Froch v Pascal;quality match-up? (merged)

[tonyevs]

Whilst I appreciate it’s a match up between two unbeaten fighters - I can’t get away from the fact that neither have really fought anybody of real world class credentials.

The best names on Froch record has been a very fringe world class boxer and a semi-retired former world champion, and Pascal has even less on his…

It’s a sad day for boxing when two such guys are deemed worthy to fight for such a prestigious belt as the WBC `s for a world title.

[chinny]

After a dominant unified champ retires or moves up (or in this case possibly both) you're going to get up to 8 guys fighting for the vacant belts.

In that context, this is a quality match.

You might have said the same 16 years ago when Toney let RJJ and Bernard Hopkins scrap for the vacant IBF middle title.

[fluxstuff]

Yeh - two world class, quality, undefeated SMWs facing off for a title. It all follows who they face off with next - I get the impression that Froch wants tests and will aim for Bute or Kessler as soon as possible.

I never really liked the guy, but having seen him as co-presenter on iTV and read this months BM, I've really come to like him. Sure he's a little full of himself, especially where Calzaghe's concerned, but he's sensible, down-to-earth and got a good sense of humour.

[REAL_DEAL]

I think it is a quality match. Better than Froch being gifted the title fighting a has been european fighter or old american fighter. Mick Hennessy biggest fight by far.

[Autobarn]

Pascal has looked bad in a recent fight, but he also has a domination over Kingsley Ikeke that was very impressive. He is fast, and talented, and to his credit he's stepping up. Inkin and Taylor were more qualified, but they took easier fights elsewhere. Pascal has talent, and he has willingness.

Froch had a great peak when he stopped Magee, Tatevosyan and Dodson. He seemed ready for something bigger back then, but he had his knee problem, was out for a while, and suffered 2 WBC title fight pullouts from Inkin. We haven't seen the best of him IMO, but we may see the best of his on Sat, as he steps up another level for a big opportunity.

A lot at stake for both fighters. It looks a quality fight to me. The winner will get no favours because he has TWO MANDATORY obligations in Jermain Taylor and the Karo Murat-Marcus Johnson winner.

[whicker]

I think, more generally, the fact that this fight is being shown on ITV is certainly a step in the right direction.

[jameswilson]

I have to say I think Super-middle over the coming 18 months is going to be a very exciting division. As has been mentioned with Calzaghe stepping up its left us with a lot of guys jostling for position. Kessler, Bute, Inkin, Froch, Pascal, Taylor, Bika (whos rattled together some nice wins recently,) Andrade and a few others will all hopefully be facing off against each other. Im looking forward to it a lot.

With the WBC's 2 mandatory for the winner of a vacant title rule it will hold Froch up a little, but he will hopefully get the fight with Taylor which would put him up there and make him more marketable stateside, even if he loses (well if he gets blown out in 1 it may not be the case.)

Im looking forward to this weekends fight personally.

[tonyevs]

My point was how they hadn`t been involved in any kind of eliminator series to kinda warrant the full belt holder thing.

I don`t see Pascals win over Kingsley Ikeke being that great, it was after an almost 2yr layoff for Ikeke .. after being ko`ed in 5 by middlewight champ Arthur Abraham.

[Chambers2]

My point was how they hadn`t been involved in any kind of eliminator series to kinda warrant the full belt holder thing.

In fairness Froch has been in 2 scheduled final eliminators, only for Inkin not to turn up.

I think this is a cracking fight with plenty of unknowns, granted this is the biggest fight for both of fighters, but both fighters are untarnished with defeat and are coming with plenty of ambition. It's possible that both fighters could go on to BIG things and be involved in more BIG fights in what looks to be a very competitive division. Imagine Froch Vs Andrade, it's got fight of the year writ all over it IMO

[jameswilson]

My point was how they hadn`t been involved in any kind of eliminator series to kinda warrant the full belt holder thing.

In fairness Froch has been in 2 scheduled final eliminators, only for Inkin not to turn up.

I think this is a cracking fight with plenty of unknowns, granted this is the biggest fight for both of fighters, but both fighters are untarnished with defeat and are coming with plenty of ambition. It's possible that both fighters could go on to BIG things and be involved in more BIG fights in what looks to be a very competitive division. Imagine Froch Vs Andrade, it's got fight of the year writ all over it IMO

The way Andrade gave Bute that scare at the end too makes a win while staying out of trouble, a very credible result against Andrade. It certainly makes Kessler's win over him look a lot more impressive.

[stujones]

I think it would be a good "eliminator" style match up, but I can see what the OP is saying.... it just doesn't feel like worthy for the green belt.

I thought the same with Johnson vs Woods - but those two proved me wrong, so maybe the actual fight will.

