not one?

J · Post by J » 03 Jun 2004, 05:52

thread or comment on Froch?

I thought he did ok last night and the canadian was game and solid, Froch is far too open defensively though for my liking but he looked ok coming forward against a durable opponent.

He likes to mix it and I actually think he is quite exciting to watch, not sure bout the fiuture world champ but in only his 13th fight I quite like his attitude, he will undoubtedly get belted at some point but he doesnt seem scared to up the level of oppoenent at this early stage, which lets face it in the face of recent critisicisms is worthy of some praise.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 03 Jun 2004, 06:02

Just saw the finish last night - not sure how it went in the early rounds but I've got a tape here and will watch it later.
Wonder if they're going to try and make the Dodson fight now, or have they just given up on that one? Is the Board gonna strip Dodson?

J · Post by J » 03 Jun 2004, 06:03

not sure mate, way they were talking last night was Barney for the vacant title then Froch if sucessful to defend against Dodson. Seems logical while Dodson recovers.

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 03 Jun 2004, 07:22

My hatred for Froch is (or should be) well known. He did alright last night, but only when there was nothing coming back from the Canadian. Before he really hurt Woolnough, Froch was consistantly being caught on the way in, and at one point he was actually hurt (i can't remember which round, but it was on the between round highlights. Look out for it, his legs have a little wobble, and he brings his hands up sharpish).

I realise this is a guy with only a handful of professional fights under his belt etc etc etc, but he will never fulfill the hype. As a Brit i want him to do well, having said that he has flaws that will be exposed as soon as he steps up to a decent level.

To me he's fighting with a style that doesn't suit him. He carries his hands low and relies on his reflexes. He's not good enough to do that. You can count on you fingers how many guys in history have been able to fight like that at the top. He'd be a much better proposition if he was to fight with a more orthodox style, because he can put his punches together, but with the style he's got it leaves him so open when he does.

I just don't know what it is about him, but i can't warm to the bloke as a person either.

J · Post by J » 03 Jun 2004, 07:25

Far enough we all have our preferred fighters.

I agreee he fights simiallry in style to haye but is know where near as good and Haye isnt as defensively open (even though he is open enough)

Good point think it was round 4, he did get stung..

DOG · Post by **DOG** » 03 Jun 2004, 07:31

I thought Froch did well, as his oppo was a late replacement with different style and certainly no mug.
Left hand is a problem.Far too low...What I will say is his defense, is that even though he took a few shots, defensively he wasn't too bad as he was taking the shots on the retreat or moving his head away as they were landing.

Arrogance..thats what I like to see in a fighter. He believes in himself. Eubank had that, Benn had that. It's part of a champions make-up.

One question I would ask though. Is he the boss in the corner or is McCracken. The sound advice been dished out in there last night, looked to be largely ignored..Every round we heard McCracken imploring Froch to use his left more and to not present such a square on target.
Maybe I'm wrong.

Good learning fight for Froch. Onto the next step, which is mooted to be Barney.

J · Post by J » 03 Jun 2004, 07:33

yeah he did slip some of the shots but if he held his lead hand up he would be taking most of them on the gloves instead of risking moving out the way. Seems a silly risk to me for the sake of looking flashy, I dont mind froch, I dont think he is as bad as some, he even wished dodson all the best for his recovery which after the war of words was a nice touch.

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 03 Jun 2004, 07:34

The style works better for Haye because he's so much faster than Froch. Froch isn't anywhere near quick enough on his feet, or with his hands, or with his upper body movement, or with his head movement, to carry it off.

I'll give him this much though, his chin's pretty decent at this level. That wobble was only a split second, and it's the only time i've noticed him a little shaken.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 03 Jun 2004, 07:44

I don't think Froch's defence is good enough and he definately needs to tighten up if he is to move into better company, offensively though he looks good and has skills and can mix it too. His foe was tough and game and caught him with a few too many shots so my main concern would certainly be his defence at this stage. I wouldn't mind seeing Froch-Barney actually, i think Froch would beat Barney.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 03 Jun 2004, 08:00

In a line: Carl Froch ain't gonna make it.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 03 Jun 2004, 08:04

At times Froch was committing some cardinal errors in there, standing square on, almost turning his back on his opponent, and winging away with wide shots when getting hit. Against low calibre opposition he can turn all that around by putting his shots together, but top calibre fighters are going to rip him to shreds if he tries to be a fancy dan.

Froch seems to fight as if he's the second coming of Ali, but the truth is he's pretty flat footed, and hasn't the speed or reflexes for that routine, he obviously admires fighters like Roy Jones, but he's not cut from the same cloth and will do a lot better if he learns to accept that, and devises a style which maximises his assets, and stops him getting him with needless shots.

It does appear that Froch is oblivious to whatever advice comes his way, I heard him interviewed after the Adamu fight I think it was, and his reponse to being asked about whether his defence needed tightening up, was ridiculous, something along the lines of.

