BoxRec

SteveDow wrote:Abraham is also a poor comparison in my view. Abraham does not have anything like the subtle variety of punches GGG has or the ability to cut off the ring like GGG has.

Or hit as hard, he never bombed anyone out at middleweight and went the distance, 11(7)-0 in world title fights shows that, especially when 3 of the stoppages were late on and those that came early were against undersized or overmatched opponents. Abraham has never changed, he's always been a bit of a plodder, working in short bursts, then using an excellent guard to keep anything that came back out. At middleweight he relied on his size and strength because he was big at the weight and used it to grind opponents down with the weight behind his punches. But that didn't carry up to 12st because he no longer had the physical advantages he needed and any power he carried was down to size, not natural power or technique. Abraham was a far better middleweight than super middleweight.

Golovkin is much more likely to be a force at super middleweight than Abraham was moving up because his punching power is a combination of unusual natural power, but also excellent technique and he doesn't rely on the sheer weight behind each punch to hurt his opponents. As you mention, he's also a far better boxer than Abraham, who's very flat footed, works mostly in straight lines, spends most of each round behind a tight guard, then occasionally opens up with a combination, before going back into his shell, too easy to outbox and outwork, shown by Paul Smith almost beating him. Golovkin's footwork is far better, he cuts off the ring very well and he works openings in his opponents defence for the bigger shots to land. His biggest weakness is his defence, which isn't as good as Abraham's, partially because he spends more time on the front foot, but also because he's either willing to walk through his opponents punches to land his own, or because he's careless and doesn't pay enough attention to what's coming back at him.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:

Tarkus wrote:One thing I dont understand is why Eddie is not pushing for this vigorously. Big money fight for him and he seem to drug his feet.

Maybe because DeGale has won a title now - that's my guess.

I fully expect this to be froch's final fight, reclaim his title or passing of the torch.

Golovkin was a really nice idea but froch is often indecisive talking about prospective opponents - and degale makes for a fascinating farewell fight.

Ggg just can't land the big fight and it'll be hard for him to tempt cotton-Alvarez winner, though hugely rewarding if he can secure that fight.

Froch has wealth, good health and a family. DeGale's a tough fight, but most of us still favour Froch. What's the point in another punishing battle for not much credit? If there's a prime reason for Froch to ever fight again, surely it's for the glory of beating the guy so many of us consider a future hall-of-famer?

Froch-Golovkin and Joshua-Haye are the biggest potential fights in Britain right now.

Is golovkin a bigger UK fight than degale?

Degale has just made history, only brit Olympic gold medallist to win a professional world title - doing it in a difficult US fight to boot - then you have the UK grudge match angle; the fact that froch was able to drawhuge crowd for this kind of event...

Golovkin is the bigger transatlantic fight, with the potential for PPV success on HBO, boxing's biggest paymaster. And froch being the ring mag #7 p4p (until exiting the rankings due to inactivity) vs I think the #6 golovkin.

Autobarn wrote:Is golovkin a bigger UK fight than degale?

Degale has just made history, only brit Olympic gold medallist to win a professional world title - doing it in a difficult US fight to boot - then you have the UK grudge match angle; the fact that froch was able to drawhuge crowd for this kind of event...

Golovkin is the bigger transatlantic fight, with the potential for PPV success on HBO, boxing's biggest paymaster. And froch being the ring mag #7 p4p (until exiting the rankings due to inactivity) vs I think the #6 golovkin.

Froch v Degale would have a massive casual fan interest in the UK, and would probably get a bigger attendance because of this (not, IMO, the 80,000 that turned up for Froch v Groves 2).

Froch v GGG however is the bigger UK fight amongst actual boxing fans IMO. I'd sell a bollock for a ticket to that one, but wouldn't be that fussed about going to a Degale fight, without a decent undercard.

I can't see Froch fighting DeGale somehow.

DeGale currently holds a World Title, but it's a World Title that Froch vacated. If the belt was that important to Froch, he'd probably defended it against DeGale when James was the mandatory. Would he really vacate the title, and then wait to see if DeGale won it, then try to win it back off of him?

Seems a bit risky, just to make the fight a tad more interesting to the casual fans.

Besides, it looks like Chunky might be fighting Bernard Hopkins.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2015/06/ber ... ed-stages/

ILikeBeer wrote:Besides, it looks like Chunky might be fighting Bernard Hopkins.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2015/06/ber ... ed-stages/

Would give DeGale a lot of exposure, but its a risky fight to take. Its unlikely he would get beat up, but uoutpointed, thats another story. If Hopkins can negate DeGales attack he could take it on points. What a disaster that would be for DeGale, losing the title in his first defence, the value of a mega fight with Froch or Groves wouod diminish greatly, the rebuilding period would take a long while.

Froch might be fighting golovkin, degale might be fighting Hopkins, froch might be fighting degale...lots of names get thrown around... I take it all with a pinch of salt until the fight gets signed. Because it wasn't that long ago when froch was in talks with Hopkins.