[charlieb]

There's a cluster of great 'potential' fights at 168, this was one of them. It's hard to be too critical about the strap, there's a lot to be sorted out in the division since Calzaghe's departure and this is as good a fight as any to start the sorting out process.

Also, it's not as though Kessler seems in too much of a rush to reclaim his likely throne. Bute just got tuned up in a fight he mostly dominated, there's no other issue about this fight than it being a fascinating match-up, for me.

I've been leaning towards Pascal for a while but lately I've started to get the feeling that Froch might just be too much for him. This fight will start to answer some of the questions I have about both fighters, if the winner can keep ahold of the belt in their stacked division, then this match will be justified, if not, well then it's at least an interesting fight.

[Chambers2]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7751511.stm

After years of having his ambitions thwarted at every turn, Carl Froch will finally get a shot at a world title on Saturday.

The 31-year-old takes on unbeaten Canadian Jean Pascal in front of his home fans at the Nottingham Arena, with the vacant WBC super-middleweight title up for grabs.

Win, and his life will change forever.

It is by far the most important night of Froch's career, with victory opening the door to fights that just a year ago would have seemed impossible.

Not that you'd know it. With a career-defining fight less than a week away, 'The Cobra' could not be more relaxed.

All eyes have been focused on Joe Calzaghe, David Haye and Ricky Hatton in recent weeks, but Froch has been quietly going about his business at the tranquil Breaffy House Resort in Castlebar, County Mayo.

Froch's willingness to freeze out friends and family highlights the importance of the fight. Nothing has been allowed to blur his focus.

"This is the big one," Froch told BBC Sport.

"It's a world title fight and you don't get much bigger than this unless it is to defend it or unify it.

"Usually I'm in London training at the Real Fight Club in Shoreditch and it's stressful.

"It's an urban jungle and it's a nightmare to get to. You are either on the Tube or bus and it takes it out of you. Waiting to get time in the ring is frustrating so it has been important to get away and concentrate on myself.

"I've brought in my own sparring partners, have a specially-built ring to myself and one of the function rooms was turned into a purpose-made gym. I've had no distractions and I'm a better boxer for it."

For years Froch and his promoter Mick Hennessy have been chasing big fights without success, with Calzaghe among the stars on their hitlist.

But Froch knows that victory will see him become one of the hottest properties in the super-middleweight division, and he cannot wait.

Hennessy has offered Calzaghe a reported £5m to fight Froch if he wins on Saturday, and a deal is also said to have been tabled to meet former middleweight king Jermain Taylor in New York early next year.

I'll be the WBC champion, would have just boxed on prime-time television and all of a sudden I'll be the man everyone is chasing," said Froch.

"You never know, Calzaghe might still come out of the woodwork. But if he doesn't there are other big fights out there for me if I win.
"Jermain Taylor is a marquee name and a marquee fighter and is proven at world level and coming off a good win against Jeff Lacy [who Calzaghe beat in 2006].

"For me to travel to the States and fight a marquee name, at Madison Square Garden, defending a world title, would be phenomenal. It doesn't get any bigger than that."


Froch's match with Pascal will be shown a couple of hours after the latest instalment of ITV1 talent show The X Factor, and the inherited audience should help boost Froch's profile.

"Saturday is as big as it gets," said Froch.

"Around 12m people will be watching and I've got a chance to tap into that. It's big exposure and will catapult me to being a big name, not just to ordinary boxing fans, but to your average sports fan. I'll be a household name."

Pascal will be no walkover. The 26-year-old Canadian is unbeaten in 21 fights, 14 of which have been won by knockout, and beat Liverpool's Paul Smith to win the Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2002.

But Froch, who is unbeaten in 23 fights, has home advantage, with 8,000 fans expected at Nottingham's Trent FM Arena. Against a man who has never fought outside of North America, they may prove crucial.

"Anyone who is ranked in the top five by the WBC is no bum," said Froch, a former two-time ABA middleweight champion and bronze medallist at the 2001 World Amateur Championships.

"It's world-class boxing and this Pascal means business. He's unbeaten in 21 fights and is coming to Nottingham to win that belt.

"But he's coming to my back yard and for me to fight in front of my home fans is brilliant. It's a big night for Nottingham."


Froch is expecting a war when the first bell goes and he has prepared for such an eventuality in sparring.

"He will want to fight and he's a skilful boxer, but I'm ready," added Froch.

"I'll wait for his legs to tire and then I'll take him into the trenches. And when he's there I'll starting hitting him with some serious leather. At that point he'll know he's in trouble."

It is easy to forget that for all the hype, publicity and column inches Calzaghe, Haye and Hatton have generated in recent weeks, the only thing that has been won is pride and prestige - no credible world title belt has changed hands.

