What's next for The Cobra?

scrap iron · Post by **scrap iron** » 25 Mar 2007, 14:05

Well done to Carl Froch. I thought Friday night was without doubt one of the best displays of Carl's pro career, a great finish and it was nice to see him have a purposeful opening round for a change. But what next? I think one thing is clear, that there are serious hopes for a big fight, possibly at the Ice Arena, late this summer. But who with? I can't see Bute coming to Nottingham now he's got a nice route ready for him to challenge for the IBF title. I can only imagined Kessler would go to Nottingham if he was offered silly money and in return offer peanuts for Carl to face him in Denmark.
I don't entirely agree with Glenn McCrory's suggestion of taking David Gogiya for the EBU title. Yes, it would make Carl a European Champion, but he would still only be taking on a man who lost an opponent who Carl blitzed in two rounds.
I suppose if they really desperate for an opponent I'm sure the comebacking Glenn Catley would be willing to travel to Nottingham, but that's hardly a big fight is it.
I'm beginning to wonder if Joe Calzaghe is the long term aim for The Cobra and if that's the case maybe a WBO final eliminator against the number one ranked Russian Denis Inkin is the way to go. He's got an impressive 30(23)-0 record and I'll imagine he would be easier to tempt to Nottingham then some other names.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 25 Mar 2007, 14:29

I think he should go for world titles now, it'll be a waste of time fighting the likes of Catley and Robin Reid... Carl would have more to lose than win in those fights as both men are past it... he should try and get Calzaghe or Kesseler.... if he beat Kesseler then theres no way that Calzaghe could avoid fighting him without losing face... Froch is 30 now and its time for him to make his move...

rhino222 · Post by **rhino222** » 25 Mar 2007, 14:46

i think that froch should be prepared to take the lower end of the purse, and travel to denmark if required, to get his hands on kesslers belts. kessler is a sound technician, but i honestly feel the cobra could beat him, inside the distance too.

states · Post by **states** » 25 Mar 2007, 14:55

I'd say Denis Inkin. Good fighter, good fight. And whilst the WBO never seem to enforce Calzaghe's mandatories, Inkin is currently WBO number 1, Froch is 3. Bute is number 2, but as he's going for the IBF belt, I think Inkin-Froch would decide the number one contender for Calzaghe. Plus, I suspect Inkin may be more open to travelling to Nottingham than Kessler, Berrio or Calzaghe.

Box Office · Post by **Box Office** » 25 Mar 2007, 15:04

Froch is really sitting in good position

I would think that he may call for a Eliminator now,
and I bet the top guys avoid him like the Ebola virus.
I think he gets that fight against a sub-par fighter
Nobody in the top 5 will be running to face Froch now,
He is just too stong and knocking out too many regarded fighters.
He is going to have a easy route to a title, and he has earned it!

1 .- Librado Andrade (Mexico) -N/A will drop to #3?
2 .- Lucian Bute (Romania/Canada) NABF/AMERICA N/A IBF Eliminator
3 .- Carl Froch (GB) BBBoC/COMM -Will move to #1 ?
4 .- Dennis Inkin (Russia) INTL No money!
5 .- Markus Beyer (Germany)-Never take the fight
6 .- Devy Gogiya (Georgia) EBU/CISBB-Hard fight/no money
7 .- Cristian Sanavia (Italy) No money but easy job
8 .- Jurgen Brahmer (Germany) Never would fight Froch
9 .- Jackson Chanet (France) No money
10 .- Jean Pascal (Haiti/Canada) LATINO- Too young, Pascal can wait

I would say that a Eliminator with Sanavia is smartest route, Sanavia
was in line for the Otis Grant Eliminator that Andrade ended up taking

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 25 Mar 2007, 15:21

I just hope he's not kept hanging around waiting for a title shot for too long... I think the champions will try and avoid him as much as they can...

states · Post by **states** » 25 Mar 2007, 15:42

silkov wrote:I just hope he's not kept hanging around waiting for a title shot for too long... I think the champions will try and avoid him as much as they can...

I think he has to try for an eliminator. Kessler has just fulfilled his WBC mandatory. The WBA rank Froch low (12th, I think), so that's Kessler out of the way. The Bute/Bika winner seems next in line for the IBF, although I wouldn't be surprised to see that belt kept in house with Sauerland for a while yet. That leaves Calzaghe. Which is bad news for Froch, because the WBO really don't give a fornicate about forcing their champions to face mandatories. But I think Froch has to aim for a mandatory shot, much like Witter did, because I very much doubt anyone will face him in a voluntary defence. It's not like he's in Hatton's position, where he can offer a champion a huge purse.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 25 Mar 2007, 15:45

I agree on forcing the WBO mandatory. The WBO is the huge consistent in Calzaghe's career. All Froch has to do is beat Inkin. Now, this won't be easy. Inkin is one of those mega-efficient Russians. Froch is an erratic talent. But if Froch is business-like - as was the case on Friday - he surely can get the guy out of there. I'd say Froch is more seasoned than Inkin (having faced Barney, Magee, Dodson, Tatevosyan).

