Carl Froch -ready to retire?

[SNG]

Is Chavez jr that big of a star to give him the huge payday people talk about? I don't see why it would be PPV either?

[Crazyboy]

not too many british fighters over the last 15 years could actually be described as warriors, froch is 1, carl Thompson another..........then im struggling.

Hatton maybe? I agree though......not too many warriors about

[Bard of Boxrec]

Noone think the Hopkins/Froch fight is a natural?

Hopkins discussed one more fight, at a lower weight, against a champion, and he wants to be an underdog.

In the absence of Ward he could spin the champion bit as Froch and I reckon Froch would be slim favourite.

Also, the final fight for both of them, so there's a natural marketing angle there, and the whole thing could definitely be a marquee occasion.

What's not to like?

[jamesmcdonnell]

Noone think the Hopkins/Froch fight is a natural?

Hopkins discussed one more fight, at a lower weight, against a champion, and he wants to be an underdog.

In the absence of Ward he could spin the champion bit as Froch and I reckon Froch would be slim favourite.

Also, the final fight for both of them, so there's a natural marketing angle there, and the whole thing could definitely be a marquee occasion.

What's not to like?

You beat me to it!!

Hopkins has already indicated that he may step down in weight to continue campaigning.

I think there's a definite marketing angle for this fight - especially as it could be staged in Vegas - which is what Carl wants.

I reckon if it was marketed right, could be a big fight too.

I'd tune in to watch it - if Bernard wins, then he really does make history - and at 168 you'd have to give him a real shot, as his style could be a nightmare for Carl.

[Bard of Boxrec]

It's an intriguing one. I just don't think Bernard throws enough punches though. He can't outbox Froch throwing 15 punches a round.

You can bank on this one going the distance for sure :)

[jamesmcdonnell]

It's an intriguing one. I just don't think Bernard throws enough punches though. He can't outbox Froch throwing 15 punches a round.

You can bank on this one going the distance for sure :)

Yeah, don't think Carl can stop him if Kovalev can't.

Thing is with Froch, he can be lulled into spates of not throwing much himself if his opponent gives him angles. Also, Bernard is probably going to be very strong at 168 if he gets his conditioning right, after all, he's used now to fighting bigger men than Carl.

[Bard of Boxrec]

Bernard is a freak so I'm not sure what effect going down will have on him. It's usually negative when people go down in weight but who knows for this Alien.

They should just make it at a mutually convenient catchweight of 171 or something.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Bernard is a freak so I'm not sure what effect going down will have on him. It's usually negative when people go down in weight but who knows for this Alien.

They should just make it at a mutually convenient catchweight of 171 or something.

I hope this fight catches fire - it ticks all the boxes - it's a historic fight, can be staged in Vegas, and I think, that if marketed right, as both men's last fight, it could be huge.

Come on - let's have it.

[stujones]

Hopkins vs Froch would be a cracking fight - seems to be one that has been discussed on forums for years without really the press or relative promoters/fighters ever talking about it.

Everytime Hopkins seems to slow down you get the Froch fans saying the following day "imagine what Carl could do with his workrate etc". Everytime you see Hopkins putting on a show you get the Hopkins fans say "image what he'd do to the non defence of Froch".

Braehmer aside, stylistically Froch would be the among the best "champion" for Hopkins to fight in, or around his weight category. Unless he can make Middle again and do a number on the neurologically damaged Taylor once and for all (which would also be a good swan song for Bhop - although not one I would particularly want to see). Ward is just a younger, fresher version of Bhop... Dirrell is possibly a bit too quick (although he might fancy Groves should he dethrone Dirrel).... Abraham - yeah, Hopkins would be too much for Abraham but not sure he'd fancy a trip to Germany.

And, stylistically I would say Hopkins beats Froch everytime for the next couple of years. Froch's low guard and furious fists would be music to Hopkins' years. I think its a winner for anyone.

Although, I still think Hopkins' beats Stevenson should they fight.

Hopkins must really regret not just seeing the year out and fighting his mandatory in Feb - and being a champion at 50. I really couldn't understand why he went for Kovalev for this time of year. He didn't need to do it and he was never seriously going to get Kovolev and Stevenson before his 50th birthday.

[danamba7]

Hopkins vs Froch would be a cracking fight - seems to be one that has been discussed on forums for years without really the press or relative promoters/fighters ever talking about it.

Everytime Hopkins seems to slow down you get the Froch fans saying the following day "imagine what Carl could do with his workrate etc". Everytime you see Hopkins putting on a show you get the Hopkins fans say "image what he'd do to the non defence of Froch".

Braehmer aside, stylistically Froch would be the among the best "champion" for Hopkins to fight in, or around his weight category. Unless he can make Middle again and do a number on the neurologically damaged Taylor once and for all (which would also be a good swan song for Bhop - although not one I would particularly want to see). Ward is just a younger, fresher version of Bhop... Dirrell is possibly a bit too quick (although he might fancy Groves should he dethrone Dirrel).... Abraham - yeah, Hopkins would be too much for Abraham but not sure he'd fancy a trip to Germany.

And, stylistically I would say Hopkins beats Froch everytime for the next couple of years. Froch's low guard and furious fists would be music to Hopkins' years. I think its a winner for anyone.

Although, I still think Hopkins' beats Stevenson should they fight.

Hopkins must really regret not just seeing the year out and fighting his mandatory in Feb - and being a champion at 50. I really couldn't understand why he went for Kovalev for this time of year. He didn't need to do it and he was never seriously going to get Kovolev and Stevenson before his 50th birthday.

Because, as he said in his post-fight interview, he's crazy.

[hurlock]

not too many british fighters over the last 15 years could actually be described as warriors, froch is 1, carl Thompson another..........then im struggling.

