Hopkins wants Froch

[Autobarn]

hopkins would kill froch in a bout between em froch needs to be senible and fighting to many people he'd be the underdog against

there is being brave and there is being ridiculous.

i mean, how many stars or potential stars has hopkins messed up the careers of?

dibella mentioned hopkins on bunce's hour and froch seemed bemused why anyone would mention a hopkins fight. this is a good sign.

if ppl are calling out froch and making him offers, it's a great sign that he's made a mark and that ppl are underestimating him. if froch and hennessy are wise, they can make some really good calculated risks, be in more great, thrilling fights and make loads of money.

[hurlock]

style's make fights,this fight will be totally diffrent as b-hop is cagey & will allow froch plenty of time unlike sharp shooter taylor.
froch=entertainment he may not be around long possibly so enjoy him while he's there.

[Poncey]

Hopkins - by schooling

x1.5

My only reservation is that at same point Bernard is gonna age. Archie Moore he ain't. Plus these lengthy lay offs don't help.

[alexpaterson]

That would be a bad fight for Froch Hopkins will outsmart him and not get hit with his punches and outbox him and Hopkins will do what he did against Pavlik i think

[whiskey]

I think Froch would fight Hopkins in a heart beat if he could.

Then again, he'd fight anyone at the top level if he could.

[Autobarn]

unlike some!

[fist]

Think its funny that the Froch fans who complain about Calzaghe fighting an old Hopkins and ducking top opponents, are saying that Forch needs a little more experience. He's now a world champion, too late to start saying he needs more experience before fighting old Hopkins! Never heard anything more ridiculous.

Truth is Froch is just not good enough to beat Hopkins, and looking at what successes Taylor had, makes me think Hopkins would make a mess of Froch. Not a fan of Hopkins or his style, and Froch has a puncher's chance, but against Hopkins, he loses IMO.

[sendo]

If decent money is there and Hopkins is indeed willing to drop down to Super Middle then I think Froch should definitely take it.

He's only human and I think the Pavlik fight was his last big performance, doubt he has much left in the tank now.

[Autobarn]

Think its funny that the Froch fans who complain about Calzaghe fighting an old Hopkins and ducking top opponents, are saying that Forch needs a little more experience. He's now a world champion, too late to start saying he needs more experience before fighting old Hopkins! Never heard anything more ridiculous.

Truth is Froch is just not good enough to beat Hopkins, and looking at what successes Taylor had, makes me think Hopkins would make a mess of Froch. Not a fan of Hopkins or his style, and Froch has a puncher's chance, but against Hopkins, he loses IMO.

who would fight hopkins in their 2nd title defence, in their right mind? an absolute defensive master, who in fact made calzaghe look like "the worst fighter in the world who fights like a washerwoman" (mayweather sr's words).

joe had 21 defences and plenty of money behind him. if he was going to lose, at least he had nothing to lose (apart from pride/record) because he'd done it all.

it was a calculated gamble right at the end

it would be insane to fight hopkins, after risking so much last weekend. there are risks and there are artless stupid career moves

plus, it's doubtful a deal could be ironed out. these threads are going off on one, when the fight will probably never happen.

[whiskey]

As a fan i'd rather watch him fight Pavlik or Miranda or Abraham and have a punch up.

Career-wise i'd like him to fight Kessler and Bute.

With regards Hopkins, sure Bernie would be hot favourite going into the fight as he rightly should... but it's an intriguing fight.

Froch ain't like a wooden Tito or Pavlik.

I think he'd take Hopkins far more serious than he did JT and would look for it in the UK and i wouldn't blame him either.

[TheCobra]

I think if Hopkins absolutely took pavlik to school he can do the same to Forch. However the thng with Froch is he doesnt know when he's beat and that absolute desire to carry on and the fact he carries whack could get to Hopkins at some point.

THing with Hopkins is how many more times can he do it, how much longer can he carry the hunger, with every passing fight he surely gets closer to a point where his body might stop being able to handle it.

It;s an intriguing fight if made and would be typical Froch taking massive chances to make a name for himself. Even if your not a fan (which I am massively, hance my username!) I think you have to respect him if he takes this fight or another big fight.

[fist]

Think its funny that the Froch fans who complain about Calzaghe fighting an old Hopkins and ducking top opponents, are saying that Forch needs a little more experience. He's now a world champion, too late to start saying he needs more experience before fighting old Hopkins! Never heard anything more ridiculous.

