BoxRec

Froch to Dodson – don’t make it five feathers

Whilst talking about standout British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion Carl Froch last week, Tony Dodson said: ‘I just want to get him in the ring.’

This is despite the fact that approximately 48 hours previously he had turned down the opportunity to fight his rival on February 17th in a domestic blockbuster that would have been over 12 rounds, despite the fact that no title would be on the line given Froch’s mandatory commitments.

“Dodson talks so much shit that no-one listens to what he says anymore,” said Froch.

“He likes to act big and walk around telling people that he wants to fight me because I have been slagging him off, even though I hardly ever mention his name as he’s not worth it, but when it comes down to it he is nothing but a bottle job.

“Everybody knows that, even his fellow scousers. That’s why he walks around Liverpool with his head down.

“Nothing he says holds any water. That’s why I am not going to dignify his ridiculous comments with a response other than this:

“February 17th Dodson, that’s the date, you know where I am.

“I want to win my Lonsdale belt outright, but I will fight you with nothing on the line because that’s what I’m about. If you want your chance and really think you can beat me, it won’t bother you if it’s for a Championship or not.

“The British title is fantastic, but you can gain more than that by fighting me. I am a marquee fighter ranked #7 in the world by the WBC, whereas everyone thinks you are a joke.

“You have pulled out on me three times and now turned down the opportunity to fight me on around six and a half weeks notice.

“Given your rant I’m giving you the opportunity again to fight me on the 17th February.

“You have avoided me four times with bullshit excuses, don’t make it five.”

Dodson is worth nothing to Froch other than as a tune up or a means of getting closer to winning the Lonsdale outright, other than that Froch should be aiming higher. Let's hope he doesn't stagnate like Eastman and Witter and keeps moving towards a title shot.

Do you think Froch says these things to sell tickets or does he really mean it?

topper123 wrote:Do you think Froch says these things to sell tickets or does he really mean it?

He means it I’d say – and to be honest, I agree with what he says about Dodson. How many times have these two been in line to meet, only for Dodson to have to pull out…

To be fair to Dodson they where all genuine injuries which caused the pull outs. One being a car accident. Tony has had alot of bad luck. Hopefully he will come back to the forum and let us know his plans.

Neri1983 wrote:To be fair to Dodson they where all genuine injuries which caused the pull outs. One being a car accident. Tony has had alot of bad luck. Hopefully he will come back to the forum and let us know his plans.

Well, his plans should be to fight Froch on Feb 17th if he's going to call him out.

Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:

Neri1983 wrote:To be fair to Dodson they where all genuine injuries which caused the pull outs. One being a car accident. Tony has had alot of bad luck. Hopefully he will come back to the forum and let us know his plans.

Well, his plans should be to fight Froch on Feb 17th if he's going to call him out.

I agree and hope so.

Title or no title, if Dodson is going to call Froch out, then there's the date. A win over Froch would easily be the biggest of his career and would probably give him a world ranking to boot.

Froch has his detractors, and he has his flaws, but you cannot fault him on desire, work ethic or willingness to back up his admittedly huge mouth. So far, I think Froch has stepped up well each time the bar has been raised, and whilst I have misgivings about how well he will do at elite level if and when he gets there, I enjoy watching him fight and find his soundbytes pretty amusing.

I hope Froch at least gets the chance to back his bold claims up at world level, win or lose he'll make a decent show of it.

It's a win-win situ for Froch and frankly he can afford to talk to Dodson however he likes. He is the higher ranked fighter and Dodson has turned him down a few times. Froch really doesn't care if he never fights Dodson, he's just saying that he will if Dodson wants it and he'll beat Dodson.

I think it will be a good fight, Dodson is a solid pro and usually willing to fight anyone. He is skilled enough to give froch as hard a time as he has had with anyone save maybe Adamu, Porres and Barny.

It may be that he still wants a couple more come back fights befor froch to give himself the best chance but to call a guy out and not fight isn't good form.

Also will probably get a bit of cash for the match up aswell. Just checked and there are no other cards in the UK on that friday and sky might want someone to put on a show.

I wish the best of luck to Dodson but I really don't think he would have much of a chance against Froch, not at the moment anyway. If he has been mouthing off about him, he should take Froch up on his offer or else shut up and stay quiet until he's ready to back up his words.

anyone got a link to where he actualy said that? just interested :-)

Froch acts like he is the next Salvador Sanchez or something, to me he is just a gobby wannabe and an average British fighter!

I actually think Froch is better than a lot of people in here give him credit for.

Dodson rattles the 'Cobra'







(Press Release) Tony Dodson has offered British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion Carl Froch a winner takes all fight in 2006. In a statement earlier this week Dodson called out the Nottingham stylist for a showdown before the summer.

25-year-old Dodson accepts that Froch is due to defend his belts against Belfast's Brian Magee in March, but says he's willing to travel after that and put everything on the line against the hard hitting 'Cobra'.

"Carl Froch is a cheeky prick and I can't wait for the day I get to stand over him, knocked out cold on the canvas," blasted Dodson.

"I'll put my side of the purse up against his to make this fight happen. I just want to get him in the ring."

"He's a coward. All show and no balls. I don't think of him as a real man.

"A real man respects his peers. A real man conducts himself in the proper manner and doesn't go shouting his mouth off when his opponents are down."

