BoxRec

Hello chaps,
I just arrived back from a trip which included a superb ringside view at Froch v Taylor and thought some of you may be interested in a few observations from around the fight:

Froch and his lovely girlfriend walked right by us an hour and a half after the fight finished as they shuffled back to the on site hotel. Although it was obviously a gruelling fight I was shocked how bad Froch looked. He was utterly spent and the adrenaline from the fight had clearly worn off. Interestingly, he was also limping badly, so I wonder if his ACL has flared up. I noticed him flicking his leg strangely during the fight so I had wondered if it was bothering him.

Lou Dibella was straight to the press rows once he got the judges scores. “15 seconds from the title” he shouted a couple of times, almost as though he was trying to influence a pro-Taylor report. As the commission was handing out photocopies of the scoring to the press I took one too. I’m half tempted to see if Froch would be kind enough to sign it.

My pal and I shared a taxi from the train station to Foxwoods with a guy from Nottingham who was with his 14 year old daughter. He later told us in the bar after the fight that he’d met a ‘really nice’ chap from the boxing board who’d offered to pull strings to get his daughter a ticket to the fight (which he declined).

Al Bernstein was going through intro rehearsals for Showtime from 7pm, a good two hours before their broadcast started. I was disappointed that their angle seemed to be more on a come backing Taylor than up and coming Froch. I haven’t seen the broadcast yet, but I guess that is to be expected.

Some very drunk British nut case was shout-slurring ‘Tyson Fury, next undisputed heavyweight champion’ repeatedly. Most of the bemused Yanks were wondering why he was shouting about a guy who has retired, a couple recognised the name (as they knew he was supposed to be on the bill) but most were just plain bemused. He became more and more (eg very) belligerent, until he was eventually (and deservedly) thrown out after the 7th round!

Mickey Ward (in an Affliction T shirt) looked healthy and happy mingling around ringside

I was drinking in the bar later very close to a very disappointed member of team Taylor. He looked so like Taylor he must be related. I overheard him suggesting to their minder that Taylor should retire, that he had enough money to pay the bills for the rest of his life.

Mick Hennesey (as were the rest of us) was enjoying his Corona after the fight in the bar. He looked like he’d really been through the ringer. He was chatting to some of the few Froch fans there after the fight.

There were rumours of quite a number of Notts Forest fans coming but it didn’t materialise at all. I’d be surprised if there were more than 100 British fans there, 200 at absolute max (less the one idiot thrown out!)

I was sat next to a very knowledgeable boxing fan from NY and his extremely hot girl. He knew and had worked as an intern for Dibella and told some great stories about (among other things) going to St Louis with Judah for the Spinks fight and knowing Monte Barrett. He wasn’t saying any of this to show off, he was responding to my questions. Nice guy.

Obviously the finish was very satisfying after the ‘USA, USA’ and ‘Send him home Jermaine’ chants. I was shouting for Froch all the way though and in fairness a few Taylor fans came and shook my hand afterwards and remarked on what a tough SOB Froch is. I asked one if the Americans would like Froch now and he said with a smile “I don’t like him: he just whipped my boy. But I sure respect him’

sounds like a great trip Chinny, thanks for the insights.

Fantastic report chinny, thanks. On the subject of Froch's limp afterwards, the BBC blogger said this was due to a low blow from Taylor. Whether Froch told him that or not I don't know.

nobby_nobbins wrote:Fantastic report chinny, thanks. On the subject of Froch's limp afterwards, the BBC blogger said this was due to a low blow from Taylor. Whether Froch told him that or not I don't know.

He did claim a low blow in the fight, but they both accepted it and got on with it.

Great report Chinny, a nice insight.

chinny wrote: There were rumours of quite a number of Notts Forest fans coming but it didn’t materialise at all. I’d be surprised if there were more than 100 British fans there, 200 at absolute max (less the one idiot thrown out!)

Thats not too bad, though, given the times we are in.

Generally, whats an average following for a champion abroad?

yeah good stuff chinny.

hopefully froch can build up a better following.

2 hometown fights is what he needs now.

or maybe 1 in nottingham and 1 in london.

dbf wrote:Great report Chinny, a nice insight.

