Froch officially Retires

[SteveDow]

There would always be another opponent the public would want him to box.

This. I would have loved to see Froch have a crack at Ward over here, but I'm happy he's retired, and I'm happy he finally got some of the paydays he thoroughly deserved. I think Eddie Hearn did a cracking job with him.

A second Ward fight was pointless. He wouldn't have beaten Ward if they'd fought 10 times.

[Dan Dares]

The atmosphere at the Bute fight was probably the best I've been in at a boxing event.

Me too. Incredible.

[Manchester Hitman]

Salute Froch a true ring warrior

[misterpunch]

whatever his reasons for hanging up the gloves, you cannot blame George Groves


thanks carl - top man

[Tarkus]

Great fighter! A man who made his mark on the sport of boxing. I have some of my fondest boxing memories associated with him. Super six, beating of Pascal, Taylor, Abraham, demolition of Bute and Groves. Kessler v Froch in particular is one of my all time favorite fights. One of the hardest men out there. True professional. International superstar. Man who chopped trees and sold out Wembley. A legend!

[ILikeBeer]

He's the only fighter in history to beat George Groves in front of 80,000 people at Wembley Stadium.

I didn't know that. You'd have thought Carl would've mentioned it.

[Counter-puncher]

The atmosphere at the Bute fight was probably the best I've been in at a boxing event.
.

[Fuzzy Warbles]

Thank f*ck for that, he's done my head in the last year with his will he, won't he/calling everyone out/then backing off when they showed interest act (it was hilarious when Hopkins called his bluff)

His popularity was at an all time high after the second Groves fight (how many people Carl?) frankly I think he's made a bit of a t*t of himself the last few months and come to be regarded as a figure of fun.

Prediction: If Groves beats Jack, then meets Degale in a unification, Froch comes out of retirement to meet the winner and gets tw*tted.

[mickey1975]

Never a fan, but ultimate respect for his achievements. The first Groves fight was a great night. Pure shock in the arena, then the controversy... He can say what he wants about Groves, but they crossed over that night. And when people go on about Benn-Eubank, Froch-Groves was probably bigger. They should be mates!

[tony1234]

Groves made Froch into a household name so he should be grateful to him but glad to see he retires before age catches up with him

[jamesmcdonnell]

Thank f*ck for that, he's done my head in the last year with his will he, won't he/calling everyone out/then backing off when they showed interest act (it was hilarious when Hopkins called his bluff)

His popularity was at an all time high after the second Groves fight (how many people Carl?) frankly I think he's made a bit of a t*t of himself the last few months and come to be regarded as a figure of fun.

Prediction: If Groves beats Jack, then meets Degale in a unification, Froch comes out of retirement to meet the winner and gets tw*tted.

Figure of fun? Ridiculous statement. Carl earned the right to consider his options - he's consistently taken on the most dangerous opponents out there.

[ILikeBeer]

Figure of fun? Ridiculous statement. Carl earned the right to consider his options - he's consistently taken on the most dangerous opponents out there.

I think there's a lot of negativity towards Froch based on the first fight with Groves. People seem to remember the controversy, rather than his record.

[jamesmcdonnell]

My one concern, is that Carl comes back again, after an even longer layoff.

I've just got the feeling that he's going to regret not having an official swansong fight - the temptation might prove too strong to come back and face off against one of the new leading lights in the division. He's already been out over a year, coming back at his age after a couple of years out would be disastrous.

Obviously this is purely hypothetical - but basically I am saying I hope he stays retired for good.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Figure of fun? Ridiculous statement. Carl earned the right to consider his options - he's consistently taken on the most dangerous opponents out there.

I think there's a lot of negativity towards Froch based on the first fight with Groves. People seem to remember the controversy, rather than his record.

Pretty daft - his record is what defines him as a fighter, not anything said in pre or post match verbals. Groves acted like a complete bellend himself.

[Sklar]

I don't think he'll have a problem being retired, it's not like he's rushed into making the decision. Any withdrawal symptoms will have come and gone. The time honoured comeback based on having spent up isn't likely to become a factor, Froch does not strike me as being a flash twat.

[Counter-puncher]

My one concern, is that Carl comes back again, after an even longer layoff.

I've just got the feeling that he's going to regret not having an official swansong fight - .

As opposed to knocking out George Groves in front of 80,000 people at Wembley?

[forcefraser]

I don't think we've seen the last of Froch in the ring.

We can all have a bit of a push and pull about a bit. He'll be back.

[hitman_hatton1]

Great fighter, great career

i'd put him in the very good bracket.

wasn't a great.

i admit he achieved a lot more than i ever thought he would.

the charles adamu fight completely clouded my judgement on him for years.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I don't think he'll have a problem being retired, it's not like he's rushed into making the decision. Any withdrawal symptoms will have come and gone. The time honoured comeback based on having spent up isn't likely to become a factor, Froch does not strike me as being a flash twat.

Let's hope so.

However, it's difficult to understand just how hard it is for fighters when they retire - it's how Froch has defined himself since schoolboy age - the lack of the thrill of the competition is very very hard for a former fighter to deal with.

I think Froch will need to stay involved in boxing - he's such a natural competitor, maybe after a break, I think he could be a good pundit, he's articulate and pretty sharp - or get involved in training - which would allow him to keep that competitive spirit alive.

[keirw]

He had an excellent career, sad to see it end.
Happy for him that he can retire with his faculties intact and plenty of dosh in the bank, he deserves it.

[Fuzzy Warbles]

'Figure of fun'

With regards to the last 12 months YES, as I said calling people out, then backing off when they showed interest (Hopkins/GGG) CONSTANTLY evoking the Groves fight, the venue and attendance ... (even when he was interviewing Floyd Mayweather ) his own colleagues on SKY were taking the p*ss out of his for the ENDLESS Wembley/80,000 mantra.

And as for the 'Too Big Too Strong For GGG' pic on Twitter,

And I know I'm going to get abuse for this but (dare I say it?) was his career that remarkable?

Apart from Bute every 'world title' he won was vacant.

Was seconds away from losing to blown up Middle Jermain Taylor.

LOST to Dirrell (no matter what the judges said)

Lost to Kessler/barely beat Kessler, who was perhaps slightly over the hill and beaten with EASE by Calzaghe.

Abraham who was/is sh*te at 168lbs.

Johnson 50 year old Lightheavy, dead at the weight.

TOTALLY outclassed by Ward.

Nearly sparked by Groves who was unproven at world level.

[Fuzzy Warbles]

Groves made Froch into a household name so he should be grateful to him

[Fuzzy Warbles]

Figure of fun? Ridiculous statement. Carl earned the right to consider his options - he's consistently taken on the most dangerous opponents out there.

Never chased a return with Ward

[jamesmcdonnell]

Figure of fun? Ridiculous statement. Carl earned the right to consider his options - he's consistently taken on the most dangerous opponents out there.

Never chased a return with Ward

....and?

What would have been the point, he wouldn't have beaten Ward, and nobody would have wanted to see the rematch.

Has anyone else chased a rematch with Ward?

Prick.

[stujones]

Fantastic fighter to watch. Hyped to the max by Sky - fair play I was sceptical about what Eddie could really bring to the table to a man who was still an unknown despite most of his early career being on prime time terrestial TV.... but Eddie made him a geniune British Superstar, which his determination and attitude to the sport deserved.

I would have liked to have seen him acknowledge his close scrapes a bit more and maybe give rematches to the likes of Dirrell (especially) and maybe Taylor, but hey ho a fantastic career.

I'm dreading though the next few years if he is a pundit on Sky..... how many times will Groves/DeGale call him out from ringside.