Anthony farnell?

[lefty]

Bernard is a freak so I'm not sure what effect going down will have on him. It's usually negative when people go down in weight but who knows for this Alien.

They should just make it at a mutually convenient catchweight of 171 or something.

I hope this fight catches fire - it ticks all the boxes - it's a historic fight, can be staged in Vegas, and I think, that if marketed right, as both men's last fight, it could be huge.

Come on - let's have it.

I think it's a bad matchup for Carl now. If Carl loses to Hopkins then he'll be seen as losing to a 50 yr old who was just dominated for pretty much every round against Kovalev. Prior to Kovalev i think it would of been a good fight for Carl to take, now I dont believe it is. He'd have a lot more to lose than gain.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Bernard is a freak so I'm not sure what effect going down will have on him. It's usually negative when people go down in weight but who knows for this Alien.

They should just make it at a mutually convenient catchweight of 171 or something.

I hope this fight catches fire - it ticks all the boxes - it's a historic fight, can be staged in Vegas, and I think, that if marketed right, as both men's last fight, it could be huge.

Come on - let's have it.

I think it's a bad matchup for Carl now. If Carl loses to Hopkins then he'll be seen as losing to a 50 yr old who was just dominated for pretty much every round against Kovalev. Prior to Kovalev i think it would of been a good fight for Carl to take, now I dont believe it is. He'd have a lot more to lose than gain.

I agree, that's the one fly in the ointment, however, that is a fight Bernard lost at Light Heavyweight, against a guy who has destroyed almost everyone he's faced so far, and he went the distance, so I don't think it's something which necessarily makes the fight a no-go promotionally.

The other thing that is potentially a problem, is the fact that Hopkins himself, cannot draw flies to shite, he is perceived as boring by the buying public, but I think as a package it can be sold.

I'm not sure I buy the fact that Chavez Jr is some huge money machine though, is he selling massive PPV's - not to my knowledge, and certainly more boxing fans overall, and certainly more casual sports fans have heard of Hopkins. With 6 months to prepare the fight and all the hoopla that goes with it, I think it could be sold - I'm pretty damned sure I could sell the fight to people, - it's a fight writers dream after all - the classic 'fight for the ages.' Last chance saloon for both men to cement their legacies forever, etc, etc.

[lefty]

I hope this fight catches fire - it ticks all the boxes - it's a historic fight, can be staged in Vegas, and I think, that if marketed right, as both men's last fight, it could be huge.

Come on - let's have it.

I think it's a bad matchup for Carl now. If Carl loses to Hopkins then he'll be seen as losing to a 50 yr old who was just dominated for pretty much every round against Kovalev. Prior to Kovalev i think it would of been a good fight for Carl to take, now I dont believe it is. He'd have a lot more to lose than gain.

I agree, that's the one fly in the ointment, however, that is a fight Bernard lost at Light Heavyweight, against a guy who has destroyed almost everyone he's faced so far, and he went the distance, so I don't think it's something which necessarily makes the fight a no-go promotionally.

The other thing that is potentially a problem, is the fact that Hopkins himself, cannot draw flies to shite, he is perceived as boring by the buying public, but I think as a package it can be sold.

I'm not sure I buy the fact that Chavez Jr is some huge money machine though, is he selling massive PPV's - not to my knowledge, and certainly more boxing fans overall, and certainly more casual sports fans have heard of Hopkins. With 6 months to prepare the fight and all the hoopla that goes with it, I think it could be sold - I'm pretty damned sure I could sell the fight to people, - it's a fight writers dream after all - the classic 'fight for the ages.' Last chance saloon for both men to cement their legacies forever, etc, etc.

Yeah dont get me wrong, I think it could be sold but I actually think it's a bad stylistic matchup. Froch isnt really a come forward marauder like a Kovalev/Golovkin and I wouldnt fully categorise him as a pressure fighter either. Carl can be outboxed and I think that is something Hopkins could definietly do and to boot he has a very good defense and punch resistance. He isnt questionable in that area like Groves's is for instance.

[jamesmcdonnell]

To be fair, since he lost to Ward, he has spent a lot more time on the front foot - yes, he can be outboxed, that's for me why the fight is intriguing, if that wasn't the case, Hopkins wouldn't have a hope in hell of winning. I'd make Froch favourite, but not by that Much, Bernard has never been a proper light heavy for me, or certainly not a big one. Despite this, he's won some big fights at the weight - at168 he's not going to be facing men like Kovalev, who are clearly bigger than him, as well as better.

[lefty]

To be fair, since he lost to Ward, he has spent a lot more time on the front foot - yes, he can be outboxed, that's for me why the fight is intriguing, if that wasn't the case, Hopkins wouldn't have a hope in hell of winning. I'd make Froch favourite, but not by that Much, Bernard has never been a proper light heavy for me, or certainly not a big one. Despite this, he's won some big fights at the weight - at168 he's not going to be facing men like Kovalev, who are clearly bigger than him, as well as better.

Id probably make Hopkins favourite to be honest.

[jamesmcdonnell]

To be fair, since he lost to Ward, he has spent a lot more time on the front foot - yes, he can be outboxed, that's for me why the fight is intriguing, if that wasn't the case, Hopkins wouldn't have a hope in hell of winning. I'd make Froch favourite, but not by that Much, Bernard has never been a proper light heavy for me, or certainly not a big one. Despite this, he's won some big fights at the weight - at168 he's not going to be facing men like Kovalev, who are clearly bigger than him, as well as better.

Id probably make Hopkins favourite to be honest.

I can see the case for that - I wouldn't argue the toss that much to be honest. I don't think Hopkins has enough movement these days to beat Froch - he's crafty as hell, but Froch can hit him from range, and throws a lot more punches.