Froch-Inkin is a superb fight in itself. Ppl need to get the machinery moving - NOW.

You can't strike a deal with Warren, it seems, unless you want to turn your back on the ppl who got you there. But if you do it the mandatory route, then there's no way Froch can be pissed about. Warren won't be able to mess this all British fight like he did the last one.

Go Froch. Great to see someone do things the old fashioned way.

glahn · Post by **glahn** » 25 Mar 2007, 15:48

rhino222 wrote:i think that froch should be prepared to take the lower end of the purse, and travel to denmark if required, to get his hands on kesslers belts. kessler is a sound technician, but i honestly feel the cobra could beat him, inside the distance too.

I think Froch is potentially a tougher fight for Kessler than Calzaghe would be. Kessler obviously doesn't have a huge punch, so Froch should stand up to his shots alright, and he can fire back with a lot more than pretty much anyone else at super middle. It would also be an excellent fight.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 25 Mar 2007, 16:36

Froch-Calzaghe would be a really unusual fight. Neither have normal styles. I can see the considerably taller Froch nailing Calzaghe with that swatting right hand. And Calzaghe catchinh Froch with clusters. Fighting a lefty would encourage Froch to throw a lot of rights and to get right in there.

Okay, Calzaghe-Woods came to nothing...Macca-Haye came to nothing...Hatton-Witter ditto...Does anyone miss world class domestic fights? You'd almost believe that Eubank, Benn and Watson were being unreasonable fighting each other all those times!

We're British boxing followers and we deserve the big domestic fights. Our island is producing better fighters than we've had in a long time. Get it on. Calzaghe v Froch = a must see.

black panther · Post by **black panther** » 25 Mar 2007, 17:25

Checking out the rankings earlier and by fighting inkin its concievable froch could fight inkin as an eliminator for all the major belts as inkin is highly ranked by all organisations. Its a shame Bute got the IBF eliminator first but Inkin seems the way to go and despite his unbeaten record looked decent but very beatable against Veit.

rhino222 · Post by **rhino222** » 25 Mar 2007, 18:25

im pretty sure that, due to not turning pro till relatively late (23?) that froch has at least 5 more years left in his tank due to his excellent committment, stamina and fitness. perhaps that will be a dozen more fights.

i for one cant wait to see a big world title fight at the nottingham arena.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 25 Mar 2007, 19:22

Froch needs a world title fight now, at worst an official elimiantor (whatever that means these days).

He's 29, no point treading more water beating fighters he will be heavily odds on to beat before the opneing bell rings.

thunderfromdownunder · Post by **thunderfromdownunder** » 26 Mar 2007, 04:15

how about a fight with mundine.....
could be intresting

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 26 Mar 2007, 05:27

rhino222 wrote:i think that froch should be prepared to take the lower end of the purse, and travel to denmark if required, to get his hands on kesslers belts. kessler is a sound technician, but i honestly feel the cobra could beat him, inside the distance too.

your losing it mate.

kessler on pts.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 26 Mar 2007, 05:28

He told BN he wants Calzaghe & Kessler, but that he'd rather become WBO mandatory and get Calzaghe. I mean, this is just one of those natural British rivalries. I've never been big on Froch, but that last performance won me over and I'm really starting to respect his body of work. He looks SO good when he doesn't wait and load up.

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 26 Mar 2007, 07:54

I maintain he should go for kessler - Along with Rhino I give him a very good shot of beating Kessler.

That then sets up a truly mega fight with Calzaghe - If not Kessler, he needs to get a title before turning his attentions to Calzaghe.

Ally-M1 · Post by **Ally-M1** » 26 Mar 2007, 09:22

Calzaghe would be far more elusive to obtain than Kessler, Joe can pretty much do what he likes...

Froch should move towards trying to fight Kessler as perhaps, he'd be easier to agree a deal with (though Froch would probably have to go to Denamrk) and that fight would be anybody's...

If he was to somehow get Joe, which he is desperate to, that would be great for British boxing...

Despite Joe's age though, he's still #1 and an angry, taunted Calzaghe is a dangerous one that Froch should do well to avoid stirring up!

(that's my thoughts anyway!)

jangeorg · Post by **jangeorg** » 26 Mar 2007, 09:54

rhino222 wrote:i think that froch should be prepared to take the lower end of the purse, and travel to denmark if required, to get his hands on kesslers belts. kessler is a sound technician, but i honestly feel the cobra could beat him, inside the distance too.

He will never get past Kessler jab and i dont think Frock has done anything to get a title-shot,he are just Carl"allmouth"Frock

WildWaylon · Post by **WildWaylon** » 26 Mar 2007, 18:37

mad gear gang wrote:He told BN he wants Calzaghe & Kessler, but that he'd rather become WBO mandatory and get Calzaghe. I mean, this is just one of those natural British rivalries. I've never been big on Froch, but that last performance won me over and I'm really starting to respect his body of work. He looks SO good when he doesn't wait and load up.

