Froch: No Sour Grapes, But I'm Not Sad To See Andre Ward Go

[Ruthless-RKO]

Froch was shocked to see Ward retire at such a young age, as there were several potential paydays out there - like a unification with Adonis Stevenson or a cruiserweight bout with Tony Bellew.

"It's quite shocking. He's young enough at 33 to have a couple more big fights. I'm not sure he's No 1 pound-for-pound, but he's right up there with all the panellists when they are asked who is the best fighter in the world. Andre Ward comes right at the top of the list. You would think that he's got two, maybe three more big paydays out there for him, but is it too hard on his body, or has he just fallen out of love with the sport? I don't know what his actual reason is, but it's a bit of a shock I suppose," Froch told Sky Sports.

"Andre Ward was a very good fighter, tough to hit. When I boxed him I could barely land a glove on him and it was a very awkward, tricky, horrible night. With that style, it doesn't really get the juices flowing. It doesn't really get people excited. I don't think the TV broadcasters really gave him much love in America. It's a shame because he was a great addition to the light-heavyweight division, beating Kovalev in his last fight, albeit with three low blows! He still beat him.

"I won't be sad to see the back of him. It's not sour grapes. I know he beat me, but I never really got that excited when he boxed. He's retired at the top and not everyone gets to do that. I retired at the top and sometimes it's the best way to go out."

[dirk2686]

Fair comment from Froch really. He's never argued about that fight and he's right - Ward can't shift tickets to save his life.

[Noxy]

Froch is not a Ward fan, no secret there. It does come across as sour grapes, although not as much as when Carl was seeking a rematch. He used to overdo the Ward baiting, but now he doesn't say anything that other pundits wouldn't say as well

[Stuarty]

I miss Froch! I will not miss Ward.

[stujones]

Froch is not a Ward fan, no secret there. It does come across as sour grapes, although not as much as when Carl was seeking a rematch. He used to overdo the Ward baiting, but now he doesn't say anything that other pundits wouldn't say as well

Yes, when someone says "no sour grapes" it usually means the opposite. Its funny how he phrases the P4P debate at the start - "all panelists" - but not him.

[ILikeBeer]

Froch is not a Ward fan, no secret there. It does come across as sour grapes, although not as much as when Carl was seeking a rematch. He used to overdo the Ward baiting, but now he doesn't say anything that other pundits wouldn't say as well

Never really minded too much about that. I can see why, as a fighter, he'd want to rematch and avenge the loss. It'd have been pointless, as he'd have lost again, but I can see why he'd want to try.

[Ricky_]

Froch could have had his biggest paydays but retired instead. Strange comment.

[banjo]

Froch is not a Ward fan, no secret there. It does come across as sour grapes, although not as much as when Carl was seeking a rematch. He used to overdo the Ward baiting, but now he doesn't say anything that other pundits wouldn't say as well

Yes, when someone says "no sour grapes" it usually means the opposite. Its funny how he phrases the P4P debate at the start - "all panelists" - but not him.

Yeah it's like when somebody says "no disrespect" and then goes on to completely disrespect.

[Oiky]

I make Froch right

[TheCobra]

Froch could have had his biggest paydays but retired instead. Strange comment.

Froch was 38 though when he announced his retirement. He also had a style that meant he took punches and was in harder fights/wars than Ward ever was. Ward has a style that could arguably see him go on for another few years, but he hasn't. I think Froch's comments regarding Ward are spot on, obviously a very good fighter, but stylistically dull and not in exciting fights very often. It's an entertainment business as well as just winning fights.

[mickey1975]

Froch never chased a Ward rematch!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Froch never chased a Ward rematch!

Yes he did, after Kessler he mentioned he wanted a dream fight in Las Vegas, but only against Ward. Even after Groves, he said he only wanted to avenge his loss to Ward. If he couldn't get Ward then he would retire,

[Ricky_]

Froch never chased a Ward rematch!

Yes he did, after Kessler he mentioned he wanted a dream fight in Las Vegas, but only against Ward. Even after Groves, he said he only wanted to avenge his loss to Ward. If he couldn't get Ward then he would retire,

I'm not sure that's accurate. Froch was trying to get Chavez Jnr in the ring in Vegas.

[whiskey]

Froch never chased a Ward rematch!

I can shed a little light on it, not much but a little.

From what I know, is that there was a homecoming being considered for Froch in Nottingham at the City ground.

Hopkins, whom had been routed by Kovalev said he'd come over for a sherbert dip - and it was felt it could be a stinker of a fight for his finale.

Elsewhere GGG did not entertain the idea at all, he repeatedly said his goal was to unify the middleweight titles - only his trainer was vocal about fighting everyone from 154 to 168, and that talk went nowhere as he had already got fights pencilled in. He was know to hardcore fans but not even been on PPV himself at that point. Regardless, they (his team) were apparently interested I gather but timing bad with their commitments. GGG himself? not so sure at all.

Finally, Andre Ward was deceitful - he was publicly saying the fight had to be at Wembley and he would not fight in Nottingham, and everyone knew Ward was not going to fill Wembley regardless who he fought.

But behind the scenes he was actually talking to Hearn about fighting Paul Smith at light heavy and couldn't even make 168 anymore.

In closing, Carl himself said it would probably be more of the same, with a boring points loss that would send the fight fans to sleep.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Froch never chased a Ward rematch!

Yes he did, after Kessler he mentioned he wanted a dream fight in Las Vegas, but only against Ward. Even after Groves, he said he only wanted to avenge his loss to Ward. If he couldn't get Ward then he would retire,

I'm not sure that's accurate. Froch was trying to get Chavez Jnr in the ring in Vegas.

Watch his post-fight interview after the Kessler fight

[mickey1975]

Froch never chased a Ward rematch!

I can shed a little light on it, not much but a little.

From what I know, is that there was a homecoming being considered for Froch in Nottingham at the City ground.

Hopkins, whom had been routed by Kovalev said he'd come over for a sherbert dip - and it was felt it could be a stinker of a fight for his finale.

Elsewhere GGG did not entertain the idea at all, he repeatedly said his goal was to unify the middleweight titles - only his trainer was vocal about fighting everyone from 154 to 168, and that talk went nowhere as he had already got fights pencilled in. He was know to hardcore fans but not even been on PPV himself at that point. Regardless, they (his team) were apparently interested I gather but timing bad with their commitments. GGG himself? not so sure at all.

Finally, Andre Ward was deceitful - he was publicly saying the fight had to be at Wembley and he would not fight in Nottingham, and everyone knew Ward was not going to fill Wembley regardless who he fought.

But behind the scenes he was actually talking to Hearn about fighting Paul Smith at light heavy and couldn't even make 168 anymore.

In closing, Carl himself said it would probably be more of the same, with a boring points loss that would send the fight fans to sleep.

Fair enough, I just can't see why he'd even want to.

[saad muhammad]

Come on guy's this should be about achievement not style...history tells us some of the great fighters of yesteryear not all of them had exciting styles but they got their props ,the modern boxing fan seems to have some kind of personal hate against some boxers e.g.; don't like the way they speak,colour of their shorts etc,...it's too personal fellas,it's a hard game ,give ward his due the man never lost since he was a kid of 13 for gawds sake!!

[rio]

froch never wanted the ward rematch. Heard him say plenty of times it would be a boring fight that he would probably lose. Froch wanted chavez in vegas for his last fight.