Derby Storm: a preview
Posted: 26 Nov 2003, 10:01
FORMER double ABA champion and world bronze medallist, Carl Froch, continues his rise through the pro ranks when he meets Manchester's Alan Page for the inaugural English super-middleweight title (the 10-rounder also doubles up as British title eliminator to new champion Tony Dodson) in the rearranged main event at the Derby Storm Arena this Friday. Howard Eastman was due to defend his European middleweight title against Spain's Jorge Sendra in the original top of the bill, but the Battersea man was forced to pull out with a knee injury.
Froch is happy to fill the breach.
"This is where things start to get really interesting," he said when the fight was announced. "This will be a showcase of my skills and a declaration of my intent.
"Being a local, there will be a lot of my fans travelling from Nottingham to watch me. My main goal in Derby is to throw down the gauntlet to anyone who holds a title that I want," he added.
"I am going out to impress."
The unbeaten 26-year-old, 9-0 (7), went eight rounds for the first time in his last fight in October against tricky Russian southpaw Vage Kocharyan, who had previously extended Glenn Catley and Brian Magee over the same distance and held Joe Calzaghe's mandatory WBO title challenger Mger Mkrtchian to a split decision. It was only the second time Froch had been taken the distance in his nine fights to date (durable Paul Bonson taking him the full six in 2002) and, while his languid, hands down style meant he was caught a little too often for comfort, the experience will serve him well for his first title crack as a pro.
"I've done the groundwork in the professional game," says Froch. "Now the time for talking is over, I don’t want to be the hottest prospect in boxing; I want to be a contender.
"I've worked to a dream I've had since I was a kid, and there's no way Page is going to smother it."
His promoter Mick Hennessy is equally confident. "Froch is the complete package," he says, before adding elaborately: "Although both fighters are undefeated and at similar stages of their respective careers, Froch is going to demonstrate his successful transition from world class amateur to world class professional."
Hennessy has struggled to find opponents for the tall, powerful Nottingham prospect nicknamed "Cobra". The Kocharyan fight ended a period of six months inactivity for Froch - and three of his last four opponents have been Eastern Europeans. The one domestic opponent, Nottingham rival Michael Monaghan, was taken apart in three niggly rounds last April - and Monaghan's very next outing saw him nearly beat the once-vaunted Gary Lockett in Wales
So Mancunian Page will have his work cut out, even though he is unbeaten himself since turning pro over three years ago and will be just as buoyed up for this English title crack as his opponent. The 27-year-old from Hyde in Manchester has won all eight of his pro fights, just one less than Froch, and looked sharp and strong under new trainer Steve Alford this year.
"Page is undefeated, and has earned his right to share the ring with Froch," says promoter Hennessy. "He's a classy style fighter. Make no mistake about it - he's coming to win."
Page's manager Steve Wood was more cautious: "To be honest, this fight has come a little too early for Alan and possibly a little too early for Froch," he said.
"But it was a chance we could not turn down.
"I have always held Alan in high regard and now he has the opportunity to really make a name for himself."
The English belt has proved a success in it's recent comeback It gives good pros such as Andrew Facey and Chill John a chance to leapfrog the 'opponent' circuit, and also acts as a learning curve for the young prospects, such as Macklin, Page, Froch and Danny Hunt. Would we have seen a meeting of undefeated boxers as Page and Froch, before the introduction of the English title?
Clearly, the title is seen as a first step on the championship trail for Froch. "Our strategy for Carl is going exactly to plan," continues Hennessy. "Every challenge we have given him, Carl has met and exceeded in remarkable style. I am now looking to line up Carl to fight for the British and Commonwealth titles early next year."
But first things first, and Page won't be a pushover tonight. He has stopped four of his eight victims and has nothing much to lose in this one, given that Froch is expected to win and will have all the pressure. Still, he handled such pressure as an amateur and should come good again after a hard battle. He wins on points.
In the chief support, hometown hero Damon Hague steps up a weight when he takes on Shrewsbury's Roddy Doran in an official WBF title eliminator at super-middleweight (the champion is Robin Reid).
Hague, the current WBF middleweight champion, had been expected to defend that title before the end of the year, but has opted to move up to expand his opportunities. "This fight is about giving me options," explained Hague. "I have no intention of jeopardising what I have already achieved, but the WBF have been very accommodating by allowing me to keep my existing belt whilst sanctioning this an eliminator for the twelve stone title."
The Derby ticket-seller won the middleweight title at the nearby Nottingham Arena in April with a stunning second round stoppage over Wayne Pinder - climbing off the floor in the first round to force two knockdowns a round later and a stoppage with Pinder on decidedly shaky legs after dragging himself up from the second knockdown. "It feels great (to be champion)," said Hague after the fight. "I was a bit shaky in the first round, but I knew I could get him and I had faith in my corner."
