Carl Froch a true British boxing legend

[Bennyblanco]

What a night!

I'll be the first to admit I thought froch would lose last night and I'm a big froch fan and a Nottingham lad. The atmosphere was amazing, the place went up on every flurry of punches from froch and it was carnage when the ref stopped it. Was surprised at how many fans bute bought with him

The list of fighters froch has fought is nothing but exceptional. He should be a role model to all up and coming fighters. I think froch should go for the Kessler rematch next because I think he's alot wiser fighter than he was when he fought him the first time and wouldn't get drawn into as much of a war.

Roll on the next fight

[Jon Saxon]

Who? Who on Carl's resume would Joe lose to?

He would have whipped them all except Ward, who he was capable of beating. Close fight though.

Froch has been matched against much better opposition than Calzaghe. It is unfair to criticise Froch for losing when he has fought the better fighters.

"better"? Eh?? lol so what if he's been matched tough? he LOST when it mattered.

"better fighters"? Calzaghe's win over Hopkins is better than anything Froch will ever do.
In light of what Nard did after Calzaghe fight only proves this point.
Hopkins would have won the supr six (ward included) with ease.
Calzaghe beat a fresh Kessler Froch lost to an old Kessler.

I love Froch but Calzaghe is worlds away from him.

[sendo]

Hopkins would have won super six easily? The old man was coming off two deserved losses to Jermaine Taylor when he fought Calzaghe, lets not pretend Calzaghe fought a Hopkins in his prime, or that Joe even won the fight at all convincingly.

And what exactly has Hopkins done since the Calzaghe fight that was so awesome? He beat the overhyped Pavlik, with Pavlik stepping up in weight and looking too small for it. Struggled to beat Jean Pascal and lost to Chad Dawson.

Ward would beat Hopkins easily, likely Kessler would as well.

Joe was a great fighter when he bothered to test himself, but the overrating of his flimsy record is amusing.

[DIRT SUGAR]

He's a throw back. I thought he could win as he's been matched so much harder than Bute and there's a big difference between bullying and beating up on a middleweight 'Contender' like Jess Brinkley and taking on a seasoned warrior like Froch. I thought that Froch's awkward style might pose more problems for Bute than his southpaw style would pose Froch and so it turned out. When Froch gets the range for his punches he gets on a roll. Shows how good Andre Ward is I suppose. Also, what Bute doesn't have which Andre Dirrell has, is great footspeed and that made all the difference last night. He was there to be hit.

I think Froch would walk into Bute's backyard and do a similar job after that. Don't see that rematch clause being actioned for a bit.

Well done Froch... a real throw back. Lose to the best supermiddleweight then come straight back and savage the guy being built up as his next major challenger. Can't do much better than that.

[keithmoonhangover]

Who? Who on Carl's resume would Joe lose to?

He would have whipped them all except Ward, who he was capable of beating. Close fight though.

Froch has been matched against much better opposition than Calzaghe. It is unfair to criticise Froch for losing when he has fought the better fighters.

"better"? Eh?? lol so what if he's been matched tough? he LOST when it mattered.

"better fighters"? Calzaghe's win over Hopkins is better than anything Froch will ever do.
In light of what Nard did after Calzaghe fight only proves this point.
Hopkins would have won the supr six (ward included) with ease.
Calzaghe beat a fresh Kessler Froch lost to an old Kessler.

I love Froch but Calzaghe is worlds away from him.

I thought Froch couldn't win Jon?

[Horse]

"better"? Eh?? lol so what if he's been matched tough? he LOST when it mattered.

Yes, his opponents have been better. All of Froch's recent fights have mattered and he won most of them.

Froch: Ward, Bute, Kessler, Taylor, Johnson, Pascal, Abraham, Dirrell
Calzaghe: Hopkins, Kessler, Lacy, Bika, Jones Jr, Woodhall, Reid, Eubank

I would say that Froch's opposition is better than Calzaghe's. I don't think Hopkins was considered to be much better than Ward is now.

