BoxRec

Undefeated Carl Froch, a household name in his native England, looks to enhance his reputation in America when he defends his World Boxing Council (WBC) super middleweight title against Jermain Taylor, a former undisputed middleweight champ and one of the most highly regarded and recognizable fighters of this generation, in a world championship fight on Saturday, April 25, live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast). Froch (24-0, 19 KOs), of Nottingham, England, will be making the first defense of the vacant 168-pound crown he gained in his last outing with a unanimous 12-round decision over Jean Pascal on Dec. 6, 2008. Taylor (28-2-1, 17 KOs), of Little Rock, Ark., has had a prolific pro career since winning a bronze medal for the United States in the 2000 Olympic Games and is the only boxer to twice defeat future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins. When he outpointed Hopkins the first time, Taylor became 160-pound world champion in the WBC, World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Organization (WBO).

Both fighters took part in a teleconference call with media members on Tuesday. Highlights from the call follow:

Mick Hennessy:

“I believe this to be a genuine super fight. It’s one of the very best fights in world boxing right now. (We have) two fighters a similar age at the absolute peak of their powers. I would like to congratulate both fighters because, in these days, there are a lot of major fights being avoided and both of these fighters have stepped up to the fight.

“I genuinely believe that Carl is the best super middleweight on the planet. I think he’s going to prove that on April 25. One thing Carl brings to the table is he is never, ever in a dull fight. He brings the heat and is relentless.

“I believe Jermain is going to feel heat like he’s never felt before. We’re not coming to America to make up the numbers. We’re coming for Carl to launch himself in a big way and you’re going to see something very special on April 25.”

Lou DiBella:

“I want to thank SHOWTIME. I think Ken Hershman championed the fight and it’s happening because he understood the significance of this fight and how important it was for Jermain to have another shot at a world title. Carl Froch is a worthy champion who has already proven that he can be exciting in the ring. He’s going to try and come over and make sure that everybody in the world knows how to pronounce his name (It’s pronounced Fro-CH, not Fro-CK).”

Carl Froch:

“For me it’s not a big deal coming to America. I boxed in America once before. Traveling for me is not a problem. Obviously, to come and establish myself in the States, this is what I need to do. I need to come to America and showcase my talents on SHOWTIME. That’s the reason I’m coming over here. I want to establish myself on American soil. That’s what this fight is for. I’ll be coming over there and defending my title in style.”

Jermain Taylor:

“I’m looking forward to the fight. I’m just ready to fight.”

Carl on the keys to the fight:

“The key to winning this fight is for me to establish myself early on and let Jermain know that I’m there. I don’t want to take a step backward so it looks like it will be an exciting fight. It really does. But I’ll still do my thing landing the big, heavy shots and I think the usual thing will happen and my opponent will start to fade and fall apart in front of my very eyes. Then I’ll start to showcase my skills even more.”

Jermain on concerns about moving from 160-168?

“I’m not worried about his strength. He’s a strong fighter, so what? I’ll just go in there and box the hell out of him.”

Lou DiBella:

“Jermain Taylor wanted to win the WBC 168-pound title. Carl had it and SHOWTIME loves the fight and was willing to make it one of their premier fights of the year. ”

Froch on if Taylor is his toughest opponent:

“You could say that Jermain Taylor is the biggest fighter I’m going to box until this point. But, how would you define a great fighter? Jean Pascal was 26 years old, hungry and unbeaten. He was a hungry, young talented fighter coming to put it all on the line. He didn’t know what it was like to lose. I’d say that was a big fight for me for the title and a fight that I won convincingly in an exciting matchup.

“It’s easy to say that I haven’t fought anybody. But that’s what boxing is about. Like Mick said earlier, we’ve got two fighters here who are both putting it all on the line. We’re both of a similar age. We’re both on the top of our careers. We’re both fit and hungry. He wants my belt? I don’t want him to take my belt. It’s going to be a fabulous fight. I’ve been in 24 fights, I’m unbeaten, I haven’t been in any trouble. I’m coming to this fight confident that I’m taking my belt home with me. No problems.”

