BoxRec

Froch: ‘Evans Above!

British and Commonwealth super middleweight king Carl Froch has criticised the choice of little known 35-year-old Kenyan Evans Ashira as the challenger for Joe Calzaghe’s WBO super middleweight title this Saturday.

“I cannot understand why Joe is fighting an opponent of this calibre,” said the 28-year-old Froch, 16-0 (12), who will be returning to the ring in November.

“If you ask me Evans Ashira is nothing but an overrated middleweight.”

“The last I saw of him he was getting knocked out in two rounds by Maselino Masoe in the weight division below Calzaghe.

“How come he gets to fight for a world title at 12 stone? I notice that like me Ashira appeared in the latest WBO super middleweight rankings. He is 10th, whilst I am 11th.

“What on earth has Ashira done to earn that position? He’s not fought one single name at super middleweight.

“In my opinion this fight is an absolute mismatch and I don’t think it is worthy of prime time TV exposure.”

“People have been saying that this is a warm-up fight for Calzaghe for IBF champion Lacy in November, but that is no excuse.

“Is that fight even made yet? And besides, there is a world title on the line on Saturday night. In my opinion the opponent should reflect that.”

Froch continued: “Another thing I want to know is how Calzaghe has had the gall to slate Ricky Hatton over the last couple of days when he is going into a fight like this?

“Particularly given what Hatton has just done to Kostya Tszyu. Why pick on him?

“Calzaghe knows Hatton can’t answer him in the ring; he is several weight divisions below him.

“He should pick on me instead, but I suspect that wont happen.

“The one thing I know about Calzaghe is that he can tell a marquee fighter when he sees one. He knows how dangerous I am.

“Perhaps he recognises what I do – that I will end his career. I wont just beat him. I will smoke his boots, I will leave him flat on his back.”

The Cobra’s frustrations are compounded by the fact that Calzaghe and his team have publicly previously talked down his credentials as an opponent, but are prepared to accept Ashira.

“In the past it has been said that I need to earn my shot at Joe by establishing myself on the world scene,” he added.

“Those arguments didn’t hold any water at the time and they certainly don’t now that he is fighting Ashira.

“Anybody can see that I am a far more worthy challenger than him.

“I hold the British and Commonwealth titles. I am a proven championship contender at the weight.

“I am ranked by the WBC, WBA and WBO and have even been to America and beaten a top class operator in style.”

In addition to his achievements, Froch also believes that his profile makes him a suitable contender.

“A fight between Calzaghe and I would mean something,” he said.

“Unlike for most of the 16 challengers for his title to date, there would be huge interest in him fighting me. Not only am I British, but I also bring a lot to the table.

“Even though I have only had 16 fights I am already selling as many, if not more, tickets than Calzaghe – and he has had 39 fights and is a world champion. Can you just imagine the venues I will be selling out when I’m the world champion?

“So you tell me who’s got that sprinkling of magic dust?”

Is that the first time Froch has recognised Calzaghes strap as a "world title" ; dosent he usualy (and rightly so) bang on about the "big three"

Froch is starting to grow on me. He's always good value with his quotes. Still don't think he's anything special as a fighter, mind. Not fighting the way he does, anyway.

states wrote:Froch is starting to grow on me. He's always good value with his quotes. Still don't think he's anything special as a fighter, mind. Not fighting the way he does, anyway.

I do wonder what will happen if and when a big puncher gets past Froch's defence.

I think that Calzaghe will probably retire before getting in the ring with Froch though.

Froch makes a good point, Calzaghe and his camp are quick to dismiss guys who they think arent worthy of a shot but then happy to defend against guys that are worse.

That seems to be the thing with Froch at the moment, he seems to be getting a bigger fanbase and is actually starting to make a few people believe he can beat Calzaghe now. Not from his fights but from statements like this. Well done the Hennesey PR machine

There was not a lot wrong with his win over Barney, it was even a half decent spectacle. I just don't know if Froch has enough attacking ability to do well in world class company. He tries to be too loose, too conservative, which is okay if you land when you do open up, but he's not always on target enough for a "cobra".

I believe he'll unexpectedly drop a clear decision in the not too distant future.

Kilburn wrote:There was not a lot wrong with his win over Barney, it was even a half decent spectacle. I just don't know if Froch has enough attacking ability to do well in world class company. He tries to be too loose, too conservative, which is okay if you land when you do open up, but he's not always on target enough for a "cobra".

I believe he'll unexpectedly drop a clear decision in the not too distant future.

I agree with what you are saying, his style doesn't really suit him. He's still good but I don't think he has the accuracy or the reflexes for this languid style of his.

Look like he was just trying to bang out Barney and Barney just being awkaward.

Barney awkward? Never. ;) :P

I've said it all along i quite like Froch, he's a big mouthed bugger and borders on arrogant but he makes good points, why does Calzaghe and his team dismiss Froch and take on a group of unworthies instead? If Froch is such a rollover why doesn't Calzaghe take up the challenge and beat him?

Froch might be a pain in the arse but he wants genuine challenges and wants to fight Calzaghe, in a world of people avoiding each other this is a refreshing attitide and we need people like Froch to make the big fights happen.

SN really like the 35+ brigade don't they! bless em! no one could accuse FW of being ageist!!!.

steve689 wrote:I've said it all along i quite like Froch, he's a big mouthed bugger and borders on arrogant but he makes good points, why does Calzaghe and his team dismiss Froch and take on a group of unworthies instead? If Froch is such a rollover why doesn't Calzaghe take up the challenge and beat him?

Froch might be a pain in the arse but he wants genuine challenges and wants to fight Calzaghe, in a world of people avoiding each other this is a refreshing attitide and we need people like Froch to make the big fights happen.

I've got to agree with just about everything said here apart from the arrogant comment. My personal opinion is that there is a big difference between arrogance and confidence. I think Froch is a confident fighter with a lot of ability and is willing to back up what he says in the ring. Where Joe Calzaghe comes across as arrogant, likes to talk about how he's the best in the world and then fights nobodies and, whether consciously or not, I think the boxing fans can pick up on this which is why Froch is gaining fans hand over fist while Calzaghe, the longest reigning current world champion, needs Amir Khan to help sell tickets in his hometown.

I added in the arrogant part after his rather ill advised "I am the best sportsman in Britain" claim but apart from that i quite like the guy, he has balls and isn't afraid to put himself on the line.

Carl Froch says

“In the past it has been said that I need to earn my shot at Joe by establishing myself on the world scene,”

“Those arguments didn’t hold any water at the time and they certainly don’t now that he is fighting Ashira".

Fair point.

Froch has been making a lot of noise this year and thanks to the Hennessey PR machine we have heard every word. Good luck to him. I agree with everything he's said about Calzaghe because fundamentally it's true.