I rewatched the Jermain Taylor fight again today and I think it's a good analogy of Froch's career as a whole, in terms of the entertainment, the ups and downs and ultimately, the reaction to it. As for the fight itself, it was an amazing bout and both men but in a really good performance. Taylor's speed seemed to bother Froch at first and he dropped Froch for the first time in his career. The fight started to turn in the second third of the fight and by the final third, Froch was in control, which was leading to only one question - Could Taylor escape with a win? In the end, Froch caught him and steadily battered Taylor in the 12th, showing terrific heart and stamina, and earning a decisive knockout. Sadly, that's not been the opinion of everyone... People say Froch was "lucky" but that's nonsense. Froch was landing power shots to the body as early as the first round, including a vicious right hook to the body around the 1:00 mark of the first but the main reason Taylor slowed down was the constant stream of pressure that Froch applied. Yeah, you can say Taylor slows down late but only if you pressure him properly and that's what Froch did. Froch wasn't lucky. That was hias plan and it worked. He did everything that they wanted him to do, so it shouldn't have been a surprise that Taylor slowed down and it certaintly wasn't luck. He deserved that stoppage. Though after the fight, Jim Grey asked Froch whether the referee should have stopped the fight, and he rightly said "yes", he then asked Taylor who said "I don't know" and then asked referee Mike Ortega - Why was this ever an issue? Taylor was out on his feet and sure you can say it's only 14 seconds but 14 seconds in our world is different to 14 seconds at the end of a tough fight, when you're out of your feet and in the ring with a hard puncher who has the wind in his sails. Complete discredit to Froch to even consider question whether it was a premature stoppage. I remember what people were like on ESB after the fight. Despite it being a terrific bout and an epic comeback, fans weren't focusing on that, but instead it was "Taylor was tired again" or "Taylor was outboxing him" or even "Taylor is done" - What about Froch? To get knocked down for the first time in his life, be behind on the cards and slowly crawl his way back into the fight before stopping his man? That deserves huge credit, which is something he didn't recieve. I don't think any fighter in the world could put in that calibre of performance and get as little respect as Froch got. Had that been Andre Ward or someone else like that, fans would still be talking about it as a great fight and even greater performance. That's what will sum up Froch's career. He turns up, looks awkward at times but ultimately beats a good opponent and fans and media alike still don't give him due credit. What Froch did that night was special and it epitomizes his career: A few setbacks but eventually overcoming those problems and, most importantly, winning, although not recieving a whole lot of credit for it. As a fighter, I still believe he is very underrated. People who dislike him love to focus on his fight against Dirrell but if he could have lost that, he could have been awarded the fight against Kessler. These things work themselves out in the end - Sometimes a fighter gets the nod, sometimes he doesn't. That's just boxing. However, because of his unorthodox style, I don't think he gets enough credit for what he has done. He's fought Taylor, Abraham, Dirrell, Kessler and Pascal, all the time proving he's world class. He's not slow, like some think, he's got an iron chin, he's a technically good but awkward fighter, he has heavy hands - Most importantly for me as a fan, he's a warrior through and through. I hope that one day, fans look at his career and give him the respect he deserves. He really is a true warrior and we should be thankful for a world level fighter who is willing to step in the ring with anyone and fight with everything he has. If every young boxer followed his example, boxing would be a much better sport.
The thread is slightly confusing to begin with. Talking about a fight? With who? Oh right Taylor... I agree with most points, he's a great 168lb and I like him all the more since his schooling at the hands of kessler. He gives everyone today 168-175 a hard hard night!
Yeah, sorry, I meant to include it in the title. I don't think he got schooled by Kessler at all though. It was a close fight which could easily have gone either way. Had Froch been more aggressive, he'd have won, I think.
good post. yeah froch is under rated,and under appreciated,especially here in the UK,which is a shame,the networks need to pull thier fingers out,the people are missing out on atrue warrior paving his own legacy in style. He did struggle v taylor,it was an learnin curve to adjust to the faster and more techincal style hede not faced before,but his iron chin,straight punches and power saw him dig deep and win in a fantastic fight. He was the aggressor in dirrell fight,dirrell dont win nothing by literally running and clinching all night!. v kessler,it was close,i thought froch atleast deserved a draw. he wasnt at his best going into the fight,the ash cloud b/s and travelling /training camp troubles,and injuries didnt have him at his best vs kessler,im sure a fully fit and well trained froch knocks kessler out tbh. V abraham he did best yet,he used his brain,boxed smart to a strict game plan,used his best tools-the jab,the long straight punches ,the power to keep abraham at range. that perfomance shocked a lot of people,but when he said he was going to box smart i beleived him. Now im fully convinced he has all the tools needed to get past a tough johnson and then dominate ward should ward escape abraham. see froch had the power to stop abraham jumping in,does ward??,can ward not clinch and stay at range??. Froch will outbox johnson,showing tough chin and power,also using improved movement and jabbing the body and head to control the action and wear johnson down. I dont see anyone out there that Froch cant beat due to his power,chin and long straight punches with great stamina in him.
It was a good fight and I think Taylor was ahead on the cards but Froch KOd him and thus won the fight, you need heart and fortitude to pull that off and Froch has got plenty of that. The term schooled is used way too much on this forum, he didn't get schooled by Kessler but I think it was a pretty clear victory for Kessler, no robbery etc. One last note Froch will beat Ward in the final, quote me on that next year when the fight happens!
Did you see Kesslers face at the end of the fight ? Lets be honest now,Kessler didnt school anyone. That was a close fight that Froch couldve easily been given the decision. That fight couldve went to either fighter.
Schooled is a bit too much. But just like froch won that fight vs Taylor with vicious body shots. Kessler with that straight right hand to the body which was landing all night took the wind out of froches sails that night. Froch knew when the bell sounded he lost... And before we get ppl saying did u see kesslers face... The cut was caused by a clash of heads not a punch... Kessler clear winner.
Who says he was lucky against Taylor? Nobody does, not that I can recall, unless it was MichiganWarrior, who is an insecure poverty-stricken boy from Michigan.
In the Taylor fight Froch hung in there and kept trying to win under circumstances that would have made a lot of fighters give up mentally and take the loss.
I think people more talk about Jermain because that fight was more telling of his career at that point than Carl's career. It proved that Froch wasn't just a European talent and it showed his grit and determination, but it more showed Taylor's inability do what's needed to be a champion at that level. Honestly, I think he would have survived that onslaught if it was around the time of the Winky fight. All that said, WONDERFUL FIGHT! Taylor showed good boxing skills and good ability, but he succumbed to the pressure of Froch and got beat fair and square. (no luck about it) Froch showed what it means to be a true champion. I think it was possibly his greatest and most memorable performance. He showed everything champions are made of that night.
Frochs mentality and mental strength puts him where he is today He has B level skills but a Champions heart, thats all you need sometimes to be remembered as a great fighter
I hate the guy but he cant be taken lightly, hard fight for anyone in the division. But he's ****in ugly to watch and can't stand him when he talk, he's so full of ****. Taylor was not himself at 168 as AA and lost to the worst Kessler ever. Hope to see him vs Ward, this will be a real good test for both. Pascal is his best win so far.