I really wouldn't call Pascal "elite". Losing to Froch, when both were fairly unproven supermiddle's, and moving up to beat a fairly unproven LH in Diaconu, doesn't mean he's "elite". His win over Taylor, whilst impressive and deserving of respect, is not exactly the greatest win of all time. He was largely outboxed for the fight. He has a never say die attitude in the ring and has a big punch, but he's a long way from being some unstoppable beast.
Disagree about AA, otherwise good post. The thing with Froch that so many observers, including lou Dibella, overlook, is that his weakness ie poor defence,slow for the weight,and occasional low workrate are more than compensated by his punching power, excellent chin,awkward style,huge reach, toughness, and above all a supreme CONFIDENCE that he will win in the end. The facts are that he is VERY difficult to beat
Kessler has beaten the better opposition at supermiddle weight than Froch, He has the better resume! Pascals far from "elite" :rofl and wasn't a champion at the time and Robin Ried was shot to **** when Froch beat him. I wouldn't even go as far as to say he's the hardest puncher in the tournament.
So you think Andrade has a better resume than Taylor,who has beaten Hopkins twice?atsch No, Pascal wasn't a champion when he fought Froch, but he has since become WBC champ at Light Heavy and defended once
What's Hopkins got to do with anything? styles make fights, Taylor beat him. Did Froch beat Hopkins? Plus that's when Taylor gave a **** fought at his prime weight and wouldn't throw a fight away after boxing his opponents ears off for 11rounds.
People aren't still trying to float this **** are they? I mean, I'm presuming you didn't see the fight, but that's hardly an excuse...
Froch does not have that kind of power. Stop acting like he's joe frazier because he stopped a gassed Taylor at the last minute. atsch
Froch has more than enough power to worry a guy whose been down early to journeymen. And he is a composed and deadly finisher when he has his man hurt. Dirrell fights walking backwards even against low class opposition, falls back into the ropes, doesn't have great defence and has a tendency to look to trade when tagged. It's hardly outrageous to conceive that an early stoppage is one of the possible outcomes.
That was 3 years ago. Dirrells improved massively since then. Froch is too slow to land that sort of clean hard blow on Dirrell. Picture the first 6 rounds against Taylor, but in this case, the whole fight. So does Floyd Mayweather and numerous other pure boxers. If Froch had the footwork, speed and boxing ability he'd be able to fight off the back foot with a great jab too. Instead he still doesnt know how to throw a jab without leaving his chin expose massively in the air. His ability to fight while in danger is a plus not a minus. I rarely see him falling against the ropes, and tahts only when rushed by his opponent, which if you know anything about Froch is not his game. He didnt do it against Pascal or Taylor until he thought he had them hurt. As for not having a great defense, its loads better then Froch. He has a tendancy to keep his hands low like Ali used to do when backing up, but thats my only real main concern about this fight him getting caught backing up. But in terms of outboxing Froch over 12 rounds. It will happen. The only fighters Froch been able to stop early were journeymen. Against both Taylor and Pascal he was forced to go 12 rounds. He doesnt have that sort of power aginst top comp.