Glad you had a good time Chinny, interesting perspective hearing it from a fan's point of view.

My friend also went, he said that Foxwoods was very hard to get to.
If Froch fights in New York or Vegas I am sure the fans will turn up.

Thanks for that. Enjoyed reading it.

That's awesome, thanks for the post. I love reports like this, make sure you guys do one for Wlad/Haye.

chinny wrote:Hello chaps,
I just arrived back from a trip which included a superb ringside view at Froch v Taylor and thought some of you may be interested in a few observations from around the fight:

Froch and his lovely girlfriend walked right by us an hour and a half after the fight finished as they shuffled back to the on site hotel. Although it was obviously a gruelling fight I was shocked how bad Froch looked. He was utterly spent and the adrenaline from the fight had clearly worn off. Interestingly, he was also limping badly, so I wonder if his ACL has flared up. I noticed him flicking his leg strangely during the fight so I had wondered if it was bothering him.

Lou Dibella was straight to the press rows once he got the judges scores. “15 seconds from the title” he shouted a couple of times, almost as though he was trying to influence a pro-Taylor report. As the commission was handing out photocopies of the scoring to the press I took one too. I’m half tempted to see if Froch would be kind enough to sign it.

My pal and I shared a taxi from the train station to Foxwoods with a guy from Nottingham who was with his 14 year old daughter. He later told us in the bar after the fight that he’d met a ‘really nice’ chap from the boxing board who’d offered to pull strings to get his daughter a ticket to the fight (which he declined).

Al Bernstein was going through intro rehearsals for Showtime from 7pm, a good two hours before their broadcast started. I was disappointed that their angle seemed to be more on a come backing Taylor than up and coming Froch. I haven’t seen the broadcast yet, but I guess that is to be expected.

Some very drunk British nut case was shout-slurring ‘Tyson Fury, next undisputed heavyweight champion’ repeatedly. Most of the bemused Yanks were wondering why he was shouting about a guy who has retired, a couple recognised the name (as they knew he was supposed to be on the bill) but most were just plain bemused. He became more and more (eg very) belligerent, until he was eventually (and deservedly) thrown out after the 7th round!

Mickey Ward (in an Affliction T shirt) looked healthy and happy mingling around ringside

I was drinking in the bar later very close to a very disappointed member of team Taylor. He looked so like Taylor he must be related. I overheard him suggesting to their minder that Taylor should retire, that he had enough money to pay the bills for the rest of his life.

Mick Hennesey (as were the rest of us) was enjoying his Corona after the fight in the bar. He looked like he’d really been through the ringer. He was chatting to some of the few Froch fans there after the fight.

There were rumours of quite a number of Notts Forest fans coming but it didn’t materialise at all. I’d be surprised if there were more than 100 British fans there, 200 at absolute max (less the one idiot thrown out!)

I was sat next to a very knowledgeable boxing fan from NY and his extremely hot girl. He knew and had worked as an intern for Dibella and told some great stories about (among other things) going to St Louis with Judah for the Spinks fight and knowing Monte Barrett. He wasn’t saying any of this to show off, he was responding to my questions. Nice guy.

Obviously the finish was very satisfying after the ‘USA, USA’ and ‘Send him home Jermaine’ chants. I was shouting for Froch all the way though and in fairness a few Taylor fans came and shook my hand afterwards and remarked on what a tough SOB Froch is. I asked one if the Americans would like Froch now and he said with a smile “I don’t like him: he just whipped my boy. But I sure respect him’

Enjoyed reading that Chinny, sounds like a great trip...

Good report i did expect more people to go to the fight

Cheers, interesting stuff.

yeah, thanks from me too. Interesting read. I take it Carl didn't sign the photocopied scorecard?

finchy36 wrote:yeah, thanks from me too. Interesting read. I take it Carl didn't sign the photocopied scorecard?