"better fighters"? Calzaghe's win over Hopkins is better than anything Froch will ever do.
In light of what Nard did after Calzaghe fight only proves this point.
Hopkins would have won the supr six (ward included) with ease.
Calzaghe beat a fresh Kessler Froch lost to an old Kessler.

I love Froch but Calzaghe is worlds away from him.

I believe Froch can still get a better win than Calzaghe's Hopkins win. I don't think Hopkins would have won the Super Six with ease, there is a good chance he wouldn't have won it at all.

[Datsue]

Froch was magnificent last night but, as is so often the case on here, a lot of people need to calm the eff down and learn to be a bit more circumspect in their assessments. Bute is a big, strong, capable supermiddleweight but the way people were ranting on beforehand you'd have though Froch was going in there with a terminator rather than a guy unproven at the top level. The polar opposite will likely now occur and many will again start saying Froch could beat Ward etc. Chill out.

I said shortly after the Ward fight that Froch should fight Bute, then Kessler, then Hopkins (pension) and then walk away. The only thing I've revised in the interim is the Hopkins pension fight - I'm now not sure about that.

As to the debates about Froch's all time domestic standing: It's between Calzaghe and Froch for the top spot. As much as Eubank and Benn are legends of the game, neither fought the best guys in the division. Saying that Ward would give Calzaghe real problems or that Froch lost to Kessler and Joe didn't is far too simplistic. The truth is, it's a very close run thing.

Bloody great post.

[big lennox]

A very good win for Froch last night. I thought he looked really organised and very switched on.I felt quite sorry for Bute though. His corner should have pulled him out at the end of the 4th at the latest. He didn't know where he was and I don't understand how you can send someone out in that position.I hate it when you have corners braver than the fighters.

I was also quite alarmed about how fragile Bute looked.He seemed to fold his tent very early on in proceedings.Fair play to Froch though, he went into unknown territory, with the odds stacked against him (literally) and was superb. I hope Bute contemplates retirement rather than a rematch as I'd worry about his well being if he continues to box at top level. I could see Kessler or Abraham even, banging him out.

[TheCobra]

A very good win for Froch last night. I thought he looked really organised and very switched on.I felt quite sorry for Bute though. His corner should have pulled him out at the end of the 4th at the latest. He didn't know where he was and I don't understand how you can send someone out in that position.I hate it when you have corners braver than the fighters.

I was also quite alarmed about how fragile Bute looked.He seemed to fold his tent very early on in proceedings.Fair play to Froch though, he went into unknown territory, with the odds stacked against him (literally) and was superb. I hope Bute contemplates retirement rather than a rematch as I'd worry about his well being if he continues to box at top level. I could see Kessler or Abraham even, banging him out.

I certainly don't think it's a retirement job for Bute, he just found his level, best thing for him would be to try and work himself back into a position where he can secure a belt against a lesser champion and then just milk it in Canada, make some money and get out, but stay clear of the top level guys.

[big lennox]

A very good win for Froch last night. I thought he looked really organised and very switched on.I felt quite sorry for Bute though. His corner should have pulled him out at the end of the 4th at the latest. He didn't know where he was and I don't understand how you can send someone out in that position.I hate it when you have corners braver than the fighters.

I was also quite alarmed about how fragile Bute looked.He seemed to fold his tent very early on in proceedings.Fair play to Froch though, he went into unknown territory, with the odds stacked against him (literally) and was superb. I hope Bute contemplates retirement rather than a rematch as I'd worry about his well being if he continues to box at top level. I could see Kessler or Abraham even, banging him out.

I certainly don't think it's a retirement job for Bute, he just found his level, best thing for him would be to try and work himself back into a position where he can secure a belt against a lesser champion and then just milk it in Canada, make some money and get out, but stay clear of the top level guys.