Truth is Froch is just not good enough to beat Hopkins, and looking at what successes Taylor had, makes me think Hopkins would make a mess of Froch. Not a fan of Hopkins or his style, and Froch has a puncher's chance, but against Hopkins, he loses IMO.

who would fight hopkins in their 2nd title defence, in their right mind? an absolute defensive master, who in fact made calzaghe look like "the worst fighter in the world who fights like a washerwoman" (mayweather sr's words).

joe had 21 defences and plenty of money behind him. if he was going to lose, at least he had nothing to lose (apart from pride/record) because he'd done it all.

it was a calculated gamble right at the end

it would be insane to fight hopkins, after risking so much last weekend. there are risks and there are artless stupid career moves

plus, it's doubtful a deal could be ironed out. these threads are going off on one, when the fight will probably never happen.

Have to disagree mate, he is a world champion - that is supposed to mean something. You are effectively advising that he should duck Hopkins due to the risk of losing. Ridiculous, especially after all the bollox spouted about Joe. Even putting the Calzaghe argument aside, Froch either believes he is the best in the world or he doesn't.

Interestingly I actually agree with you in that despite his strengths, Froch is seriously flawed and a number of levels below being the best. Thus, he is best advised to avoid Hopkins and Kessler for that matter.

[Counter-puncher]

I think he'd take Hopkins far more serious than he did JT and would look for it in the UK and i wouldn't blame him either.

Froch wasn't taking his first defence and his first appearance in america seriously then?

[Captain Hook]

Think its funny that the Froch fans who complain about Calzaghe fighting an old Hopkins and ducking top opponents, are saying that Forch needs a little more experience. He's now a world champion, too late to start saying he needs more experience before fighting old Hopkins! Never heard anything more ridiculous.

Truth is Froch is just not good enough to beat Hopkins, and looking at what successes Taylor had, makes me think Hopkins would make a mess of Froch. Not a fan of Hopkins or his style, and Froch has a puncher's chance, but against Hopkins, he loses IMO.

Well said mate, and then it'll be Kessler.....two guys Calzaghe beat, and yet he never got half the props.

It's a joke.

He should go for Bute next.....

[yiddo14]

Ever heard of the saying "Styles make Fights"(do you reckon anyone said to Frazier that Foreman was all wrong for him 2nd time round?)

Thats why people are saying Hopkins shouldn't be targeted.

The biggest difference between Froch and 99% of other relatively newly crowned World Champs(Calzaghe, Hatton included at the same point)is that if he can make the Hopkins fight, he will. He won't bottle it, he won't duck Hopkins and he won't listen to the naysayers and scaremongers saying "don't do it, there are easier fights out there". No, he will fight him because that's who he is.
Thats why people are getting on the Froch bandwagon

It'ss not hard to understand. Joe for all his talent and ability openly admitted back in the day he didn't want any piece of Roy Jones Jnr when he was near his prime. Do you think Froch would have said the same thing had he been in the same position? No chance, he would have sought the fight(and took his beating

[lefthook82]

I stopped reading when it said he would drop down a weight and come to England

One concession is far fetched, but two!!??

Computer says no

If it does happen 120-108 Hopkins. Possible stoppage as well. Hopkins will get old and beat badly one day but Frich aint the man. He is just too open

[nobby_nobbins]

This is the fight I would like to see for Froch. I said that once he got rid of Taylor in spectacular fashion he would have people like Hopkins and Jones forming a queue outside his door. Froch is no Pavlik - he would actually force Hopkins to fight - which is the last thing he wants to do. Froch by wide decision or stoppage. With Calzaghe retired this is the biggest fight out there for Froch and would take him to the next level - ie MGM Grand and HBO. It appeals to both the casual fan and the boxing scholar on here. It can't miss.

[Autobarn]

Think its funny that the Froch fans who complain about Calzaghe fighting an old Hopkins and ducking top opponents, are saying that Forch needs a little more experience. He's now a world champion, too late to start saying he needs more experience before fighting old Hopkins! Never heard anything more ridiculous.

Truth is Froch is just not good enough to beat Hopkins, and looking at what successes Taylor had, makes me think Hopkins would make a mess of Froch. Not a fan of Hopkins or his style, and Froch has a puncher's chance, but against Hopkins, he loses IMO.

Well said mate, and then it'll be Kessler.....two guys Calzaghe beat, and yet he never got half the props.

It's a joke.

He should go for Bute next.....

Well, Taylor has already beaten Hopkins twice.

i think it would be wise for Froch to adjust his style before taking on such a nightmare opponent. if hopkins IS willing to make 2 concessions - UK and 168-pounds - then hopkins can certainly slip up.

Kessler is a good opponent to go for as he is regarded as super middle #1. Bute is a good opponent as he has quality skills, but can be badly shaken especially late on. Both guys would be unification fights.

Calzaghe took Hopkins with 22 title fights.