Dodson explained : "I've been to hell and back over the past two years, what with the car accident and other personal problems, and to make it worse, I've had to put up with that arsehole giving me stick constantly on TV, in magazines and on-line.

"I've spent almost two years biting my tongue because I'm a man and I don't go shooting my mouth off without being able to back it up.

"As long as I can walk down the street with my head held high then I'm happy, but thanks to him all I get is people asking me, 'when are you going to shut up Carl Froch?'. So let's get it on. Winner takes all.

"All I'll do is pay my manager and trainers, then the rest I'll put on the line to get him in the opposite corner ? Because I know I'd knock him clean out."

Dodson captured the Lonsdale Belt when halting then unbeaten Allan Foster in Belfast in November 2003, but a subsequent car accident left the 'Warrior' bedridden with a fractured back.

It's been a long road back to the top for the gritty super-middle, but he finally returned to the ring at the end of 2005, registering a whitewash victory over old foe Varuzhan Davtyan in September before halting Hungarian Szabolcs Rimovszky in two rounds at the Liverpool Olympia in November.

Dodson added: "I worked hard to win that Lonsdale Belt. I had to beat a string of unbeaten fighters and learnt this game the hard way after turning pro too young after just a junior amateur career.

"I've never run away from a fight in my life. I was brought up the right way, have respect for opponents and would never abuse a man when he is down. That's what cowards do.

"As for Carl Froch he's shown himself to be exactly what he is. A Cobra? Don't make me laugh, he's nothing but a snake with no respect for himself or others.

"You're the thorn in my side Froch, but I know I'm the thorn in yours too that's why you always talk about me. You never beat the champion for the Lonsdale Belt. You won the title by default.

"I had my mouth closed when I was out injured but now am back and I'm going to say it how it is.

"If, and I mean if, you're man enough to face Brian Magee, and if, and this is an even bigger if, you manage to beat Brian Magee I'll be waiting. In fact even if Magee beats you up I'll still be waiting because after the way you've been disrespecting me you don't deserve to be able to slide out of the back door.

"You're a punk, a pretender to the British title and you'll get carried out of the ring if you're man enough to step in it."

From secondsout.com

Jeeesus he sounds pissed, if he is that keen then why did he turn the fight down? You get the feeling one of them isnt being strate

I think Dodson sounds like a bitter guy who doesn’t really have much of a career left, and is determined to try and resurrect it by constantly linking himself with Froch.

Froch would be too good for him, I’ve little doubt.

This is hard cos I was a huge fan Of Naz and his confidence - but I can't get my head round Froch - good fighter yes but not as good as he thinks he is

I think Calzaghe would spark him if they met

Wrists wrote:This is hard cos I was a huge fan Of Naz and his confidence - but I can't get my head round Froch - good fighter yes but not as good as he thinks he is

I think Calzaghe would spark him if they met

Its hard to say though isn’t it. Froch hasn’t reached his peak yet, whereas Calzaghe has. If they met in 12 months time, I would probably favour Froch. If they fought now, Calzaghe would likely be too big a step up.

Hard fight to call.

Froch could be good (British/European level) or extremely good (World level) …it’s just a case of “stay tuned…”

Dodson isn't interested unless the British belt is on the line by the looks of things. Wants Froch after he's fought Magee.

Seems a little too demanding to me, he has a shot at fighting a world ranked fighter and the way his career has been going these last couple of years he should grab it with both hands, British title on line or not

No disrepect to Dodson, but he's not up to the task of beating Froch. The two are miles apart. However, he should let Carl take care of Magee and if Froch come through with no injuries he can hopefully make a swift final defence of his Londsdale belt to bag it for keeps.

In the meantime Dodson can continue to gather more experience, perhaps get a in decent eight or ten rounder and back in contention for Carl's final defence.....in theory.

I think Froch would have a bit too much for Dodson, but would like to see the fight all the same. If Dodson turned up and put in a career performance and Froch had an off night it could be interesting.

However, I think Froch is a tool, "I am a marquee fighter..." - come on! what a fornicating laugh!

Also the comments regarding other sportsmen eg Beckham etc he made a while ago were disrespectful and tasteless. Really he's done nothing to make him half as good as he thinks he is.

When figters have that much to say about one another you know the fight is going to be good though.

I think froch will fight dodson after maggee but I recon Dodson wanted to wate untill he has had a couple more too. Maggee's promoter should put dodson on the undercard that aught to rile froch a bit for the fight.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Title or no title, if Dodson is going to call Froch out, then there's the date. A win over Froch would easily be the biggest of his career and would probably give him a world ranking to boot.

Froch has his detractors, and he has his flaws, but you cannot fault him on desire, work ethic or willingness to back up his admittedly huge mouth. So far, I think Froch has stepped up well each time the bar has been raised, and whilst I have misgivings about how well he will do at elite level if and when he gets there, I enjoy watching him fight and find his soundbytes pretty amusing.

I hope Froch at least gets the chance to back his bold claims up at world level, win or lose he'll make a decent show of it.

I agree with these comments, i worry about Froch's lack of defence still, so far he has been able to walk his men down but when he rises in class he will not find it so easy. However despite his huge gob he does back up his mouth, he calls people out and i get the genuine impression he will fight them if the chance arises...it's not all hot air with no substance.