Opinions on Carl Froch.

vagabundo55 · Post by **vagabundo55** » 15 Aug 2005, 01:35

I don't know much when it comes to European boxers.. but I remember seeing Froch on HBO Latino. I'd just like hearing some opinions on him. Such as if he has what it takes to be a world champ or if he has the potential. From what i've seen he has the potential but he needs to brush up in his skills and get a bit more experience against decent opposition. But i'm interested in hearing some opinions from you guys.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 15 Aug 2005, 03:44

He has decent skills and seems to hit reasonably hard, but his defence is terrible. He carries his left hand too low and doesnt have the reflexes to get away with it at the top level. Unless they sort that out he'll get his arse handed to him by the best guys in the division IMO.

vagabundo55 · Post by **vagabundo55** » 15 Aug 2005, 04:51

This side of the board seems a little dead.. anyway, thanks for the insight. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if anyone else has interesting views or opinions. But that's one thing I noticed, his defense is terrible. But it looks like he has decent power. And I also liked that he fought a completely clean fight. Hell, he was even going out of his way to not permanently damage the other guy. He gained my respect for that. But I mostly agree with your post on his defense. He's got potential... now he just needs to brush up his skills.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 15 Aug 2005, 04:54

vagabundo55 wrote:This side of the board seems a little dead.. anyway, thanks for the insight. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if anyone else has interesting views or opinions. But that's one thing I noticed, his defense is terrible. But it looks like he has decent power. And I also liked that he fought a completely clean fight. Hell, he was even going out of his way to not permanently damage the other guy. He gained my respect for that. But I mostly agree with your post on his defense. He's got potential... now he just needs to brush up his skills.

I really doubt they will sort out his defence, he has fought like that his whole pro career to date so I dont see him changing that bad habit. He does have a lot of confidence which is good, but I think his confidence coupled with his hands down style spells a beating sooner or later. His chin has looked pretty decent so far but any guy with fast hands and a decent chin will land plenty on him and probably beat him.

vagabundo55 · Post by **vagabundo55** » 15 Aug 2005, 04:56

Thanks for the insight once again.

You're right.. bad habits are hard to lose especially when you've been using them all your career.

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 15 Aug 2005, 05:03

Hes a future superstar IMO, quick hands, good range of punches and a solid chin (and hes a right cocky bastard)

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 15 Aug 2005, 07:10

nickd wrote:
vagabundo55 wrote:This side of the board seems a little dead.. anyway, thanks for the insight. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if anyone else has interesting views or opinions. But that's one thing I noticed, his defense is terrible. But it looks like he has decent power. And I also liked that he fought a completely clean fight. Hell, he was even going out of his way to not permanently damage the other guy. He gained my respect for that. But I mostly agree with your post on his defense. He's got potential... now he just needs to brush up his skills.
I really doubt they will sort out his defence, he has fought like that his whole pro career to date so I dont see him changing that bad habit. He does have a lot of confidence which is good, but I think his confidence coupled with his hands down style spells a beating sooner or later. His chin has looked pretty decent so far but any guy with fast hands and a decent chin will land plenty on him and probably beat him.

I agree. Froch has stated quite clearly that he has no intention of changing his style for anyone, and I think that includes his trainer. He said something along the lines of.

"I've fought this style since the amateurs, it's my style and I'm not going to change now, I've got me chin tucked in behind my shoulder in any case, so I'm safe."

I think Froch will have a fair amount of success, he already has in fact, and I like his attitude. He goes out there with bad intentions and seems like a pretty tough fighter. His power also seems to be for real as he's been able to hurt tough operators like Woolnaugh and Charles Adamu.

He's got a big mouth, and seems very confident, but there's nothing wrong with that, and personally I find him pretty entertaining, and his fights aren't dull affairs.

He may well fall short of world honours, as there's a few guys who will either give him a chin-check or outwork him. He may become a better fighter after a loss, but it might take being worked over or even knocked out to convince him his style has serious flaws.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 15 Aug 2005, 07:28

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
nickd wrote:
vagabundo55 wrote:This side of the board seems a little dead.. anyway, thanks for the insight. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if anyone else has interesting views or opinions. But that's one thing I noticed, his defense is terrible. But it looks like he has decent power. And I also liked that he fought a completely clean fight. Hell, he was even going out of his way to not permanently damage the other guy. He gained my respect for that. But I mostly agree with your post on his defense. He's got potential... now he just needs to brush up his skills.
I really doubt they will sort out his defence, he has fought like that his whole pro career to date so I dont see him changing that bad habit. He does have a lot of confidence which is good, but I think his confidence coupled with his hands down style spells a beating sooner or later. His chin has looked pretty decent so far but any guy with fast hands and a decent chin will land plenty on him and probably beat him.
I agree. Froch has stated quite clearly that he has no intention of changing his style for anyone, and I think that includes his trainer. He said something along the lines of.

"I've fought this style since the amateurs, it's my style and I'm not going to change now, I've got me chin tucked in behind my shoulder in any case, so I'm safe."

I think Froch will have a fair amount of success, he already has in fact, and I like his attitude. He goes out there with bad intentions and seems like a pretty tough fighter. His power also seems to be for real as he's been able to hurt tough operators like Woolnaugh and Charles Adamu.