And you're saying Froch should fight Hopkins with what, 25 pro fights? Froch has to settle his boxing down, snap out that job, show he can cut down the ring, work the body over and come up with uppercuts. Calzaghe had many easy fights to settle him down.

Joe is a better opponent to go for as a) it's big in Britain, b) he'll have gone soft and put weight on, c) has been dropped twice recently, d) as it's a more exciting fight. More reason for it to happen as an event, and the gulf in experience can be more easily bridged.

Froch has already taken a risk he didn't hve to take. Now he has big names calling HIM out. Joe didn't get any of this - again - until he'd had 22 mostly muted, pre scripted, mostly dodgy "world" title fights - in other words, everything his own way.

again, beat hopkins and look like dogshit
lose to hopkins and set the career back a year or two

i used to think master boxers like hopkins and toney were "the truth", old school counter punchers. however they petered out into outright bores who are so dull to watch that no broadcaster should touch them.

[fist]

Think its funny that the Froch fans who complain about Calzaghe fighting an old Hopkins and ducking top opponents, are saying that Forch needs a little more experience. He's now a world champion, too late to start saying he needs more experience before fighting old Hopkins! Never heard anything more ridiculous.

Truth is Froch is just not good enough to beat Hopkins, and looking at what successes Taylor had, makes me think Hopkins would make a mess of Froch. Not a fan of Hopkins or his style, and Froch has a puncher's chance, but against Hopkins, he loses IMO.

Well said mate, and then it'll be Kessler.....two guys Calzaghe beat, and yet he never got half the props.

It's a joke.

He should go for Bute next.....

Well, Taylor has already beaten Hopkins twice.

i think it would be wise for Froch to adjust his style before taking on such a nightmare opponent. if hopkins IS willing to make 2 concessions - UK and 168-pounds - then hopkins can certainly slip up.

Kessler is a good opponent to go for as he is regarded as super middle #1. Bute is a good opponent as he has quality skills, but can be badly shaken especially late on. Both guys would be unification fights.

Calzaghe took Hopkins with 22 title fights.

And you're saying Froch should fight Hopkins with what, 25 pro fights? Froch has to settle his boxing down, snap out that job, show he can cut down the ring, work the body over and come up with uppercuts. Calzaghe had many easy fights to settle him down.

Joe is a better opponent to go for as a) it's big in Britain, b) he'll have gone soft and put weight on, c) has been dropped twice recently, d) as it's a more exciting fight. More reason for it to happen as an event, and the gulf in experience can be more easily bridged.

Froch has already taken a risk he didn't hve to take. Now he has big names calling HIM out. Joe didn't get any of this - again - until he'd had 22 mostly muted, pre scripted, mostly dodgy "world" title fights - in other words, everything his own way.

again, beat hopkins and look like dogshit
lose to hopkins and set the career back a year or two

i used to think master boxers like hopkins and toney were "the truth", old school counter punchers. however they petered out into outright bores who are so dull to watch that no broadcaster should touch them.

Joe's retired mate. Definately not a fight to go after. As for Hopkins, your still trying to argue that Froch should duck a fighter, no getting away from what your saying. Froch is the champ of world supposedly, but your saying Froch should avoid him. A very sad business in my opinion. If Froch is as good and as bold as all his fans state then he SHOULD take the fight, give it his best and take the beating that he would probably get.

[Autobarn]

Not fighting Hopkins isn't ducking. You are simplifying things. I doubt Froch will settle for one of those disgraceful cosy title reigns that make you into a legend after 10 years.

Froch si champ, he should take it when ready. There are other world class fights out there and 2004 Olympic gold medallist Andre Ward is a more than credible challenfer - if he beats Miranda.

He clearly doesn't listen to his trainer during the fight and - like a young Calzaghe - doesn't bring his hands back after punching. Gym work and fights are needed to change this and it won't happen right away.

Hopkins is a nightmare, many feel he beat Joe, Hennessy seems to make a lot of enemies. I reckon it would be hard to get back in the mix if he lost the title. This isn't FW and the WBO, where you get knocked out and practically get a straight title shot.

Anyway, Froch deserves some fights to settle into the belt. I doubt it would take 16 fights, ala Joe Calzaghe

Hopkins isn't unbeatable - he has looked good because he's had so many pre fight advantages of recent. Pavlik looked like a physical wreck, had no plan and had no business at 175 eg. If Hopkins is moving down, AND coming over here, then it could be a good gamble. But right now I think it'd be silly.

As a Froch fan, I want to see exciting give and take fights (plus some technical improvements). I was dead against Adamek-Hopkins also.