On Saturday, Froch gets the chance to win a serious world title. And change his life forever.

It's a massive fight, in front of a massive audience and it needs a massive performance from Froch. I reckon I'm more nervous than he is

[Poncey]

And this isn't in the Froch v Pascal thread because......?

[jacobkeif]

Carl froch is from gedling in nottingham. I've seen him in my local a few times, he looked skinny when i seen him but then he is 6' 2 and 12 stone. My dad trod on his foot. he laughed and seemed very affable to me. Froch was ok to.

I fancy him to win on saturday but make no mistake pascal is good, reminds me a bit of jeff lacy. He has speed and good boxing skills but froch's jab should keep him at bay

[Autobarn]

I think it would be a good "eliminator" style match up, but I can see what the OP is saying.... it just doesn't feel like worthy for the green belt.

I thought the same with Johnson vs Woods - but those two proved me wrong, so maybe the actual fight will.

Problem is that Inkin and Taylor declined or delayed. Froch has really had to wait and when Taylor fought Lacy rather than Froch elim, WBC did the right thing bringing Pascal in. I see it as a good fight, as both are stepping up for a prize they want.

[MightyWarrior]

Carl thinks Pascal has a chin problem, and I'm guessing he saw him in a recent fight, where he looked like he was staggered by a left hook. But Pascal says he was just off balance, and having looked at the clip, it's hard to tell either way.
The Canadian looks a handful though, very slick and very confident - looks like a tough night for both, though you have to fancy Froch to pull through on home ground...

[hitman_hatton1]

i favour pascal to edge this one.

froch has never overly impressed me.

he's too disjointed to beat the top boys out there.

[mike john]

i favour pascal to edge this one.

froch has never overly impressed me.

he's too disjointed to beat the top boys out there.

i agree with you about froch, but consider the top guys as kessler and calzaghe, and a few others just below them. pascal doesnt rank among them

[Chambers2]

And this isn't in the Froch v Pascal thread because......?

I wasn't aware of the (new) necessity to have 1 topic per subject

[whiskey]

It's gonna be a belter.

I think the weigh in is public, someone said the Victoria Shopping Centre in Nottingham with ITV etc there.

[Poncey]

And this isn't in the Froch v Pascal thread because......?

I wasn't aware of the (new) necessity to have 1 topic per subject

Forum rules. I'll update the Brit one as Bronc hasn't done it.

8. USE THE SEARCH FEATURE BEFORE STARTING A NEW THREAD

CHECK TO SEE IF THERE IS A PREVIOUS THREAD ON YOUR TOPIC. REDUNDANT THREADS WILL BE DELETED.

***Please report any violation of these rules by contacting the moderators or by using the Warning feature, which you will find at the bottom right of each post.

Click on the exclamation sign icon ( ) to report the offensive post.***

I don't delete, just merge.

[Chambers2]

And this isn't in the Froch v Pascal thread because......?

I wasn't aware of the (new) necessity to have 1 topic per subject

Forum rules. I'll update the Brit one as Bronc hasn't done it.

8. USE THE SEARCH FEATURE BEFORE STARTING A NEW THREAD

CHECK TO SEE IF THERE IS A PREVIOUS THREAD ON YOUR TOPIC. REDUNDANT THREADS WILL BE DELETED.

***Please report any violation of these rules by contacting the moderators or by using the Warning feature, which you will find at the bottom right of each post.

Click on the exclamation sign icon ( ) to report the offensive post.***

I don't delete, just merge.

Fair enough, duly noted.

Someones gonna get their boots smoked Saturday (and it ain't Our Carl)

[Bard of Boxrec]

I keep changing my mind about this one. Something tells me that Pascal is going to make Froch look ridiculous, but something else tells me that going 12 with Froch bearing down on you is no easy task... From what I've seen of Pascal, IF his chin holds up down the stretch he takes it, IMO.

[Autobarn]

I just think it's great to see some of the next wave of fighters stepping up and risking their necks and their rankings.

It's long overdue, and I also eye the Inkin-Balzsay fight next month, with interest.

Otherwise, it could just drag on forever, slight variations on the Calzaghe/Jones/Hopkins/Tarver senior bores circuit.

I can just see it in 10 years' time. A fvcking table tennis tournament - PPV, naturally - between the "big names", because it's a "big event" - with the senior bores milking their names in one last vain attempt to add to the retirement pot.

Time for the likes of Froch and co to start looking fvcking lethal and get noticed. Add Kessler, Abraham, Dirrell, Taylor, But,e Ward, Zuniga, maybe Bika & Miranda, to the equation. At the very least the hardcore fans get some good fights. At best, maybe a superfight or two appear between the 2 or 3 best from that group. The fun starts...