Taylor on Froch’s level of confidence:

“I don’t worry about it. With the opponents he’s fought, of course he’s going to be confident. He doesn’t know how to lose yet and I’m going to teach him.”

Froch concerned that he is the underdog?

“I am surprised because for my whole career I’ve always been a massive favorite. I’ve never been an underdog. Odds don’t mean anything as far as I’m concerned because I’m not a gambling man. But, I’m not surprised. The American media doesn’t necessarily know who Carl Froch is in terms of big-time boxing. This is why I’m going over there with my title to defend against such a top name as Jermain Taylor. Until I do that, then the odds probably won’t be stacked in my favor. I don’t mind being the underdog.”

Froch on if it will be a tough fight:

“There’s no such thing as an easy fight. I’ve been with awkward opponents….I’ve had my fair share of difficult fights. But, honestly, I’ve never been in a hard fight. What I mean is, I’ve never been in a fight where I didn’t feel that I was in control, I wasn’t dominating and didn’t think I was going to win.”

Froch on if he thought Taylor was trying to duck him:

“He’s good fighter. He’s obviously a confident man and he means business. He’s got what they call ‘Bad Intentions.’ He had absolutely no intentions of coming to England and fighting the Cobra, that’s for sure. You can take what you want from that, but I take it as he didn’t fancy to fight. I’m not going to say he didn’t want to fight because he signed up for the fight.”

Taylor on why he took the fight:

“It’s all about being a champion. All these other fights mean nothing until you get these belts back. As far as me going over there…Going over there? For what? I mean who is he? I didn’t even know who he was until now. So I wasn’t going over there. He needs to come over here.”

Froch on his style:

“My style is very rangy, very fast. I’m powerful. I can box out of range and not get hit. I can fight in close and I’m a puncher with the best of them. Styles make fights, well I adapt to my opponents. It’s hard to describe my style except for it’s a winning style. Whatever Jermain Taylor brings, I will be reacting in a positive way for me to win.”

Taylor on Froch’s style:

“He’s rangy. He moves and fights with a lot of strength. I don’t think he’s fast though. He tries to get you on a break. I think he’s too slow. The guy doesn’t know how to lose. So someone has to teach him how to lose. I have to break him down.”

Froch on if the fight will be easy:

“I feel like I will make the fight as easy as I can. I know what to do to give myself an easy night. If Plan A isn’t working then I’ll but Plan B together and it will be destructive, trust me.”

Taylor on impressing the fans:

“I just know that hard work pays off. Those few fights I lost, I not only let myself down, I let my fans down; I let my hometown down. I just want to get these belts back and all of it will be erased. Now, I have a chance to do that and I’m going to take it. I’m Arkansas Razorback until the day I die. I have another chance to come back and be champion. It’s amazing. That’s what I love about boxing because I’m never out of it. Everything I’ve done in the past will be erased. I’m not worried about anything.”

Froch on the problems Jermain presents for him:

“I’m struggling to find major problems. I will say he’s very experienced against top level (opposition). He hasn’t been dominant at the world level. He’s had a couple of split decisions, he’s had a draw. I’m not worried. I’m really not. I’m just looking forward to going out there and doing what I do best. The fitness is there. The strength is there. I just know that I need to come there and put my work together.”

Taylor on Froch’s comment:

“He’s a cocky fighter and I love that because I plan on bringing all that down. He doesn’t know what he’s getting himself into and I’m going to teach him.”

Froch when asked if he could knock Taylor out:

“I’m the bigger, stronger man. Jermain Taylor has not stopped anybody for four years. But don’t get me wrong, he’s a good fighter. He thinks he’s fast, but I don’t know what he thinks his speed is going to do to me. I’ve fought fast fighters.

“I’m not giving him any disrespect or trying to be cheeky. I’m in no way cocky. I’m quite a very level headed man. I’m just very confident and believe in myself.

“Fact of the matter is, he’s fought most of his career at middleweight and I’m a big, strong super middleweight. And that can very well be the deciding factor. When I start connecting with the right hand on the jaw section there will probably be some damage done.”