"Nah, it's not a problem, it's my style, it's always been my style since I was an amateur, it's the way I like to fight, and I'm not going to change it now...besides it's safe, I've got my chin tucked in behind the shoulder..!!"

Well we saw how safe his chin was tucked in there When Adamu was battering it with right hands all night, but Froch strikes me as a man who refuses to compromise his style. Sure self-belief is important, but Benn, Eubank and Naseem all had styles which played to their strengths, Benn didn't try and caper around the ring with his hands by his sides, because he knew it didn't suit him, and Froch has to realise that he cannot get away with the shit he's pulling now against proper operators, he might win against some decent fighters by pulling a combination out of nowhere and stopping them, but eventually he'll get taken apart.

Christ, Imagine if that was Jeff Lacy in there, Froch would just be coming round now.

J · Post by J » 03 Jun 2004, 08:17

yip an accurate and well worded assessment as usual Mr Mc!

Also kudos to Ian Mc who did say that Woolnough would be a tough nut to crack and was no slouch....insightful as usual from you guys

(nuff arse kissing already but credit where its due)

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 03 Jun 2004, 08:32

I totally agree with James's assessment, Froch was at times almost turning away and dancing whenever his game opponent came at him. He needs to hone his own style instead of trying to steal a bit of everyone else's. He has to get back to basics and keep his hands up and work thew jab better instead of trying to look flash all the time, as Bennie says he will probably not even make it anyway

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 03 Jun 2004, 08:44

Froch was ok last night, but who did he beat

Hardhitters11 · Post by **Hardhitters11** » 03 Jun 2004, 09:10

Froch has never impressed me and again the flaws of his style was there for all to see...he did the job but as James Mc said he doesnt actually have the skills etc required for the style he is trying to emulate.

I see Froch being exposed in the not too far future depending on how he is matched.

HH

Matchfixer · Post by **Matchfixer** » 03 Jun 2004, 14:30

I feel Froch performed well last night and was by far the superior boxer.

Although he is not the second coming of Ali or Roy Jones, he does exhibit skills superior to most other British boxers who are on their way up (David Haye excluded)

His shot selection is excellent and his accuracy is usually pretty high. I would like to see him up his work rate a little at times, perhaps by sacrificing a little accuracy. At times he switches off, a little like Howard Eastman.

Like you guys say his defence could be tighter but with a bit of work his skills should take him a long way.

The Devil In Roy Jones · Post by **The Devil In Roy Jones** » 03 Jun 2004, 14:37

DOG wrote:One question I would ask though. Is he the boss in the corner or is McCracken. The sound advice been dished out in there last night, looked to be largely ignored..Every round we heard McCracken imploring Froch to use his left more and to not present such a square on target.
Maybe I'm wrong.

Nice spot. I noticed that too. I remember Froch constantly looking left to right instead of directly at McCracken and having to be asked by his trainer "Are you listening?", "listen to me!" Though, to be fair, I don't think there's a rift, Carl just seems like an arrogant type of person.

The Canadian was a 'tough nut to crack' and I've seen a lot worse late-subs. However, I do think that Froch could have stopped it a round or two earlier if he had worked the body more when inside. The way he was taking one, two, sometimes three shots when trying to get inside may have been the reason for him not doing this. But even then, he seemed content with throwing one-two's at long range from the outside, which were mostly blocked by Woolnough. He gave me the impression he was a little too much focussed on trying to look good in his style, than 100% intent on destroying the opponent in front of him, which may prove to be his downfall as he steps up.

theguru · Post by **theguru** » 03 Jun 2004, 15:02

Well Bennie if your definition of making it is to defend a WBU belt against bums then I guess u are right Carl ISNT GOING TO MAKE IT.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 03 Jun 2004, 15:13

theguru wrote:Well Bennie if your definition of making it is to defend a WBU belt against bums then I guess u are right Carl ISNT GOING TO MAKE IT.

My definition of making it is a genuine world title - WBC, WBA or IBF. The three Froch says he's going to win.

TheRiverCityHippy · Post by **TheRiverCityHippy** » 03 Jun 2004, 15:49

cobraman can do anything he wants to man, he`s got magic powers and skillz befitting the superhero status he holds, he`s not a square like superman or reed richards, oh no cobramans waaaay cooler , kinda like the fly from the film carwash only funkier.
dont you cats watch the cartoons? they`re far out........man.
8)

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 03 Jun 2004, 18:45

Matchfixer wrote:At times he switches off, a little like Howard Eastman.

Howard who? Oh him yes...he used to box didn't he

Wilko · Post by **Wilko** » 04 Jun 2004, 08:10

Frochs a good fighter but I think he'll be found short at the highest level unless he improves his defence.

Everytime I've seen him he's been hit far too much - against a puncher could be goodnight from the Cobra.