You could be right, a couple of wins could mean he finishes his career on a strong note, but I don't want to see him in with any of the top guys. He took a shellacking last night. Do you think Froch would be interested in facing Ward again or does he seem to accept that he might not be able to beat Ward? A rematch with Kessler would be a good one. I could see him reversing that decision

[Tanzio]

On the off chance The Cobra himself might visit this thread I want to say well done Mr. Froch. I hope you finally get the recognition at home that you deserve. You are the epitome of why I put up with all the garbage in boxing. You are not the most highly skilled or naturally gifted boxer but your heart, toughness and sheer will are A++. You always have sought out the toughest challenges without regard for preserving a perfect record.

This old, shopworn American salutes and thanks you for your

[cakes]

A had 40 on the cobra at 9/2 for Ko thanks Carl u are my hero a we're down to my last 15£ and on my arse now a can go on my pals stag doo whoop whoop what a guy

[Syntax Error]

On the off chance The Cobra himself might visit this thread I want to say well done Mr. Froch. I hope you finally get the recognition at home that you deserve. You are the epitome of why I put up with all the garbage in boxing. You are not the most highly skilled or naturally gifted boxer but your heart, toughness and sheer will are A++. You always have sought out the toughest challenges without regard for preserving a perfect record.

This old, shopworn American salutes and thanks you for your

Great post. 8)

I'm sure Carl would appreciate this.

I hope he finally get the recognition he deserves in the UK; it's long overdue.

[Finn]

A very good win for Froch last night. I thought he looked really organised and very switched on.I felt quite sorry for Bute though. His corner should have pulled him out at the end of the 4th at the latest. He didn't know where he was and I don't understand how you can send someone out in that position.I hate it when you have corners braver than the fighters.

I was also quite alarmed about how fragile Bute looked.He seemed to fold his tent very early on in proceedings.Fair play to Froch though, he went into unknown territory, with the odds stacked against him (literally) and was superb. I hope Bute contemplates retirement rather than a rematch as I'd worry about his well being if he continues to box at top level. I could see Kessler or Abraham even, banging him out.

I certainly don't think it's a retirement job for Bute, he just found his level, best thing for him would be to try and work himself back into a position where he can secure a belt against a lesser champion and then just milk it in Canada, make some money and get out, but stay clear of the top level guys.

You could be right, a couple of wins could mean he finishes his career on a strong note, but I don't want to see him in with any of the top guys. He took a shellacking last night. Do you think Froch would be interested in facing Ward again or does he seem to accept that he might not be able to beat Ward? A rematch with Kessler would be a good one. I could see him reversing that decision

I think the problem with ward is that froch likes stand up fighters, ward spends most of the fight at waist level and then pops up head first lands a quick combo then he's gone. Its negative fighting but its effective.

I noticed froch used alot of the calzaghe style volume slapping mixed with hard punches last night which really overwhelms opponents, if he gets his tactics right i wouldnt rule out that froch could beat ward. Froch would have to get low and use that same volume punching to stop ward countering.

[Finn]

On the off chance The Cobra himself might visit this thread I want to say well done Mr. Froch. I hope you finally get the recognition at home that you deserve. You are the epitome of why I put up with all the garbage in boxing. You are not the most highly skilled or naturally gifted boxer but your heart, toughness and sheer will are A++. You always have sought out the toughest challenges without regard for preserving a perfect record.

This old, shopworn American salutes and thanks you for your

Great post. 8)

I'm sure Carl would appreciate this.

I hope he finally get the recognition he deserves in the UK; it's long overdue.

A credit to boxing and nice to hear guys like khan say he's given them something to aspire to - fight the best and duck noone.

[Syntax Error]

I certainly don't think it's a retirement job for Bute, he just found his level, best thing for him would be to try and work himself back into a position where he can secure a belt against a lesser champion and then just milk it in Canada, make some money and get out, but stay clear of the top level guys.

You could be right, a couple of wins could mean he finishes his career on a strong note, but I don't want to see him in with any of the top guys. He took a shellacking last night. Do you think Froch would be interested in facing Ward again or does he seem to accept that he might not be able to beat Ward? A rematch with Kessler would be a good one. I could see him reversing that decision

I think the problem with ward is that froch likes stand up fighters, ward spends most of the fight at waist level and then pops up head first lands a quick combo then he's gone. Its negative fighting but its effective.