Didn't ask him, he looked far too shattered after the fight. Besides, with his girl looking the way she did and leading him back to their suite the last thing he wants is some f&ckwit like me asking for an autograph!
I might send it to him though, would make a good momento

chinny wrote: I was sat next to a very knowledgeable boxing fan from NY and his extremely hot girl. He knew and had worked as an intern for Dibella and told some great stories about (among other things) going to St Louis with Judah for the Spinks fight and knowing Monte Barrett. He wasn’t saying any of this to show off, he was responding to my questions. Nice guy

Was he black, in his late 30s or early 40s, gold tooth and wearing a purple suit with a hat and claimed he had family in Ireland?

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:

chinny wrote: I was sat next to a very knowledgeable boxing fan from NY and his extremely hot girl. He knew and had worked as an intern for Dibella and told some great stories about (among other things) going to St Louis with Judah for the Spinks fight and knowing Monte Barrett. He wasn’t saying any of this to show off, he was responding to my questions. Nice guy

Was he black, in his late 30s or early 40s, gold tooth and wearing a purple suit with a hat and claimed he had family in Ireland?

chinny wrote:

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:

chinny wrote: I was sat next to a very knowledgeable boxing fan from NY and his extremely hot girl. He knew and had worked as an intern for Dibella and told some great stories about (among other things) going to St Louis with Judah for the Spinks fight and knowing Monte Barrett. He wasn’t saying any of this to show off, he was responding to my questions. Nice guy

Was he black, in his late 30s or early 40s, gold tooth and wearing a purple suit with a hat and claimed he had family in Ireland?

Seriously?

Nah, he was a former prison warden I sat next to at during one of Zab's fights. He worked for Top Rank at the time for Zab. Had two women with him. Suspect he was a pimp. Debated with him that Zab would beat Hatton at 140.

He disagreed and told me the problem with Zab is two fold, "liquor and pussy".

send it me chinny if you like ?

chinny wrote:Hello chaps,
I just arrived back from a trip which included a superb ringside view at Froch v Taylor and thought some of you may be interested in a few observations from around the fight:

Froch and his lovely girlfriend walked right by us an hour and a half after the fight finished as they shuffled back to the on site hotel. Although it was obviously a gruelling fight I was shocked how bad Froch looked. He was utterly spent and the adrenaline from the fight had clearly worn off. Interestingly, he was also limping badly, so I wonder if his ACL has flared up. I noticed him flicking his leg strangely during the fight so I had wondered if it was bothering him.

Lou Dibella was straight to the press rows once he got the judges scores. “15 seconds from the title” he shouted a couple of times, almost as though he was trying to influence a pro-Taylor report. As the commission was handing out photocopies of the scoring to the press I took one too. I’m half tempted to see if Froch would be kind enough to sign it.

My pal and I shared a taxi from the train station to Foxwoods with a guy from Nottingham who was with his 14 year old daughter. He later told us in the bar after the fight that he’d met a ‘really nice’ chap from the boxing board who’d offered to pull strings to get his daughter a ticket to the fight (which he declined).

Al Bernstein was going through intro rehearsals for Showtime from 7pm, a good two hours before their broadcast started. I was disappointed that their angle seemed to be more on a come backing Taylor than up and coming Froch. I haven’t seen the broadcast yet, but I guess that is to be expected.

Some very drunk British nut case was shout-slurring ‘Tyson Fury, next undisputed heavyweight champion’ repeatedly. Most of the bemused Yanks were wondering why he was shouting about a guy who has retired, a couple recognised the name (as they knew he was supposed to be on the bill) but most were just plain bemused. He became more and more (eg very) belligerent, until he was eventually (and deservedly) thrown out after the 7th round!

Mickey Ward (in an Affliction T shirt) looked healthy and happy mingling around ringside

I was drinking in the bar later very close to a very disappointed member of team Taylor. He looked so like Taylor he must be related. I overheard him suggesting to their minder that Taylor should retire, that he had enough money to pay the bills for the rest of his life.

Mick Hennesey (as were the rest of us) was enjoying his Corona after the fight in the bar. He looked like he’d really been through the ringer. He was chatting to some of the few Froch fans there after the fight.

There were rumours of quite a number of Notts Forest fans coming but it didn’t materialise at all. I’d be surprised if there were more than 100 British fans there, 200 at absolute max (less the one idiot thrown out!)