Taylor on Froch’s size:

“I’m not worried about his power at all. As far as him never being on the floor before, there’s a first time for everything. He gets hit a lot. His defense is his head. He stands right there.”

Taylor on how serious he is taking on Froch:

“At the end of the day, he’s still champion. It doesn’t matter who knows him or who doesn’t. At the end of the day, he’s still got the belt. So, of course, I’m taking it seriously. I haven’t trained this hard in a long time. Those fights he was looking at me getting tired. You know what? Those are the past. Here it is. I got a chance to get those belts back and I’m going to take it. This is the best fight that you’re going to see me fight in my life.

“If he’s bigger, so what? It doesn’t mean anything as long as I’m boxing and moving.”

Taylor on what he respects about Froch:

“I just respect the fact that he has the belts. I think he’s way too cocky and he doesn’t know how to lose. He has to learn how to lose.”

DiBella on why Taylor is taking on Froch:

“When has Jermain Taylor ever fought an easy fighter? I think Jermain has always reached out for a challenge and always wanted to fight someone who meant something to him. He wasn’t familiar with Carl’s name, but I think Jermain agrees with what Carl said earlier in that he views the WBC belt as the biggest prize and that he wanted to get that belt back. That’s why this fight is happening.”

Closing Comments:

Mick Hennessy:

“Winners don’t need to learn how to lose and Carl Froch is certainly not going to learn how to lose on April 25. It’s not in his makeup. Showtime really knows their business and knows there fights because they picked a hell of a one right here.”

Lou DiBella:

“Stylistically, this can’t be a bad fight. This is a Fight of the Year candidate waiting to happen. I’m confident in my fighter and know he is going to get a belt again. This fight is can’t miss and Ken Hershman is going to look like a genius after this fight when Jermain Taylor wins a very hard fought fight over former world champion Carl Froch.”

Carl Froch:

“I want to thank SHOWTIME for coming on board for this fight. I think they’ll be thanking me and Jermain Taylor after the fight because it’s going to be one hell of a fight.”

Jermain Taylor:

“I’m just looking forward to the fight. I’ve been training in Miami hard. I’m training harder than I’ve ever trained before. I’m looking forward to getting these belts back. I’ve been missing them.”


Froch stops him!

I think so too,but he'll have to cos Taylor will be a hard man to outoint

Interesting the media there are making out Taylor to be the smaller man as I actually think he has an inch or two on froch and will also weigh a bit more than Froch on the night.

jameswilson wrote:Interesting the media there are making out Taylor to be the smaller man as I actually think he has an inch or two on froch and will also weigh a bit more than Froch on the night.

Thats interesting. I pressumed Taylor to be smaller in height and weight than Froch, but checking Boxrec, they have Froch standing at 183cm and Taylor at 185cm. Taylor was a pretty big middleweight and the step up should be natural for him so it will be interesting to see what his actual weight will be on fight night.

I am really excited about this fight. I can envision it going many different ways, definately one to watch! I am going for Taylor by KO, be it early or late. Froch fights with his face to often and Taylor has to skills and power to make him pay for that. However, for the first time in Froch's career, i'm going to be rooting for him D I really hope he can do it!

Taylor is made for Froch imo.

Big name

Not a massive puncher

Chin and stamina in doubt.

Froch need to defend better than he has in the past...but I can not se this bveing more difficult than Vs Pascal.

Pascal would beat Taylor!

I think that Taylor woll really struggle with a big Supermiddle because he is to used to having the size advantage apart for against Pavlik..and we know what happened there.

Froch's very first punch will be telling - it will be BAM! This is how you get hit by a large SMW.

Ted wrote:Froch's very first punch will be telling - it will be BAM! This is how you get hit by a large SMW.

If he attacks Taylor the way he did Pascal in the 1st round then Taylor will wet himself.

ALI wrote:

jameswilson wrote:Interesting the media there are making out Taylor to be the smaller man as I actually think he has an inch or two on froch and will also weigh a bit more than Froch on the night.

Thats interesting. I pressumed Taylor to be smaller in height and weight than Froch, but checking Boxrec, they have Froch standing at 183cm and Taylor at 185cm. Taylor was a pretty big middleweight and the step up should be natural for him so it will be interesting to see what his actual weight will be on fight night.