I noticed froch used alot of the calzaghe style volume slapping mixed with hard punches last night which really overwhelms opponents, if he gets his tactics right i wouldnt rule out that froch could beat ward. Froch would have to get low and use that same volume punching to stop ward countering.

It's true what you say about Ward's style versus Froch's style, but what amazed me the most about their December bout was that Ward bossed Froch up close, an area where I thought Froch would have an advantage with his strength.

Ward completely outclassed Froch in all departments, hence why I don't think a rematch would be an attractive proposition.

I'd definitely like to see him rematch Kessler; that would be a great fight.

[TJ77]

Don't no Carl personally but he seems such a top top kid he really deserves this respect a true professional and a credit to the sport !!! Mr Bute pls stay away from the rematch it will all end in tears

Fair play for coming over bet he regrets it now

[cakes]

Just watched the fight again was it just Carl was too good or was Bute that poor ????

[twenty six]

Both mate !
Froch at the top of his form, Bute not at the races.

[Finn]

Just watched the fight again was it just Carl was too good or was Bute that poor ????

I think bute may have been a bit off form and froch was on the fight of his life. It wouldnt shock if bute made a comeback and beat someone we would write him off against now - ive seen him fight many times and the quality is there to see.

I know on ringside they were saying bute had massive infected blisters which stopped him training and nearly had the fight cancelled.

You cant go in ill prepared against fighters of frochs level and if its true froch had problems before the ward fight he may well be capable of making a competative rematch himself.

I cant see bute retiring just yet and theres shed loads of big named smw knocking about.

[wesley05]

Just watched the fight again was it just Carl was too good or was Bute that poor ????

Just think With the word retirement in his head he would have walked through almost anyone, some boxers just can't and won't give up a true people's champion

[jamesmcdonnell]

You could be right, a couple of wins could mean he finishes his career on a strong note, but I don't want to see him in with any of the top guys. He took a shellacking last night. Do you think Froch would be interested in facing Ward again or does he seem to accept that he might not be able to beat Ward? A rematch with Kessler would be a good one. I could see him reversing that decision

I think the problem with ward is that froch likes stand up fighters, ward spends most of the fight at waist level and then pops up head first lands a quick combo then he's gone. Its negative fighting but its effective.

I noticed froch used alot of the calzaghe style volume slapping mixed with hard punches last night which really overwhelms opponents, if he gets his tactics right i wouldnt rule out that froch could beat ward. Froch would have to get low and use that same volume punching to stop ward countering.

It's true what you say about Ward's style versus Froch's style, but what amazed me the most about their December bout was that Ward bossed Froch up close, an area where I thought Froch would have an advantage with his strength.

Ward completely outclassed Froch in all departments, hence why I don't think a rematch would be an attractive proposition.

I'd definitely like to see him rematch Kessler; that would be a great fight.

Yes, ward is both tricksy and tough, he's capable of handing out and dealing with the rough stuff up close, that was what spelt the end of Froch, he just could not impose himself inside or out. At times he was being not just physically matched, but bossed.

[johnswan1]

Froch deserves all kind of credit. His fight selection is unimpeachable. It's the boldest in the world, without a doubt. Simply, he fights the best he possibly can almost every fight. He's now fought every single super-middleweight of note of his era. Not only that, but, uniquely, he's not afraid to go into his rivals' back yards and do it.

With balls like that, who cares about defeats? He's won far more than he's lost in the most exalted he could have possibly selected.

And it's the way he fights. How often has he been involved in a fight that wasn't entertaining? Dirrell is the only one I can think of, and that was just a bad clash of styles. But the rest have all been superb value for money.

Carl Froch is a model pro, has massive balls, an indomitable heart, a steel chin, an even harder mind, and proves that they do indeed -- sometimes -- make 'em like that, these days.

He deserves nothing but respect.

Well said. He's like a better version of Gatti.

[wesley05]

Better and British