Hague had actually looked lucky not to get counted out in the first round. He wasn't badly hurt, but seemed to mistime the moment to jump up and left it very late indeed. He admitted the first round blow caught him by surprise but said he was never in danger of being counted out and was in control of the situation.
What made his win all the more worthy is the fact that Pinder had beaten him for the vacant title just 11 weeks earlier in the seventh round. Wayne outlasted the dangerous, multi-tattooed Hague in that one, but, second time around, was unable to withstand his opponent's big early punches and suffered his first defeat in 21 pro fights.
So the colourful and well-supported Hague showed mettle to settle the score so quickly and decisively - and also avenged his only other loss to Dean Ashton within a matter of weeks. Statistically at least, he boasts a fine record of 22-2-1 (11), the one draw coming in his pro debut against Jimmy Steel (later outpointed by Hague), though Hague has been well-matched by his management and promotional team of the Ingles and Mick Hennessy respectively - but when a fighter sells as many tickets as he does that's probably inevitable.
The unbeaten Doran is also expected to bring a large following from his hometown of Shrewsbury (both men are said to have sold over a thousand tickets each). "Doran will come to win the fight - no doubt about it," says Hague. "He's got an unblemished record and I'm sure he'll come for a fight, so fans can expect a good old dust up." The 31-year-old Doran, 8-0-2 (0), won the vacant Midlands Area super-middleweight title in his hometown earlier this year and has since defended it against Wolverhampton's useful Conroy McIntosh in September. Both wins came on points over 10 rounds.
In terms of activity, he has a big edge over 32-year-old Hague, who hasn't fought since that exciting but brief encounter with Pinder in April and may be rusty. But Hague, a dedicated trainer, says: "I've been in the gym solidly for the last 15 weeks and simply cannot wait to get back in the ring, especially in front of the Derby crowd. It'll be a fantastic reward for all the fans who have supported me and who took the trouble to come over to Nottingham when I won the title."
Doran is a good boxer, which should blend well with the slugging, hard-hitting style of Hague. "I have respect for Roddy as a fighter," continues Hague, "but I'm strong, I'm fit and I believe I've got the strategy to be a more than comfortable winner.
"But I certainly won't underestimate my opponent.
"I was guilty of that the first time I fought Wayne Pinder for the middleweight title and that made the rematch, when I eventually won the belt, the most difficult fight of my career because if I'd lost then it would all have been over for me."
Doran for his part says: "I know Damon's an aggressive fighter and I believe that's going to play straight into my hands.
"Damon's talked about strategies but I believe his style of boxing suits me down to the ground and although I show respect to the man, at the same time I do feel confident."
But Hague's greater natural power - and greater support - should see him home to a mid to late round stoppage win.
Froch is happy to fill the breach.
"This is where things start to get really interesting," he said when the fight was announced. "This will be a showcase of my skills and a declaration of my intent.
"Being a local, there will be a lot of my fans travelling from Nottingham to watch me. My main goal in Derby is to throw down the gauntlet to anyone who holds a title that I want," he added.
"I am going out to impress."
The unbeaten 26-year-old, 9-0 (7), went eight rounds for the first time in his last fight in October against tricky Russian southpaw Vage Kocharyan, who had previously extended Glenn Catley and Brian Magee over the same distance and held Joe Calzaghe's mandatory WBO title challenger Mger Mkrtchian to a split decision. It was only the second time Froch had been taken the distance in his nine fights to date (durable Paul Bonson taking him the full six in 2002) and, while his languid, hands down style meant he was caught a little too often for comfort, the experience will serve him well for his first title crack as a pro.
"I've done the groundwork in the professional game," says Froch. "Now the time for talking is over, I don’t want to be the hottest prospect in boxing; I want to be a contender.
"I've worked to a dream I've had since I was a kid, and there's no way Page is going to smother it."
His promoter Mick Hennessy is equally confident. "Froch is the complete package," he says, before adding elaborately: "Although both fighters are undefeated and at similar stages of their respective careers, Froch is going to demonstrate his successful transition from world class amateur to world class professional."
Hennessy has struggled to find opponents for the tall, powerful Nottingham prospect nicknamed "Cobra". The Kocharyan fight ended a period of six months inactivity for Froch - and three of his last four opponents have been Eastern Europeans. The one domestic opponent, Nottingham rival Michael Monaghan, was taken apart in three niggly rounds last April - and Monaghan's very next outing saw him nearly beat the once-vaunted Gary Lockett in Wales
So Mancunian Page will have his work cut out, even though he is unbeaten himself since turning pro over three years ago and will be just as buoyed up for this English title crack as his opponent. The 27-year-old from Hyde in Manchester has won all eight of his pro fights, just one less than Froch, and looked sharp and strong under new trainer Steve Alford this year.
