Froch and Naz: A contrast of manners

[palooka]

[Broomhall]

On saying all of that I did feel Hamed took his humiliation of his opponents too far. Especially when some of the KO'd and still being seen to by medical staff.

I think respect for the opponent has certainly gone down a lot in the last few years and personally in a combat sport where people can die I dont like to see some of the behaviour you get in the ring these days. I dont think Hamed started it, but he didnt help.

[Bodyshot3]

On saying all of that I did feel Hamed took his humiliation of his opponents too far. Especially when some of the KO'd and still being seen to by medical staff.

I think respect for the opponent has certainly gone down a lot in the last few years and personally in a combat sport where people can die I dont like to see some of the behaviour you get in the ring these days. I dont think Hamed started it, but he didnt help.

That's well said. Naz could sometimes be a massive tool when he was coming through......usually smashing-up some poor European slugger and not even showing the slightest bit of concern for the guy's well being. He never mastered the ability to just wait for a couple of minutes and then strut his stuff.

Admittedly, you're not being paid or even professionally obliged to be nice or sympathetic, but Naz was often blatantly discourteous and celebrating when some guy he'd blasted was in a seriously bad way. Not edifying.

[Ian1973]

No. Or JMM or Morales.

Agreed.

[Final round]

What bollox, he comes across what he is, a total cock.

So it was an act that he did for his career? Then why does he still talk like a dickhead in interviews ringside now when there is no financial gain for his career anymore?

I have a friend who was a pro heavyweight and worked with Ingles and is well known on the Sheffield scene and he told me stories of what a penis Hamed was and how he himself gave Hamed a slap once when he was giving it the Billy Bollox at the gym. Apparently they said basically, "You can do that poo out there for the cameras, but not here in the gym", he told my mate to eff off and he open hand slapped him the gobby little idiot.

I do not care one per cent how successful someone is in their chosen field, we are all created equal and when the undertaker lays our body out on the slab we are all equal again so no need to act better than others as you aren't, you may just be better at one thing which on the grand scheme of it is something insignificant.

Toby; when the undertaker lays my body out on a slab he'll know that we're not all created equal and he'll be a very bitter man from that day on.

[tobyh5]

Yeah but have you ever deadlifted 220kg whilst weighing 85?

.

Only your mum. DD

[jamesmcdonnell]

True about naz but lets be clear he was a much greater talent than Froch.

Yes, but ultimately, Naz didn't make the full use of his talent, he didnt regroup after a single loss.

[jamesmcdonnell]

The version of Naz before the Barrera fight was totally odious, 100 per cent vile.

I remember watching a documentary on the build-up and there was this constant, self-satisfied smirk, an absurd entourage who he treated with disdain and an attitude towards Barrera that was wholly disrespectful....and ultimately very, very dull. It went well beyond just being young, self-confident and exuberant. I watched the fight just in the hope that Barrera would burst the pompous bubble.....and I am pretty sure that I was not alone.

But perhaps that was the plan? Naz and Eubank, despite their various spats, both seemed to have the same approach to projecting their careers; controversial, arrogant behaviour gets the casual sports fan involved and puts money in the bank.

Eubank had more respect for his opponent's after the fight than Naz ever did. For Eubank is was definitely an act, whereas Naz bought into his own myth wholesale, which is why when the veneer of indestructibility was exposed by Barrera, he was never the same man, Wheras Eubank went on to have his big nights after losing. His losing efforts against Thompson remain some of the bravest I've ever seen.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I'd have taken post-Jones Barrera over Naz, and did so, which amazed mates who were casual fans.

As for their personalities, a lot depends on context. I bumped into Naz at a show and he was great. Carl is a bit standoffish, but that was at various press days, often after doing a lot of interviews. My mate, a photographer, found him the total opposite, he said Carl was brilliant, warm and friendly with him, even stopping to pose for photos with his daughter. The guy isn't a big name photographer, either, he was there for a .com.

Froch always paid homage to McCracken, presumably because Rob made him, whereas Naz probably felt his natural talent made him, rather than attributing it to Ingle. I'm not taking a side either way, as the Sheffield boys will already be burning my username in effigy midway through that last bit.

I interviewed Carl as a young and inexperienced internet Journalist, and asked him quite a probing question in the dressing room, I think after the Adamu fight. 'Why don't you ever keep your guard up, aren't you worried as you move up the levels, you're going to get found out.'