I was sat next to a very knowledgeable boxing fan from NY and his extremely hot girl. He knew and had worked as an intern for Dibella and told some great stories about (among other things) going to St Louis with Judah for the Spinks fight and knowing Monte Barrett. He wasn’t saying any of this to show off, he was responding to my questions. Nice guy.

Obviously the finish was very satisfying after the ‘USA, USA’ and ‘Send him home Jermaine’ chants. I was shouting for Froch all the way though and in fairness a few Taylor fans came and shook my hand afterwards and remarked on what a tough SOB Froch is. I asked one if the Americans would like Froch now and he said with a smile “I don’t like him: he just whipped my boy. But I sure respect him’

Excellent insight mate, sounded like you had a great time.

teddy007 wrote:

chinny wrote:Hello chaps,
I just arrived back from a trip which included a superb ringside view at Froch v Taylor and thought some of you may be interested in a few observations from around the fight:

Froch and his lovely girlfriend walked right by us an hour and a half after the fight finished as they shuffled back to the on site hotel. Although it was obviously a gruelling fight I was shocked how bad Froch looked. He was utterly spent and the adrenaline from the fight had clearly worn off. Interestingly, he was also limping badly, so I wonder if his ACL has flared up. I noticed him flicking his leg strangely during the fight so I had wondered if it was bothering him.

Lou Dibella was straight to the press rows once he got the judges scores. “15 seconds from the title” he shouted a couple of times, almost as though he was trying to influence a pro-Taylor report. As the commission was handing out photocopies of the scoring to the press I took one too. I’m half tempted to see if Froch would be kind enough to sign it.

My pal and I shared a taxi from the train station to Foxwoods with a guy from Nottingham who was with his 14 year old daughter. He later told us in the bar after the fight that he’d met a ‘really nice’ chap from the boxing board who’d offered to pull strings to get his daughter a ticket to the fight (which he declined).

Al Bernstein was going through intro rehearsals for Showtime from 7pm, a good two hours before their broadcast started. I was disappointed that their angle seemed to be more on a come backing Taylor than up and coming Froch. I haven’t seen the broadcast yet, but I guess that is to be expected.

Some very drunk British nut case was shout-slurring ‘Tyson Fury, next undisputed heavyweight champion’ repeatedly. Most of the bemused Yanks were wondering why he was shouting about a guy who has retired, a couple recognised the name (as they knew he was supposed to be on the bill) but most were just plain bemused. He became more and more (eg very) belligerent, until he was eventually (and deservedly) thrown out after the 7th round!

Mickey Ward (in an Affliction T shirt) looked healthy and happy mingling around ringside

I was drinking in the bar later very close to a very disappointed member of team Taylor. He looked so like Taylor he must be related. I overheard him suggesting to their minder that Taylor should retire, that he had enough money to pay the bills for the rest of his life.

Mick Hennesey (as were the rest of us) was enjoying his Corona after the fight in the bar. He looked like he’d really been through the ringer. He was chatting to some of the few Froch fans there after the fight.

There were rumours of quite a number of Notts Forest fans coming but it didn’t materialise at all. I’d be surprised if there were more than 100 British fans there, 200 at absolute max (less the one idiot thrown out!)

I was sat next to a very knowledgeable boxing fan from NY and his extremely hot girl. He knew and had worked as an intern for Dibella and told some great stories about (among other things) going to St Louis with Judah for the Spinks fight and knowing Monte Barrett. He wasn’t saying any of this to show off, he was responding to my questions. Nice guy.

Obviously the finish was very satisfying after the ‘USA, USA’ and ‘Send him home Jermaine’ chants. I was shouting for Froch all the way though and in fairness a few Taylor fans came and shook my hand afterwards and remarked on what a tough SOB Froch is. I asked one if the Americans would like Froch now and he said with a smile “I don’t like him: he just whipped my boy. But I sure respect him’

Excellent insight mate, sounded like you had a great time.

x2

BBC bloke said that Hennessy was very stressed looking before the fight, hands shaking, had cut himself shaving, was feeling the pre fight pressure.

thankfully it all worked out.

Thanks for that chinny!