Maybe the degale-Hopkins talks will force froch's hand, or show us how much or how little he wants it.

Autobarn wrote:Froch might be fighting golovkin, degale might be fighting Hopkins, froch might be fighting degale...lots of names get thrown around... I take it all with a pinch of salt until the fight gets signed. Because it wasn't that long ago when froch was in talks with Hopkins.

Maybe the degale-Hopkins talks will force froch's hand, or show us how much or how little he wants it.

I don't see Froch fighting DeGale personally.

ILikeBeer wrote:I don't see Froch fighting DeGale personally.

i don't.

did think froch would come round on it.

if he chooses golovkin or ward 2 then fair enough.

anything else is a degale swerve job though.

Autobarn wrote:Is golovkin a bigger UK fight than degale?

Degale has just made history, only brit Olympic gold medallist to win a professional world title - doing it in a difficult US fight to boot - then you have the UK grudge match angle; the fact that froch was able to drawhuge crowd for this kind of event...

Golovkin is the bigger transatlantic fight, with the potential for PPV success on HBO, boxing's biggest paymaster. And froch being the ring mag #7 p4p (until exiting the rankings due to inactivity) vs I think the #6 golovkin.

I see where you're coming from and to a cssual fan you are definitely right. The difference in them is what they mean to froch. If he beats degale it's expected and I'd imagine it being a bit tougher for him to get motivated as it's pretty much 'no win'.

Golovkin on the other hand is seen by the world of boxing as a genuinely tough fight and froch would solidify his legacy around the world if he was the man to break Golovkin.

How badly does froch want a fight that is PPV in America (golovkin)?

How badly do HBO want to make positive action fights in the wake of maypac"?

A real 50/50 IMO. Both have a good KO record. Froch has a very good chin so if I was forced off the fence, GGG on points.

Would prefer Kovalev, Stevenson or Ward imo, but i suppose it's much better than JCC Jr.

I will actually be disappointed if this doesn't happen, guaranteed great fight, a legacy fight too, a ward rematch will be a bore.

O/T but if Kessler were maybe 4 years younger, GGG-Kessler would be a fvcking fantastic fight.

Counter-puncher wrote:O/T but if Kessler were maybe 4 years younger, GGG-Kessler would be a fvcking fantastic fight.

Thinking about that right hand to the body again?

Lenny wrote:

Counter-puncher wrote:O/T but if Kessler were maybe 4 years younger, GGG-Kessler would be a fvcking fantastic fight.

Thinking about that right hand to the body again?

Ha. Funnily enough I am just rewatching Froch - Kessler 2.

But peak/near-peak Kessler - GGG really would be ace.

Coco wrote:I will actually be disappointed if this doesn't happen, guaranteed great fight, a legacy fight too, a ward rematch will be a bore.

Yeah, in my order of viewing preference: Golovkin > Stevenson > Kovalev > Ward.

Froch-GGG is a great fight, but not PPV in the states.

Autobarn wrote:Froch might be fighting golovkin, degale might be fighting Hopkins, froch might be fighting degale...lots of names get thrown around... I take it all with a pinch of salt until the fight gets signed. Because it wasn't that long ago when froch was in talks with Hopkins.

Maybe the degale-Hopkins talks will force froch's hand, or show us how much or how little he wants it.

Same here - I am still optimistic about Froch v GGG - I think it is just being able to come to terms that both parties accept, Hearn is bandying about Carl's possible retirement to try and force the issue, whilst GGG's people are saying that Hearn has gone silent to make it look like Carl doesn't fancy it - I won't be at all surprised if it does happen in the end - or if indeed, he fights DeGale instead, it's all about the best deal for the risk involved.

It's a fantastic opportunity. Getting the big fight starved, desperate golovkin at the ideal weight and location.

Would like to see froch make the most of it. Obviously no one's mentioned the king's ransom ggg would want paying.

Boxing would be on fire if fights like this and cotto-Alvarez can be made.


For those who took issue with the fight being HBO PPV, golovkin's ppl keep saying it'd be PPV.

Golovkin is saying that he would come to Wembly to box Froch. This would be fantastic if it comes off. What a build up and what a fight that would be.

http://www1.skysports.com/boxing/news/1 ... at-wembley

crusader wrote:GGG has been defeating opponents who are generally quite a bit smaller and less capable than Froch, and power doesn't always carry up. Froch has a good chin, physical strength, and stamina, not to mention that he is quite handy when exchanging and has rarely been outfought even against the elite of 168, and I believe that those may be the right ingredients to survive GGG's assault, push him back (a situation in which GGG is typically ineffective), and take him deep. GGG has actually had the most problems when people stand and fight with him, so I'm not sure that Froch is tailor-made for GGG as some people think.

That said, I think I've seen slippage in Froch and the time may be right for GGG to beat him. I also think he's more likely to walk into a big shot than Murray, so the fact that the latter took GGG into the 11th despite being worse than Froch overall and probably no more durable could be misleading.

exellent,balanced analysis...if it does come off my opinion will change daily!