He's got a big mouth, and seems very confident, but there's nothing wrong with that, and personally I find him pretty entertaining, and his fights aren't dull affairs.

He may well fall short of world honours, as there's a few guys who will either give him a chin-check or outwork him. He may become a better fighter after a loss, but it might take being worked over or even knocked out to convince him his style has serious flaws.

Exactly my thinking James, the only way he'll sort out that shoddy defence is when he gets a hiding and regroups.

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 15 Aug 2005, 08:43

Froch is a great talent and a man heading for the top in my opinion.

This time next year and he will have hopefully cleaned up in Europe (despite some tough cookies from Denmark) and then ready to stake his claim in World Championship contests. He's super confident and really wants it.

He's made some bold statements, but so far has been prepared to back them up (mostly). As long as Froch is prepared to put his money where his mouth is, that's fine with me. I find it refreshing that he's been prepared to tread the traditional route and wants the tough fights.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 15 Aug 2005, 09:57

The supermiddles don't have a huge amout of young talent coming through, I'd put Froch in the leading pack of what there is.
He's beaten some good fighters Barney, Porras and Adamu.
Like the others i'd like him to tighten up his defense, but Froch feels this is the best way for him to fight, he will find out when someone of world class power connects with his chin.
I definetly think he has the talent to challenge for a championship, but i wouldn't bet on him having the tools to beat a Lacy or Kessler yet

vagabundo55 · Post by **vagabundo55** » 15 Aug 2005, 20:54

Thanks for the insight once again. Now I have a bit more information about Froch. Anyway, it seems that if he has a weak chin the only reason he'll be champ is if the division stays weak. But if he has a strong chin in a few years after he gains more experience he might be a champ. It seems like he has no chance against Lacy. Is this more or less correct?

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 16 Aug 2005, 03:24

vagabundo55 wrote: It seems like he has no chance against Lacy. Is this more or less correct?

Its still to early to say wether he has a chance against Lacy, Froch is still developing as a boxer and needs a good few learning fights to get to world class level.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 16 Aug 2005, 04:47

I give him very little chance against Lacy if they were to fight now. I dont care how good his chin is (and it has looked good so far although he hasnt fought any huge punchers) with his hands down style and Lacy's pressure and hitting I think he'd take a prolongued beating.

He's not at that level yet, I think in 12 months he'll be ready for those sort of fights. I'm quite sceptical whether he can win at that level though with his current style.

vagabundo55 · Post by **vagabundo55** » 17 Aug 2005, 06:35

nickd wrote:I give him very little chance against Lacy if they were to fight now. I dont care how good his chin is (and it has looked good so far although he hasnt fought any huge punchers) with his hands down style and Lacy's pressure and hitting I think he'd take a prolongued beating.

He's not at that level yet, I think in 12 months he'll be ready for those sort of fights. I'm quite sceptical whether he can win at that level though with his current style.

That's what I meant to say. Well, thanks for the info again guys.

Gwyndaff · Post by **Gwyndaff** » 17 Aug 2005, 09:14

I've seen just about all of his pro fights so far, and I think he has the skills and ability to win a world title. I do however think that if he doesn't change his style somewhat then he will get sparked out fairly soon. The low riding hands and trailing right when he jabs could be a problem, but I've noticed that when he throws a reaching jab, his chin pops out from behind his shoulder and his jaw drops. This leaves him slack jawed, open mouthed and open to the right cross. I'm surprised he hasn't been caught yet, and with his jaw so slack, it looks like an easy knockout. He needs to stop this to stay on his feet.

boxingchat · Post by **boxingchat** » 19 Aug 2005, 10:53

What is all the fuss about I say?

Decent and capable but no more. Calzaghe would destroy him and dare I say it, even now, I would fancy Reid to do a job on him.

Peter Oboh would be up on a murder charge even at 12 stone.

He will be found out sooner rather than later as will Junior Witter.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 19 Aug 2005, 11:19

Calzaghe is vastly more experienced, not really a fair comparison. Reid would lose. Oboh would give most fighters a hard night's work, but Froch hits a damned sight harder and would I think win through.

vagabundo55 · Post by **vagabundo55** » 20 Aug 2005, 04:56

Well, thanks for the insight once again. From what i've read, the best thing he has going for him is his power. And the smartest thing he could do to be a real threat would be to change his style, but he's pretty much said he will never change his style. That's too bad, I enjoyed watching him fight even with his unorthodox style. And well, as i've said before, I respect him.

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 20 Aug 2005, 11:31

He's a bit like Merqui Sosa style-wise. And like Sosa, I think he'll be found wanting at the top level. He's good at the PR though, and some of his home truths about certain fighters deserve to be aired on terrestial TV.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 20 Aug 2005, 12:40

Charles Adamu, 11 KOs in 13 wins

Mark Woolnough 4 KOs in a career at Cruzer

Henry Porras 22 KOs in 30 wins

Vallery Odin who opperated at light heavy and Matthew Barny who has had european title tilts at light heavy.

I think the notion that Froch hasn't been in with anyone with power is wrong. I do think he needs more expereance but his chin seems to be quite good and furthermore his style dosen't seem to have hampered him this far, with a world silver medle. He also seems to be able to deal with people who try to out work him an put him on the back foot. I would like to see him Fight Dodson one of these days and possibly Magee on the domestic front. When he fights at european level we will have the real meassur of the man