Bernard Hopkins vs Carl Froch could be ON

[exittored]

Hopkins is 44, but still rated as one of the best boxers in the world. After losing to Joe Calzaghe last April, he thoroughly outboxed Kelly Pavlik, the WBC and WBO middleweight champion, who was regarded as America's big new star, in October.

Having had his hopes of a rematch with Calzaghe dashed when the Welshman retired unbeaten, Hopkins has turned his attentions to Froch. The American believes that a late-summer bout is possible at Madison Square Garden, New York, but he wants something agreed within the next month or he could retire.

Having failed to get a UK broadcaster to show the bout live, his next contests will most likely be in the United States. “Froch is a tough fighter, can take a punch and he has balls,” Hopkins said. “It would be a hell of a fight and he got recognition for the way he knocked Taylor out. He deserves it.

“What better commercial can you get than by fighting me? He introduced himself by beating Taylor and he can seal the deal by becoming a superstar if he fights me.”

Beating Jermain Taylor and Bernard Hopkins would firmly establish Froch as a Star in America but whether he has what it takes to beat Hopkins is another thing.

[The Hawk]

I say lets get it on and lets see who can beat who!

[Asterix]

I don't think Hopkins would school Froch like he did Pavlik (who was 10 lbs above his ideal weight and couldn't fire off his punches due to a problem with his right[?] arm), but I'm pretty sure Hopkins would win. The scorecards would make you think Hopkins had schooled him.

But the great thing about it, for Froch, is that even if he loses a wide decision it won't affect his reputation badly. And maybe he would still have his World title?

[gobbles]

Hopkins is 44, but still rated as one of the best boxers in the world. After losing to Joe Calzaghe last April, he thoroughly outboxed Kelly Pavlik, the WBC and WBO middleweight champion, who was regarded as America's big new star, in October.

Having had his hopes of a rematch with Calzaghe dashed when the Welshman retired unbeaten, Hopkins has turned his attentions to Froch. The American believes that a late-summer bout is possible at Madison Square Garden, New York, but he wants something agreed within the next month or he could retire.

Having failed to get a UK broadcaster to show the bout live, his next contests will most likely be in the United States. “Froch is a tough fighter, can take a punch and he has balls,” Hopkins said. “It would be a hell of a fight and he got recognition for the way he knocked Taylor out. He deserves it.

“What better commercial can you get than by fighting me? He introduced himself by beating Taylor and he can seal the deal by becoming a superstar if he fights me.”

Beating Jermain Taylor and Bernard Hopkins would firmly establish Froch as a Star in America but whether he has what it takes to beat Hopkins is another thing.

Be a good fight for Froch, really create some interest in him

[Coco]

Typical Hopkins not wanting to travel, would prob want the lions share of the purse too

[Dioufy]

I don't think Carl would win this, but imagine if he did - Hopkins is P4P#3 on most peoples list.

[moody100]

froch wins this and hes a massive superstar. It's not outside the realm of possibility. He'd have to make Bernard come down to fight him of course, if he moves up he compromises his chances. Maybe a catchweight would be fair.

I think bernard is a much better fighter than froch though. As much as I like froch, i just can't see him beating the crafty, multi dimensional Bernard.

[Coco]

Bhop would never come down in weight, he made Pavlik move up 2 divisions, he don't make fights unless everything is on his terms

[crusader]

froch wins this and hes a massive superstar. .

I think that's stretching it a bit, but never the less a it would be a huge win for Carl not just considering how well regarded Hopkins is, but in the process he would have matched Joe's best win in only 26 fights. However, unless Hop gets old overnight I predict he will win rather comfortably.

[crusader]

Typical Hopkins not wanting to travel, would prob want the lions share of the purse too

I think its better if this fight happens in the U.S. Froch will get more credit and in the process he will separate himself from the stay at home champion label. Besides he isn't a huge name yet and he needs Hopkins more than Hopkins needs him. Hopkins is a hall of famer universally ranked in the top 10 p4p. Carl hasn't achieved anything close to that and as you mentioned he would improve his stature greatly with a win, where as Hopkins is already highly regarded , so I think he has the ball in his court.

[Poncey]

Typical Hopkins not wanting to travel, would prob want the lions share of the purse too

I think its better if this fight happens in the U.S. Froch will get more credit and in the process he will separate himself from the stay at home champion label. Besides he isn't a huge name yet and he needs Hopkins more than Hopkins needs him. Hopkins is a hall of famer universally ranked in the top 10 p4p. Carl hasn't achieved anything close to that and as you mentioned he would improve his stature greatly with a win, where as Hopkins is already highly regarded , so I think he has the ball in his court.

Carl isn't the marquee fighter here so why should Hopkins come to the UK? It will probably be at catchweight so his belt isn't on the line so Bernie holds all the cards.

[DG.]

This is a winnable fight for Froch.