I am really excited about this fight. I can envision it going many different ways, definately one to watch! I am going for Taylor by KO, be it early or late. Froch fights with his face to often and Taylor has to skills and power to make him pay for that. However, for the first time in Froch's career, i'm going to be rooting for him D I really hope he can do it!

Ali I remember you picking Magee to beat Froch as well...that turned out to be not such a bad pick actually as the fight was razor close until the knockout. I think that fight showed Froch can be too over-reliant on his power and whilst loading up is suceptible to being outboxed. I think the key is Froch's jab and workrate. If he uses a solid jab to get in range rather than just using it as a measuring stick for his right-hand, maintains a good work-rate and lets his shots go in combinations as opposed to loading up on single shots he can win the fight. But if he lets Taylor "get off" first and waits too long I feel he will get into a points deficit too large to climb and Taylor with all his experience will hang on for a points win.

The only boxer that could beat froch would be a good box-fighter, with a decent chin.

Kessler would beat him imo

Froch is a beast for anyone but taylor wins this in a blood n guts war.

I think this is a good fight for Froch he can definetly win Taylor will get outworked and lose in the late rounds 9th round ko

Froch is untested, but he has done somehting most British boxers never do, that is actually take a risk.

Taylor robbed a drained Hopkins twice imo, and got beat twice by his first World Class opponent: Pavlik.

How he performed against Pavlik - really does make you think that Froch will have an easy night of it ..

But you cannot overlook how he twice beat Hopkins, Froch is nowhere as skilled as Hopkins is, and I`d doubt he hits as hard either .. against Pascal, I think it highlighted that Froch does not possess real dynamite on the world stage .. and he`s easy to hit

I just worry for Froch incase he has a rude awakening and finds out he does not possess all he thinks he does .. Magee outsped him and gave him a boxing lesson untill Froch landed an excellent uppercut on him .. Taylor is many levels above Magee IMO

DG. wrote:

“You could say that Jermain Taylor is the biggest fighter I’m going to box until this point. But, how would you define a great fighter? Jean Pascal was 26 years old, hungry and unbeaten. He was a hungry, young talented fighter coming to put it all on the line. He didn’t know what it was like to lose. I’d say that was a big fight for me for the title and a fight that I won convincingly in an exciting matchup.

Froch on if it will be a tough fight:

“There’s no such thing as an easy fight. I’ve been with awkward opponents….I’ve had my fair share of difficult fights. But, honestly, I’ve never been in a hard fight. What I mean is, I’ve never been in a fight where I didn’t feel that I was in control, I wasn’t dominating and didn’t think I was going to win.”

Taylor on Froch’s size:

“I’m not worried about his power at all. As far as him never being on the floor before, there’s a first time for everything. He gets hit a lot. His defense is his head. He stands right there.”

First:

I have seen the Pascal fight live. Most of the people on this thread seem to believe Froch dominated Pascal. That was CLEARLY NOT the case. True he deserved the win. No doubt. But the only reasons Pascal looked decent in that fight was because Froch was not as good as the hype makes him look. I mean I have seen Pascal practice, I have seen most of his fights in Canada. Pascal has no future either at middle weight or super middle. He is a very veryy VERY limited fighter. Quoting Pascal as a reference is just not representative of anything. You cannot compare Pascal to any of the fights Jermaine Taylor had, especially the ones against really skilled players like Bernard Hopkins (2x), Kelly Pavlik (2x; even if he lost them, the second time he really looked much better than the first), and even what he leanred from the draw vs Wright. I mean HOW can any of you, may you be British or not, say that Froch's career sheet compares to that of Jermaine???????

Second:

taylor said it best. Froch has no defense. Period.

Third:

Exactly because lacks the eperience against very skilled boxers he will not know how to get out of trouble when he will get over boxed by taylor. He said it himself, he has never been in a fight where he was not in control. We all know that at least 3 or 4 times in a career you will have fights that you need to make your away back in to the dominant position with only like 3 round to go and you better do it or you lose. Froch never faced that. Taylor daced that at least 4 times in his career already.

