But in all seriousness, despite Ward making a mistake with Bute, I never personally rated Bute highly, always thought he was grossly overrated, and I picked Froch to stop Bute inside the distance (although not so quickly and dominantly as he did). Bute was the only legit fight he actually did turn down as far as I'm aware. As for the Froch and Kessler rematches, I would have loved to have seen either or, and still might, but I'm not at all convinced that Kessler or Froch actually want or ever really wanted a second go at Ward. At the very least, neither of them was especially vocal about such a rematch, and neither of them seemed to seriously pursue that route based on the available information I'm aware of. Froch has stated repeatedly, from the weeks following his loss to Ward, following his upset stoppage of Bute, and all along the way, that he wasn't really interested in an Andre rematch for a variety of different reasons - no money, he's boring, he's a spoiler, etc.
He's always hated him with a vengeance despite the fact that Bute is one of the sports true gents. I remember when Bute was a guest on his radio show and did the whole interview in English even though it was a struggle for him to do so. He was so polite and friendly but sure enough Rummy was back to sticking needles in his Bute effigy afterwards. lol
Is Kessler even really at an elite level anymore ? Ok but Froch wanted that in Nottingham ..That was never going to happen.
that's not quite accurate rummy, initially froch was clear about avenging his defeats, and his attitude changed over time as ward's profile stuttered. certainly that's what was coming through the uk press. while you have your serious hat on, here's a question for you. had ward continued to build his career and become a ppv draw, do you believe a rematch would still not have happened? agree on bute, by the way, although because of styles, ward wouldn't take him out as convincingly and easily as froch did.
are rodriguez and smith elite? no, froch as ward's comeback fight was never gonna happen. purse bids mysteriously disappearing and paul smith at a catchweight tell you all you need to know.
it wasn't gonna happen full stop. actions speak louder than words, ward was negotiating with smith while saying no to froch.
Froch is a joke "I can't get motivated" what a mug and a wimp he just sits there all day with his mind stuck in a time loop of 80'000 Wembley George groves 1 punch
doesn't change the fact that froch made the offer, ward turned it down. he's old, man, he can't hang on forever waiting for ward to stop twiddling his thumbs. froch hasn't wasted the last 4 years.
They were waiting for a purse bid and that's exactly how boxing works when 2 fighters can't make it happen themselves. Even after Ward setup the BET and fight in Oakland with Sturm and Chudinov fighting for Reg title Frochs team said they were waiting for purse bids to start they had no damn idea they just got screwed. The whole time they were supposed to negotiate Ward was trying to make deals with HBO for a fight ,2-3 fights fell through. That's ridiculous and THATS TELLING.