He looked slightly aghast, but answered the question honestly, 'That's the style I've got and always will have, it's taken me this far, and I'm not going to change it now.'

He carried on talking to me for another 5 minutes, and shook my hand, and gave me as much time as all the other 'proper' journos there.

I've always like Froch, and thought he didn't have the greatest people skills, but struck me as an honest and honourable bloke. He's not the most charismatic, but he's always walked the walk in the ring, and that's enough for me.

[magwitch]

I'd have taken post-Jones Barrera over Naz, and did so, which amazed mates who were casual fans.

As for their personalities, a lot depends on context. I bumped into Naz at a show and he was great. Carl is a bit standoffish, but that was at various press days, often after doing a lot of interviews. My mate, a photographer, found him the total opposite, he said Carl was brilliant, warm and friendly with him, even stopping to pose for photos with his daughter. The guy isn't a big name photographer, either, he was there for a .com.

Froch always paid homage to McCracken, presumably because Rob made him, whereas Naz probably felt his natural talent made him, rather than attributing it to Ingle. I'm not taking a side either way, as the Sheffield boys will already be burning my username in effigy midway through that last bit.

I interviewed Carl as a young and inexperienced internet Journalist, and asked him quite a probing question in the dressing room, I think after the Adamu fight. 'Why don't you ever keep your guard up, aren't you worried as you move up the levels, you're going to get found out.'

He looked slightly aghast, but answered the question honestly, 'That's the style I've got and always will have, it's taken me this far, and I'm not going to change it now.'

He carried on talking to me for another 5 minutes, and shook my hand, and gave me as much time as all the other 'proper' journos there.

I've always like Froch, and thought he didn't have the greatest people skills, but struck me as an honest and honourable bloke. He's not the most charismatic, but he's always walked the walk in the ring, and that's enough for me.

I ain't been much of a fan of his personality over the last couple of years, so it's quite nice to read that ^^.

[Matt W]

I've spoken to Froch on a number of occasions and he's a friendly, down-to-earth bloke who will always spare some time for a chat. Although he does lose points for saying he thought I was James Blunt

Incidentally Rob McCracken is a top top bloke too, very funny and laid back, not at all how I'd imagined he'd be.

[palooka]

He said he thought you were a c unt.

[deadpan]

Good point about his low guard, I'd forgotten how wide open he was in the BBC era. I was convinced he was a highlight KO waiting to happen.

Shows what I know.

[Matt W]

He said he thought you were a c unt.

Aye, he's perceptive too.

[palooka]

He said he thought you were a c unt.

Aye, he's perceptive too.

He'd have called me a fat c umt

[bripez]

Naz clearly had massive talent, however his legacy is massively affected by the fact that he fell apart after one loss and never came back.

Froch on the other hand may not have the same level of natural talent, however he has squeezed every last drop of talent and come back from defeat to beat some top top boxers.

Also, Froch comes across as a nob on tv whereas Naz comes across as a right proper nob.

[palooka]

Naseem was a shooting star and got his fame and fortune young, Froch didn't turn pro until he was a grown man and a graduate.

Named had the cockiness and cheekiness that made people notice; plus many of his appearances were thrilling and destructive.

[Clint Magnum]

The version of Naz before the Barrera fight was totally odious, 100 per cent vile.

I remember watching a documentary on the build-up and there was this constant, self-satisfied smirk, an absurd entourage who he treated with disdain and an attitude towards Barrera that was wholly disrespectful....and ultimately very, very dull. It went well beyond just being young, self-confident and exuberant. I watched the fight just in the hope that Barrera would burst the pompous bubble.....and I am pretty sure that I was not alone.

But perhaps that was the plan? Naz and Eubank, despite their various spats, both seemed to have the same approach to projecting their careers; controversial, arrogant behaviour gets the casual sports fan involved and puts money in the bank.

Eubank had more respect for his opponent's after the fight than Naz ever did. For Eubank is was definitely an act, whereas Naz bought into his own myth wholesale, which is why when the veneer of indestructibility was exposed by Barrera, he was never the same man, Wheras Eubank went on to have his big nights after losing. His losing efforts against Thompson remain some of the bravest I've ever seen.

Agreed. Eubank also made a lot more fans after the way he handled his defeats. He's now predominantly remembered fondly because he was in some proper wars and when all the talking was done he showed balls of steel. Problem with Naz was that, despite his obvious world class skill, he showed no humility whatsoever in defeat, still doesn't.