proof.
Bika - bad night for Joe but still won.
Manfredo - stopped early but would've been stopped anyway.