[ArtOfWar]

No he isn't, what Froch have you been watching. Froch is a straigt ahead fighter with no defense whatsoever. Someone like Hopkins is his worst nightmare. I'd give Froch less of a chance against Hopkins than any other fighter at 175 down including Dawson. Dawson has some amazing skills, but he can be caught and hurt. Hopkins on the other hand has a defense tighter than fort knox.

The fight won't happen anyway, Hopkins will want to much money, because he always does and there won't be enough left to satisfy Froch.

Froch is a counter-puncher naturally, he was forced onto the front foot by Taylor who fought off the back foot, but Froch still prevailed. He would have to do the same against Hopkins.

I'm not saying Froch would win, only that i think he would make it surprisingly difficult for Bernard.

Hang on a second, though, James. You're saying Froch was forced out of his natural style against Taylor, because Taylor was a counterpuncher, too. But isn't Hopkins a counterpuncher? And isn't Hopkins the best in the world at taking people out of their game plans?

I don't think he is a counter puncher, he's not fast enough to fight that way at world level. He's looks He's a strong fighter with decent boxing ability to a point. What I mean is he's got good basic technique with a few unorthodox punches in his arsenal as well, but he doesn't have type of ability to unlock someone like Hopkins. He get's beat every day of the week if he tries to beat Hopkins at chess and he's not good enough to make Hopkins fight any other way. Someone like Chad Dawson is, because of his physical ability to go along with his boxing brain, but not Froch.

[nobby_nobbins]

Think its funny that the Froch fans who complain about Calzaghe fighting an old Hopkins and ducking top opponents, are saying that Forch needs a little more experience. He's now a world champion, too late to start saying he needs more experience before fighting old Hopkins! Never heard anything more ridiculous.

Truth is Froch is just not good enough to beat Hopkins, and looking at what successes Taylor had, makes me think Hopkins would make a mess of Froch. Not a fan of Hopkins or his style, and Froch has a puncher's chance, but against Hopkins, he loses IMO.

Well said mate, and then it'll be Kessler.....two guys Calzaghe beat, and yet he never got half the props.

It's a joke.

He should go for Bute next.....

Calzaghe got massive props for beating Kessler. People just don't like many of the fights he had during his WBO wilderness years. I'm one of the few who think Calzaghe would have beaten Jones several years earlier and am therefore frustrated that he had so many fights that added to his stats but did nothing for his legacy. He was worth more than that.

I wonder what Froch thinks about fighting Hopkins? He admitted after the Taylor fight that he froze a bit because he was facing someone who'd beaten his idol, Bernard Hopkins. He even said he had a picture of Hopkins on his wall. Does he really want the fight? I hope so, because it would be fascinating and he could definitely win it.

[whiskey]

He had 10 minutes to get his gloves and tape on and barely got a go on the pads before getting booed into the ring for the biggest fight of his career.

The fact he wasn't himself (and Taylor was) cost him 5 points on the cards.

The thing with Hopkins, is he had been elevated to god-status after his win over Pavlik - and you know what, fair bloody play to him too.

BUT

The reality is Pavlik was as flat as a pancake on the night, weight 169lb as opposed to 187lb in Hopkins.

The rumour is he was hanging out his arse in the week prior to the fight with 'flu but thought he'd have enough to beat Hopkins anyway.

He couldn't even double his jab and his strong fundamentals were nowhere to be seen.

Taking nowt from Bernie, but Kelly was as bad as Bernie was good that night.

[tonyevs]

One thing you have to credit Hopkins with is knowing the type of guys he can safely beat .. sure he got it wrong against Calzaghe - but only just

I can`t believe some people on this thread coming out with lame excuses for Carl`s last performance or even saying he had the Taylor fight under control .. he was 14seconds from defeat

No, Hopkins schools Froch every day of the week, Froch is slow, has a terrible defence, average punch power and was put down in his last fight by a guy who couldn`t put welters or lt-middles away in recent years ... what has Hopkins got to fear in Froch?

But I think Froch should jump at the fight if its offered, it will be a good pay day. Froch won`t have the belt for long so best cash in asap.

[stevieb_8006]

One thing you have to credit Hopkins with is knowing the type of guys he can safely beat .. sure he got it wrong against Calzaghe - but only just

I can`t believe some people on this thread coming out with lame excuses for Carl`s last performance or even saying he had the Taylor fight under control .. he was 14seconds from defeat

No, Hopkins schools Froch every day of the week, Froch is slow, has a terrible defence, average punch power and was put down in his last fight by a guy who couldn`t put welters or lt-middles away in recent years ... what has Hopkins got to fear in Froch?

But I think Froch should jump at the fight if its offered, it will be a good pay day. Froch won`t have the belt for long so best cash in asap.

i'd dispute the "average punch power" bit