He will not get hurt in this, imo and if he starts at this usual pace and makes Hopkins work then he can win it down the stretch ON POINTS 8-4 in rounds.

One thing, as much as I like Robert Mccracken I think they will need some more help to deal with Hopkins.

FREDDIE ROACH TO ASSIST WITH TACTICS AND BE IN THE CORNER GIVING ADVICE.

Robert can learn from this as he is a relatively new trainer at the top level.

If Calzaghe can have Hopkins looking for a way out then Froch can get Hopkins dq'ed for play acting.

Gwann, Froch, light up him boots, you can't smoke then, but you can make the 44 year old feel 44!

Weight is crucial, the nearer 12st the better for Froch, 12.2lb and Froch keeps his belt!

Learning fight that willl pay and providing Froch is not 'Pavlicked' he won't lose much stock should he lose.

Will Hopkins lose to ANOTHER white boy? YEP!

[forcefraser]

Big mistake for Froch to fight Hopkins. Hopkins has the ability and style to outpoint Froch over the 12 rounds. His defense is fantastic and he clearly knows how to negate his opponents weapons. Let`s not forget that he was thought by many to have beaten Calzaghe.

I cannot see Froch getting to Hopkins for a knockout and his only chance would be to go hell for leather from the first bell and hope Hopkins has stamina issues (as he did against Calzaghe).

He should look elsewhere for his next fight. I think Froch is great, but Hopkins is a different class, even at 44 years old.

[BundiniBrown.]

Good fight for Froch........he may just catch Hopkins at the right time, i noticed at the Pac V Hatton weigh in that Hopkins has suddenly started to look like an old man.

[Carbo]

Good fight for Froch........he may just catch Hopkins at the right time, i noticed at the Pac V Hatton weigh in that Hopkins has suddenly started to look like an old man.

Did he crack out the zimmerframe, or something?

[Adamj1987]

come on froch!

hopkins will win though

[twenty six]

The problem is finding another option.
He may be left with no alternative.
Has Meaty Mick got the finances to put an attractive offer on the table to any of the leading contenders to travel to Nottingham ?
Can he get TV backing ?
Is he prepared to speculate to accumulate ?
As outrageous as it might seem, it may mean Carl taking the thin edge of the wedge.
It's a tough one and I don't say these things as a criticism of the Promotor.
Had Carl reached this level 5 years earlier we would be having a different debate because the finances would have been there to make the big fights over here.
I stand by what I've said before.
Carl needs to get the money banked quickly.
At this level 2 fights per annum are the norm. At 31 and with his style that could mean superstar status - or a swift ko.
Snakes and ladders, this fickle sport.

[Wax On]

Now this IS a fight I'd put my house on. (If I had one after Ricky told me to do the same for his fight) BHop wins by schooling.

[forcefraser]

Good fight for Froch........he may just catch Hopkins at the right time, i noticed at the Pac V Hatton weigh in that Hopkins has suddenly started to look like an old man.

44 years old is a very old man, in boxing terms.

Typically though, if he does take the fight and if he wins (which I don`t think he will) people will start the same old shit of "he beat an ageing fighter way past his prime". They will quickly forget how he beat Pavlik out of sight. No win fight for old Frochy.

I want to see him straight in with Kessler whilst his confidence is sky high.

[twenty six]

I cant see Kessler being eager to step on these shore again - unless of course it's an offer he cant refuse.
That may mean Germany or Denmark.

[Max Molyneux]

Pavlik (who was 10 lbs above his ideal weight and couldn't fire off his punches due to a problem with his right[?] arm)

If size is his best weapon then he wasn't that good in the 1st place. He lost because his skills are rubbish and he relies in strength and pressure. He's using the Hatton size excuse.

[forcefraser]

I cant see Kessler being eager to step on these shore again - unless of course it's an offer he cant refuse.
That may mean Germany or Denmark.

I hope it is Denmark. Copenhagen is a great city, top people as well. Bit pricey on the ale, but living in Norway everywhere is cheap for beers by comparison. I go there at least once a year on a piss up.

They will turn out in droves as well for a Kessler fight. Upwards of 30,000.

[Chambers2]

BHOP's not the fight I'd choose for Carl, in fact why would anybody want to fight BHOP he's a fcuking nightmare!! If the fight does happen though Carl will put BHOP under pressure like never before

[Chambers2]

According to the current scene it's Hopkins Vs Trinidad in November

[Autobarn]

I think it's a terrible choice of 2nd title defence. It's alright fighting Hopkins as your career superfight - as Trinidad and Calzaghe did - but Froch is very much still a rookie champion who needs to grow into the belt.

Froch can become a good champ, but he's not doing the right technical things in the ring yet.

There is one thing taking big challenges and there is another thing being foolish taking the apparentrly wrong fights to develop a career.

So Hopkins was going to come to the UK, now it would be in NY. So it was going to be at 168. What next, Hopkinsweight 173-pounds?