"Page is undefeated, and has earned his right to share the ring with Froch," says promoter Hennessy. "He's a classy style fighter. Make no mistake about it - he's coming to win."
Page's manager Steve Wood was more cautious: "To be honest, this fight has come a little too early for Alan and possibly a little too early for Froch," he said.
"But it was a chance we could not turn down.
"I have always held Alan in high regard and now he has the opportunity to really make a name for himself."
The English belt has proved a success in it's recent comeback It gives good pros such as Andrew Facey and Chill John a chance to leapfrog the 'opponent' circuit, and also acts as a learning curve for the young prospects, such as Macklin, Page, Froch and Danny Hunt. Would we have seen a meeting of undefeated boxers as Page and Froch, before the introduction of the English title?
Clearly, the title is seen as a first step on the championship trail for Froch. "Our strategy for Carl is going exactly to plan," continues Hennessy. "Every challenge we have given him, Carl has met and exceeded in remarkable style. I am now looking to line up Carl to fight for the British and Commonwealth titles early next year."
But first things first, and Page won't be a pushover tonight. He has stopped four of his eight victims and has nothing much to lose in this one, given that Froch is expected to win and will have all the pressure. Still, he handled such pressure as an amateur and should come good again after a hard battle. He wins on points.
In the chief support, hometown hero Damon Hague steps up a weight when he takes on Shrewsbury's Roddy Doran in an official WBF title eliminator at super-middleweight (the champion is Robin Reid).
Hague, the current WBF middleweight champion, had been expected to defend that title before the end of the year, but has opted to move up to expand his opportunities. "This fight is about giving me options," explained Hague. "I have no intention of jeopardising what I have already achieved, but the WBF have been very accommodating by allowing me to keep my existing belt whilst sanctioning this an eliminator for the twelve stone title."
The Derby ticket-seller won the middleweight title at the nearby Nottingham Arena in April with a stunning second round stoppage over Wayne Pinder - climbing off the floor in the first round to force two knockdowns a round later and a stoppage with Pinder on decidedly shaky legs after dragging himself up from the second knockdown. "It feels great (to be champion)," said Hague after the fight. "I was a bit shaky in the first round, but I knew I could get him and I had faith in my corner."
Hague had actually looked lucky not to get counted out in the first round. He wasn't badly hurt, but seemed to mistime the moment to jump up and left it very late indeed. He admitted the first round blow caught him by surprise but said he was never in danger of being counted out and was in control of the situation.
What made his win all the more worthy is the fact that Pinder had beaten him for the vacant title just 11 weeks earlier in the seventh round. Wayne outlasted the dangerous, multi-tattooed Hague in that one, but, second time around, was unable to withstand his opponent's big early punches and suffered his first defeat in 21 pro fights.
So the colourful and well-supported Hague showed mettle to settle the score so quickly and decisively - and also avenged his only other loss to Dean Ashton within a matter of weeks. Statistically at least, he boasts a fine record of 22-2-1 (11), the one draw coming in his pro debut against Jimmy Steel (later outpointed by Hague), though Hague has been well-matched by his management and promotional team of the Ingles and Mick Hennessy respectively - but when a fighter sells as many tickets as he does that's probably inevitable.
The unbeaten Doran is also expected to bring a large following from his hometown of Shrewsbury (both men are said to have sold over a thousand tickets each). "Doran will come to win the fight - no doubt about it," says Hague. "He's got an unblemished record and I'm sure he'll come for a fight, so fans can expect a good old dust up." The 31-year-old Doran, 8-0-2 (0), won the vacant Midlands Area super-middleweight title in his hometown earlier this year and has since defended it against Wolverhampton's useful Conroy McIntosh in September. Both wins came on points over 10 rounds.
In terms of activity, he has a big edge over 32-year-old Hague, who hasn't fought since that exciting but brief encounter with Pinder in April and may be rusty. But Hague, a dedicated trainer, says: "I've been in the gym solidly for the last 15 weeks and simply cannot wait to get back in the ring, especially in front of the Derby crowd. It'll be a fantastic reward for all the fans who have supported me and who took the trouble to come over to Nottingham when I won the title."
Doran is a good boxer, which should blend well with the slugging, hard-hitting style of Hague. "I have respect for Roddy as a fighter," continues Hague, "but I'm strong, I'm fit and I believe I've got the strategy to be a more than comfortable winner.
"But I certainly won't underestimate my opponent.
"I was guilty of that the first time I fought Wayne Pinder for the middleweight title and that made the rematch, when I eventually won the belt, the most difficult fight of my career because if I'd lost then it would all have been over for me."
Doran for his part says: "I know Damon's an aggressive fighter and I believe that's going to play straight into my hands.
"Damon's talked about strategies but I believe his style of boxing suits me down to the ground and although I show respect to the man, at the same time I do feel confident."
But Hague's greater natural power - and greater support - should see him home to a mid to late round stoppage win.