I have to agree so much with this and your previous posting on this thread - Froch is improving with every fight, and showed greater respect last Friday to his opponent than I have seen before - He also raised his guard more and didnt showboat - In fact he worked well picking his shots and dispelled my doubts about his ability at the top level - I agree with you domestic dustups are great and it settles who is the best at the different weights - Problem of course is getting these fights made and with incompatible promoters, purses and boxing politics in general standing in the way its unlikely they will come off - Haye did say the other night after this fight he is having at HW he wants to return to CW clean up the division before going back up and trying to do the same there - That can only mean as far as I am concerned a matchup with Macca because you couldnt clean up in the division without that showdown - Maybe ITV who want that fight (as well as us) may well get it after all - If Hatton was to lose against Castillo we may see Hatton eating his own words and fighting Witter for his title - Calzaghe v Froch I think is the least likely - Sadly we will be speculating years from now who would have beaten who, and probably on this forum - Joe will fight where the money is ($) and likely retire undefeated and wait until he is 50 to pick up his knighthood - Fans of Calzaghe will always insist he could have thrashed Froch while Froch fans will claim the opposite - However I rather like Froch himself seem to be jumping the gun because he still has to win a legitimate world title to be considered alongside Calzaghe - So many times we have seen 20 something and 0 and then its and 1 - A loss might just do Froch some good but then again as I have said his ring attitude has changed so he already knows stepping up in class means more risky fights - I just wish he was less arrogant outside the ring and more people would support him - You certainly couldnt say Froch fights are boring, he does entertain and spring surprises - I still think its a bit early to say he is world class but he is virtually up at the top now and if he can grab a title he is well on his way to proving some of the claims he makes about himself - I think Kessler is the man he needs to stalk, forget Calzaghe, that I think is the way to go for Froch - Then do what Joe is doing fight big name yanks and make loads of money.

dr_devious · Post by **dr_devious** » 29 Mar 2007, 07:53

I hope he fights Calzaghe or Kessler next. He could be the one to burst Calzone's pizza. I'm not sure about Kessler, only read about him and havent seen him

Chesney_Chambers · Post by **Chesney_Chambers** » 29 Mar 2007, 11:26

Froch lays down challenge to Inkin

Carl Froch is a man on a world title mission. Rather than sit back and bask in the glory of his devastating punch perfect win over world operator Sergey Tatevosyan at the weekend, the Nottingham puncher has called on the Russian’s countryman Dennis Inkin to meet him in a final eliminator.

British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion Froch, boxing in front of his loyal hometown fans at the Nottingham Arena, became the first ever to stop Tatevosyan after flooring him with a spectacular right hook in the second round. Tatevosyan beat the count, but was rescued shortly after whilst under a barrage of punches from the merciless ‘Cobra’.

The win cements his place in the world top two. He was already ranked at #3 by the WBO and WBC but Lucian Bute – who was ranked above him in both – was taken the distance last time out by Tatevosyan and has opted to contest a final eliminator for the IBF championship.

With Bute out of the picture, Froch is set to move up and become the #2 contender for the WBO Championship held by his long-term rival Joe Calzaghe. Only Inkin would remain above him.

Froch, however, holds the whip hand over Inkin with the WBC, whose rankings he is set to top. Previous #1 Andrade has just been beaten in his mandatory challenge to champion Mikkel Kessler, whilst Bute was at #2 and Inkin #4.

“I get the feeling Inkin is hoping to sit and wait in his #1 slot with the WBO and get a nice, easy, straight shot at the title,” began Froch. “But I’m afraid, Dennis, that you are going to have come through me.

“I am right on your case. We are going to be #1 and #2 for both the WBC and WBO titles. To find the mandatory there needs to be a final eliminator. Calzaghe’s next defence is due soon. Let’s cut out the rubbish and do it for both titles.

“I’m challenging you to meet me in an old-school fight between two undefeated bangers.

“Don’t swerve me at all costs like Bute has. It was looking like him and me in a WBC final eliminator, but he has gone another route. His team knew I was contracted to box last week so I couldn’t fight an IBF eliminator.

“Don’t look for the easy option and play the ratings game. You’re 29-0 with 23 KO’s; I’m 21-0 with 17 KO’s. We are the highest rated contenders, so let’s do things the proper way.

“You beat me as an amateur. You got a good win on points in an England-Russia International. But don’t forget, in the last round I put you down heavily and only the bell saved you. I want the opportunity to do the job properly this time. I’m going to knock you out.”

Int Carl Brilliant

Its nice to see Carl doing things the proper way AGAIN, he could quite easily have a couple of piss about fights and hope to land a voluntary shot, but he's chose to call out the highest available contender and force the issue...RESPECT

Carls career hasn't been run solely as a money-making exercise, which makes a refreshing change these days, his opponents haven't been chosen by using the smallest risk to highest reward ratio. He has total confidence in himself to beat anyone out there and more importantly his promoter has the same confidence in him (and so do I).

Lets hope this Inkin maggot steps up, so Our Carly can take his revenge.

It would be great to see Carl in the WBO mandatory spot, but with the clout that FW has with the WBO I'd be surprised to see them enforce a defence against Carl, but you never know if JC can't lure Hopkins or Taylor into the ring he might be short of options

Well done Carl and Mick, other fighters and promoters should take note for the sake of boxing