I can't make my mind up on Froch.

He has ability, and is strong as an Ox, but to me he is a I'll do it my way or not all kind of fighter - Arrogant. I've lost count of the times Mcracken has been pleading with him to go out and work more off his jab, and generally Froch doesn't listen.

He has a lazy left hand, and against domestic opposition he has gotten away with it - A step up to fight Pascal and it was there for all to see, he was getting clobbered with some pretty big shots for most of the night - That style won't change now.

Pascal had little game plan, all he did was wing in haymakers, and the fight was relatively close until Froch did actually start to box a little - I thought Pascal was very limited to be honest.

I remember when I got ridiculed for suggesting that Magee was going to give Froch problems, and sure enough he did - Froch can be made to look silly, and regardless of what we think of Talyor , he is levels above Magee.

I'm really looking forward to this fight, it's refreshing to see a fighter take it to the yanks in their own backyard, and he deserves a lot of credit for it, but if Talyor comes to box and not get involved, I think Froch could be in for a very frustrating night. If Taylor comes in a Pascal frame of mind, he might be in trouble.

All said, I don't see Froch decisioning Taylor, he's too ill disciplined in my opinion, so he has to drag Taylor into a fight where I feel it will favour him.

I can honestly say that i have never understood the hype that goes with Froch,yes his last fight was very exciting,that's because of his complete lack of defence,i think his power is overated and see him getting a sound beating from taylor,who is very accurate and has fast hands.

Twinkle Toes wrote:I can't make my mind up on Froch.

He has ability, and is strong as an Ox, but to me he is a I'll do it my way or not all kind of fighter - Arrogant. I've lost count of the times Mcracken has been pleading with him to go out and work more off his jab, and generally Froch doesn't listen.

He has a lazy left hand, and against domestic opposition he has gotten away with it - A step up to fight Pascal and it was there for all to see, he was getting clobbered with some pretty big shots for most of the night - That style won't change now.

Pascal had little game plan, all he did was wing in haymakers, and the fight was relatively close until Froch did actually start to box a little - I thought Pascal was very limited to be honest.

I remember when I got ridiculed for suggesting that Magee was going to give Froch problems, and sure enough he did - Froch can be made to look silly, and regardless of what we think of Talyor , he is levels above Magee.

I'm really looking forward to this fight, it's refreshing to see a fighter take it to the yanks in their own backyard, and he deserves a lot of credit for it, but if Talyor comes to box and not get involved, I think Froch could be in for a very frustrating night. If Taylor comes in a Pascal frame of mind, he might be in trouble.

All said, I don't see Froch decisioning Taylor, he's too ill disciplined in my opinion, so he has to drag Taylor into a fight where I feel it will favour him.

Guys, you seem to talk about Magee in very disparaging terms. Fact is he has world class skill but a zero class chin. Magee would give any world champ problems - kessler included. The problem is his chin will let him down, and froch knew this throughout their fight.

End of the day, froch was the first AND ONLY person to KO magee. And KTFO at that. Look at Magees record more closely - a bad decision against typsko - and typsko gets world title fights thrown at him.

I have changed my mind on this fight, I originally thought Taylor would win in a close one but now I'm thinking he could give Froch a real beating.

Really hope I'm wrong though.

ALI wrote:

jameswilson wrote:Interesting the media there are making out Taylor to be the smaller man as I actually think he has an inch or two on froch and will also weigh a bit more than Froch on the night.

Thats interesting. I pressumed Taylor to be smaller in height and weight than Froch, but checking Boxrec, they have Froch standing at 183cm and Taylor at 185cm. Taylor was a pretty big middleweight and the step up should be natural for him so it will be interesting to see what his actual weight will be on fight night.

I am really excited about this fight. I can envision it going many different ways, definately one to watch! I am going for Taylor by KO, be it early or late. Froch fights with his face to often and Taylor has to skills and power to make him pay for that. However, for the first time in Froch's career, i'm going to be rooting for him D I really hope he can do it!

Taylor is massive - look at this tale of the tape.
http://www.hbo.com/boxing/events/2006/0 ... index.html

DG. wrote:Taylor is made for Froch imo.

