Carl Froch vs Gerald McClellan at SMW

Tough one to call. Froch's chin was world class, but never faced fire power as heavy as McClellan's...But at the same time, McClellan's blunt force trauma punching power never met a chin as durable and sturdy as Froch's, nor any fighter as well conditioned for twelve hard rounds.

McClellan only ever had one stoppage or knockout past the third round, and even then it only took until the fifth (Jackson, first fight). In every fight he ever had which went past five, he either had to settle for a points win, lost on points himself or, in the case of the Benn fight, got stopped - albeit obviously with mitigating factors in that case. Aside from the Dirrell fight, I can't think of a single fight in Froch's career where he didn't look the stronger, fitter man in the last three rounds. Even Ward, though he outclassed Froch and was never in any danger, was having to buy himself breathers and was looking to tie Froch up in rounds 11 and 12. If Froch survived the early onslaught you'd have to fancy his chances once the fight gets to six or seven rounds...But it's going to be a hard onslaught to survive, particularly as Froch almost always gave his opponent plenty of free shots early on.

Simply because of his championship pedigree at the higher weight and greater body of work, I'll tentatively go with Froch to withstand a lot of punishment and find a way to drag McClellan in to deep waters, drowning him in the late rounds of an absolute war. But not a fight I'd pick with any real certainty.

 

I see it the same way. Good analysis!

 

I cant go with Froch here. I just cant eliminate the image of Taylor and Groves (neither big punchers) dropping Froch hard with right hands.

As long as this fight has a non-corrupt ref (which wasnt the case in McClellan-Benn) then I see Gerald stopping Froch inside of 6.

It doesnt matter that Froch is more accomplished at the weight. McClellan is just all wrong for him.

 

Why isn't Groves a big puncher? His entire career reputation is as puncher.

 

I think Froch is a bit overrated. I’m not sure he’d be able to stand up to McClellan’s bombs being as hittable as he was. It would be a fun fight but I feel Gerald was better.

 

McClellan by stoppage, Froch is just too hittable.

 

Groves was a fair puncher but not on the same level as McClellan.

 

Of course, but Groves could definitely punch, himself. The notion that he can't is wrong, as is that Froch has a bad chin, which Xplosive implied.

 

We have different definitions of puncher then.

Groves has solid right hand power, but he's far from a KO artist.

But even if I gave you Groves, that still leaves Taylor who dropped Froch hard.

 

Didn't imply that at all. Froch had a solid chin. I do feel it's overrated though. A lot of his groupies call him granite chinned, which he was not.

He hung his chin out in the air far too often for a guy like G-man.

 

Sure, but you're hand picking the two worst moments of his career. He got straight up from Taylor, and wasn't particularly hurt. Groves, in my opinion, is a thorough-bred puncher, and it was in his penultimate fight.

He took punches from Kessler, Pascal, Bute and Groves himself, and was virtually fine.

Sure, fairdo's. I'm not saying his chin is certified granite, I don't think he'd take Roy's power, or McClellan's.

When you pick out his KD from Taylor, it's like you're implying he can't take anyone who's power is better than that. Or that it's embarrassing or something. That's how I read it, anyway.

Anyway, I pick McClellan to KO him. Hell I'd pick a MW McClellan to KO Froch; he's that bad for him. I just think you're underrating Froch's chin.

 

Taylor and Groves are both faster than McClellan. Groves especially is far more accurate too.

Anyway I think the story of the fight is very obvious. Froch survives the early storm from McClellan then the tables flip and McClellan can't survive the late storm from Froch

 

If Groves can put him down surely McClennan must finish him off

 

So 2 vs 1?