I never really got on the froch train...not sure why cause hes the type of fighter I usually would of as well. Loved hatton just couldn't get into froch for some reason. For a while I didn't like the guy and through that you tend to try to diminish his achievements...he got a bit lucky at times with Dirrell even taylor when he only had seconds to spare and groves the first time. One guy I thought would come unstuck at the higher level. He was getting hit too much back at British level. But he made a career of proving me wrong tbh. Sometimes you,ve got to hold your hands up and admit your completely wrong. I still don't really know how he managed it. He was a tricky fighter tho...was a lot better than he looked at times and had that incredible chin and will to win. But he was always pretty basic. In the end he had an excellent career...pretty much got the most out of it...and he did deserve that defining second groves win. Even tho I didn't quite see it that way at the time. But he deserves the accolades. Still think on second viewing he done better against ward than he himself thought he did. Thought he lost to Dirrell scoring wise but didn't,t really lose the fight if that makes any sense. Put on some great nights and took on challenges time after time. Hard to criticize his career...if your judging it fairly.
One of the best fighters to watch in recent years, his resume is 5 star and the only guy he looked bad against was Ward. Not sure if you could make a case for him being a British top 10 P4P as I'm no boxing historian but if were talking the last 20 years or so he would definitely make the top 10 maybe top 5.
The thing with Froch many people still can't see all the reasons why he was top draw, and that's the problem his opponents had. I think the single biggest strength he had that is missed was his footwork it was truly world class. Not fancy quick footwork but subtle little movements to get in range cut ring of etc and I have always felt this went under radar. As for Ward, Ward is a great no shame in losing away to him. Ward won fight well but people dont mention fact Ward was out on his feet in 12th, if Froch put foot on gas a round or two earlier I think he would stopped him at death.
You say you got into Hatton but not Froch.Compare Hatton's and Froch's record.Froch any day.Hatton got violently knocked out both times he stepped up.Froch was a cold blooded warrior,even against Ward their were only 2 rounds in it.Ward was Gassed by 12 says a lot about how hard it was.Carl was also 34,and this was Andre at his Prime not the ones against Kovalev.The fact that Ward stopped Kovalev in 5 rounds makes Froch's loss looks better,because the Ward that faced Kovalev wasnt as good as the one that faced Carl.
Froch is a true warrior of the sport. Incredible chin and toughness. Didn't take any soft touches. Exciting to watch. What's not to like? I have nothing but respect for him. So what if he wasn't the most skilled fighter out there? Look at Andre Ward - consensus P4P when he retired. Carl is still considered one of his best wins, if not his best.
How can anyone knock froch as a fighter? He fought everyone there was to fight, he was as tough as anyone and made the most out the ability he had. I wish more British sportsmen were as tough as him.
I think you could be right moog. For years I couldn't,t work it out. Just put it down to certain attributes like chin...will to win being so good that it got him by. And he was just naturally awkward to fight. But you don't get to the top with just these things. It got to the point he proved me wrong so many times you need to just concede in the end. Think I seen a bit of him before he got to the taylor fight against a shopworn Reid etc. Remember thinking he,s getting hit way too much to belong at world level. Usually when guys are taking a lot of shots at British/euro level the top guys usually make them pay for it. Pascal fight...your watching it thinking this is gonna be a shortish career by the looks of it. Its still a bit of a marvel that he had the career he had bearing in mind he took enough shots to finish two careers. I remember being on here not long after the first groves fight saying froch needs to retire. Don't go through another night like that...cause it was brutal at times. I can't remember another fighter that proved me wrong so many times than froch tbh. In the end ...he was a great fighter. Kind of do regret now not getting on the bandwagon earlier. Think for years he was promoted badly nots helped either.
Ward outclassed Froch and Froch never wanted the rematch and Ward should never have been awarded the 1st decision against Kovalev. That said Hatton beating Tszyu trumps anything Froch did and Hatton only ever lost in his prime against 2 ATG's....no embarrassment there. Froch was a very good fighter but never "elite", "elite" fighters don't go life and death with Taylor, "elite" fighters don't get lucky against Dirrell, "elite" fighters don't lose and then have to go to war to beat a shot Kessler. Froch is what he is, a tough sob who fits in nicely in any era at 168 but he'd never of been the man.
I don' think Froch took half as much punishment as people think as do often he was pulling away from shots or his opponents often never had full power in shots as he long reach and excellent footwork meant they were often stood of him. Alot of people forget Froch was a world class amateur in fact the first ever Englishman to medal at the world's (some wrongly say 1st Brit but that was Scott Harrison, another one were many missed his skill)
Yeah he was 'happy' taking punches when his opponent was near to fully extending - his footwork enabled him to keep out of the more dangerous range most of the time (besides for later on in fights when he felt his opponents tire). Coupled with his granite chin it made for a difficult style to deal with. His jab was underrated and he was naturally heavy handed... a great fighter all in all. Wish we had another one like him coming through.
Hatton's wins was all Outdated Opponents either too old or past it.Froch has Kessler,Taylor,Bute,Direll,Groves on his record.He didnt get Knocked out by Ward,Yes he was outclassed for the Majority but he was clearly doing something right given Ward looked the more Tired of the two at the last round.Hatton however was outclassed and knocked out that was the difference.Also Mentally look how Froch returned after Ward,he recovered brilliantly and showed he wasnt affected and was a Tough man.Hatton However was Broken by Floyd,Inside and Outside the Rings and then finished off by Pacquaio.Carl showed the Metal and has a much better record.
Hatton has a solid resume....who are all these outdated opponents he fought? Tszyu was number 1/2 on the P4P rankings at the time Hatton fought him, Ward certainly wasn't. Also sure Hatton lost badly against Pac and was stopped by Floyd but when did he ever go life and death and arguably lose to a fighter like Dirrell? Froch did have Kessler, Taylor, Bute, Dirrell and Groves on hus record but these are not elite names themselves. Firstly, he went 1-1 with a past prime virtually shot Kessler. Taylor had already been beaten in much better fashion by Pavlik and arguably lost to Winky Wright....Bute was an epic win but correct me if I'm wrong but he's seen on here as a hype job.....GG is only a champion because it's a **** poor time in the division and I'd love you to tell me just what exactly Dirrell has done to make him such a good win (even though I thought Froch lost)?
Froch didn't defend the WBU title 15 times. The Tszyu win was great (I was there), but was a bit of a mugging of someone clearly past his best. I like both fighters though. Both had good careers and lots to be proud of. Hatton has the bigger single win, but Froch has the better overall resume. Hatton should have fought Cotto and Witter. Froch fought everyone he could or should have.
What does defending the WBU have to do with anything? Philips Tackie Stewart Oliviera (already beaten Vivian Harris) Tszyu Maussa (just KO'd Harris) Collazo Urango Castillo Mayweather Lazcano Malignaggi Pacquiao. From Tszyu to Pacquaio they where the guys he faced in that order, now what is wrong with that run or his reuse that apparently makes Froch's better?