Not a massive puncher

Taylor carries a lot of power, dont be fooled by his low KO ratio. When he lets his hands go he can bang. I am sure he will carry his power up to SM. Put it this way, Froch better not be planning on fighting with his face, because Taylor can be deadly accurate and like a say, he can bang, i am sure we will all be witness to that on fight night.

On balance, i'm 65/35 in favour of Taylor winning this. But Froch's eagerness for this fight to happen (its only his first defence and not exactly called for!!) and his unshakable confidence in victory makes me rate his chances higher.

Great fight, cant wait!

I think people forget that Froch snapped his thumb clean at the base against Magee in only the second round.

We went to the NHS walk in centre in Nottingham on the Saturday morning and it was a mess.

Froch flys to Canada for a spar with Pascal on Saturday.

Then after a week he goes down to America for the final fortnight.

Taylor has a great jab and this could be the key to the fight.

I would love Carl to win, but I have a feeling he will get outboxed.]

Pascal is talented, fit, and skilled, and proved he has a good chin against Froch. He will give any of the Super Middle champs a hard nights work, Kessler included.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:

ALI wrote:

jameswilson wrote:Interesting the media there are making out Taylor to be the smaller man as I actually think he has an inch or two on froch and will also weigh a bit more than Froch on the night.

Thats interesting. I pressumed Taylor to be smaller in height and weight than Froch, but checking Boxrec, they have Froch standing at 183cm and Taylor at 185cm. Taylor was a pretty big middleweight and the step up should be natural for him so it will be interesting to see what his actual weight will be on fight night.

I am really excited about this fight. I can envision it going many different ways, definately one to watch! I am going for Taylor by KO, be it early or late. Froch fights with his face to often and Taylor has to skills and power to make him pay for that. However, for the first time in Froch's career, i'm going to be rooting for him D I really hope he can do it!

Taylor is massive - look at this tale of the tape.
http://www.hbo.com/boxing/events/2006/0 ... index.html

Yes, quite telling. His height is the most surprising thing to me, i think it must be his fighting stance that led me to believe he was under 6'0 foot. As for the rest of his particulars, he was very big at 160 and wqas known to have trouble at the weight.

He has had one fight already at 168 against Lacy, i reckon he will now be well accustomed to the weight and in light of the evidence this thread has thrown up, its looking unlikely that Froch will have much of a weight/stregnth/size advantage. Stamina should be in Froch's favour, but perhaps fighting at 168 will give Taylor that extra bit of energy he needed at 160?

ALI wrote:

Yes, quite telling. His height is the most surprising thing to me, i think it must be his fighting stance that led me to believe he was under 6'0 foot. As for the rest of his particulars, he was very big at 160 and wqas known to have trouble at the weight.

He has had one fight already at 168 against Lacy, i reckon he will now be well accustomed to the weight and in light of the evidence this thread has thrown up, its looking unlikely that Froch will have much of a weight/stregnth/size advantage. Stamina should be in Froch's favour, but perhaps fighting at 168 will give Taylor that extra bit of energy he needed at 160?

Remember that Lacy shoudnt be at SM and is not half the fighter he was.
Lacy would be stopped by Froch and quickly..

Taylor tried to KO Spinks and Ouma and he couldn't.. Even Zab knocked out Spinks..

Froch by KO - maybe between 8 and 10 now I think about it

Ted wrote:
Guys, you seem to talk about Magee in very disparaging terms. Fact is he has world class skill but a zero class chin. Magee would give any world champ problems - kessler included. The problem is his chin will let him down, and froch knew this throughout their fight.

Not really Ted, like I said, I thought Magee would trouble Froch, and so he did. The people saying it was going to be a white wash are the ones who where disparaging towards Magee.

I didn't see the Typsko fight, but people say it was close - I did however see a worn out Reid have Magee all over the shop and down four times, and I also saw face first brawler Toney Oakey decision Magee.

You can't just single out Typsko and ignore the facts of other fights.

Froch is an enigma, you either believe in the guy or you have reservations - I fall into the later camp.