Froch v Calzaghe

[expe]

De Gale was beaten by Groves and was not Froch's leading domestic rival. Froch took on the challenge of the "young lion" and Calzaghe did not, preferring instead to feast on glitzy names that were many years past their prime.

He went where the money was, after 15 years and 45 fights I find it hard to begrudge him that, in the same position Froch would have done the same.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Degale was beaten by Groves and was not Froch's leading domestic rival. Froch took on the challenge of the "young lion" and Calzaghe did not, preferring instead to feast on glitzy names that were many years past their prime.

Calzaghe was past his best at that point, and didn't need Froch, I don't at all blame him for taking the fight.

[stujones]

James,

In hindsight I think Joe could have and maybe should have faced Froch around the time Froch was beating up the likes of Dodson, Tatesovyan and Reid. Instead Joe took on another "young lion" in Peter Manfredo... who in reality was never going to stand a chance as he was way too small (and not good enough).

[danconnollyeire]

Tyson vs Fury?

Is Tyson vs Fury the time he punched himself in the face?

[sharpei_louis]

There's always another contender and you have to retire at some point.
I think Froch's career since is distorting the reality of his position at the time; he wasn't operating at world level as he has been since to be so clearly a worthy challenger or financially viable fight.

[jamesmcdonnell]

James,

In hindsight I think Joe could have and maybe should have faced Froch around the time Froch was beating up the likes of Dodson, Tatesovyan and Reid. Instead Joe took on another "young lion" in Peter Manfredo... who in reality was never going to stand a chance as he was way too small (and not good enough).

Tatevosyan was a good win, but Dodson was nowhere near Joe's level, and Reid was washed up.

For what it's worth, I think Froch would have gotten a right kicking off of Calzaghe at that stage.

[Teddy's Toupee]

Tyson vs Fury?

Is Tyson vs Fury the time he punched himself in the face?

If Fury knocked himself out in a world tilte fight, would he become the champion?

[peter barlow]

Calzaghe would eat Froch up

[stujones]

James,

In hindsight I think Joe could have and maybe should have faced Froch around the time Froch was beating up the likes of Dodson, Tatesovyan and Reid. Instead Joe took on another "young lion" in Peter Manfredo... who in reality was never going to stand a chance as he was way too small (and not good enough).

Tatevosyan was a good win, but Dodson was nowhere near Joe's level, and Reid was washed up.

For what it's worth, I think Froch would have gotten a right kicking off of Calzaghe at that stage.

I would agree, although I don't think Froch has improved a great deal since those wins - just more about the level between the two.

IMO even though Froch was not proven as a world class at that time, although there was a period when they were world champions simultaneously, I would say even those wins made Froch more worthy than Manfredo.... lets not forget he had beaten Brian Magee before he faced Dodson, who had shown himself to be consistently at the European level, fringe world level.

I think even when Froch was beating the likes of Barney and Groenwald he was more worthy than Evans Ashira.... and that was before the Lacy fight.

[Boxerbeetle]

I would agree, although I don't think Froch has improved a great deal since those wins - just more about the level between the two.

IMO even though Froch was not proven as a world class at that time, although there was a period when they were world champions simultaneously, I would say even those wins made Froch more worthy than Manfredo.... lets not forget he had beaten Brian Magee before he faced Dodson, who had shown himself to be consistently at the European level, fringe world level.

I think even when Froch was beating the likes of Barney and Groenwald he was more worthy than Evans Ashira.... and that was before the Lacy fight.

True as that may be, imo Froch would have been absolutely dominated by Calzaghe if he'd fought him so early in his career, would have done Carl's career no favours at all. Froch was nowhere near ready for Calzaghe at that time, I think even he'd say the same.

So although I see exactly what you're saying & agree to a large extent, it was probably a blessing in disguise for Carl that he didn't get the Calzaghe fight.

[danconnollyeire]

Tyson vs Fury?

Is Tyson vs Fury the time he punched himself in the face?

If Fury knocked himself out in a world tilte fight, would he become the champion?

YES

[jamesmcdonnell]

James,

In hindsight I think Joe could have and maybe should have faced Froch around the time Froch was beating up the likes of Dodson, Tatesovyan and Reid. Instead Joe took on another "young lion" in Peter Manfredo... who in reality was never going to stand a chance as he was way too small (and not good enough).

Tatevosyan was a good win, but Dodson was nowhere near Joe's level, and Reid was washed up.

For what it's worth, I think Froch would have gotten a right kicking off of Calzaghe at that stage.

I would agree, although I don't think Froch has improved a great deal since those wins - just more about the level between the two.

IMO even though Froch was not proven as a world class at that time, although there was a period when they were world champions simultaneously, I would say even those wins made Froch more worthy than Manfredo.... lets not forget he had beaten Brian Magee before he faced Dodson, who had shown himself to be consistently at the European level, fringe world level.

I think even when Froch was beating the likes of Barney and Groenwald he was more worthy than Evans Ashira.... and that was before the Lacy fight.

Domestic rivals tend to only fighter eachother either on the way up, or when they are both riding high. This didn't apply at any stage in their careers.

I do applaud Froch for taking on Groves, not once but twice - and for emphatically hammering the nail in the box second time around. He could have avoided the challenger entirely, or the rematch. A very brave move.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I would agree, although I don't think Froch has improved a great deal since those wins - just more about the level between the two.

IMO even though Froch was not proven as a world class at that time, although there was a period when they were world champions simultaneously, I would say even those wins made Froch more worthy than Manfredo.... lets not forget he had beaten Brian Magee before he faced Dodson, who had shown himself to be consistently at the European level, fringe world level.

I think even when Froch was beating the likes of Barney and Groenwald he was more worthy than Evans Ashira.... and that was before the Lacy fight.

True as that may be, imo Froch would have been absolutely dominated by Calzaghe if he'd fought him so early in his career, would have done Carl's career no favours at all. Froch was nowhere near ready for Calzaghe at that time, I think even he'd say the same.

So although I see exactly what you're saying & agree to a large extent, it was probably a blessing in disguise for Carl that he didn't get the Calzaghe fight.

Totally agree, could have been like the lacy fight. Although Froch is better than Lacy, I think he would have taken one hell of a lot of punches from Calzaghe. He'd have had his moments at some point, but I think it would have been mostly one way traffic.

Whilst I rate Carl more as a fighter, I'd have to say Calzaghe was the more talented of the two, I can't see Froch beating Calzaghe at any stage of their careers, unless Calzaghe had hung on way too long.