Froch vs Ward: Super Six Final Build Up Thread

:rofl at Froch's comments about Bute at 27:30 - "another easy nights' work for Boot, milking that cow - fair play to him"

Froch came over really well in that vid - cheers for posting.

 

Really enjoyed that cheers Slip :good.

 

Some classic quotes in there.

You've gotta love Froch.

 

The only time I can envisage Froch having any real success with the uppercut is when Ward switches to southpaw. Ward may fall in when he's making his way inside, but in reality he's only really open to a short and concise uppercut that the likes of Bute throws. Froch's uppercut is one of the few in the sport that a long range shot.

Anyways, every time SOG turns southpaw, in any fight, he leads with the left hand exclusively and tends to lunge a bit with it from range. He's very susceptible to being caught with something that's thrown under his left, the good thing for him has always been that, well, how often is something going to be thrown under your left hand from that range? If Froch can time it right he'll have ample success with his uppercut in that regard I think, Ward's never encountered someone who can actually take advantage of that flaw.

Other than that his uppercut's too long and wide to have much use when Andre's orthodox and up close. As I say, it's not concise enough, and in close quarters Ward will see that shot coming. As Slip says, if he times it perfectly it might land, but even still I think it's one of the more unlikely shots he'll make work, it's just now refined enough IMO to make the most out of that flaw.

One thing I think will be of great importance for Ward is landing that jab to the body. There's very few true exponents of that punch nowadays, and even still those that do have it in their arsenal(Floyd Mayweather, Ivan Calderon) often leave it underused. Unlike his counterparts Ward actually uses it quite frequently, and he utilises it very well at the same time.

It'll work especially well against The Cobra IMO, who was noticeably affected by it against Johnson in particualar. Glenn would step to the side and plant his jab right to Carl's gut as he advanced, and he was straightning Froch with it every time which allowed him to come up with the right hand and land it with aplomb. Added to that Ward's much sharper and has a lot more guile with it than Johnson, rather than lumbering forward and using it predictably he disguises it quite well on both the front and back foot.

You can forsee him using it both ways, when he's trying to get inside Froch's long reach he'll make full use of it. Johnson got inside every time he threw it but he allowed himself to be tied up every time because he hasn't got much nouse when it comes to the inside, he hasn't got that ability like Ward does to keep one hand free and work with it, you can bet that it'll happen a lot tonight, SOG'll straighten Froch with the jab to the body and come right in behind it, it certainly restricts what Carl will be able to throw when he's trying to prevent Ward from forcing the action.

On top of that he can disrupt Froch's rhytym when he's being closed down. I don't particularly rate Froch as a fighter who can pressure, he walks with his punches, meaning he was very little technique, and his balance and footwork are a bit all over the shop when doing so. Sometimes it works(Taylor, when Jermain was gassed), sometimes it doesn't(Dirrell), and I don't think Ward will let it. Again, that jab to the solar plexus disrupts any rhytym Froch attempts to gain. When you're that lumbering coming forward and squaring yourself up, getting made completely static on top of that will be hell. Froch tried to downplay Ward's claims that he doesn't appreciate body shots, but truth be told he reacts badly when hit right down the middle. He was visably wincing when Kessler was landing those right hands, I think we'll see something similar on a lesser scale here. He doesn't even need to feint with it, why feint when you can land, hurt the guy and still land with the right hand over the top?

Ward needs to utilise combinations a little bit better though. Against Abraham he was faced with that high guard and for the most part he was tapping the top of the gloves, opening the guard, and following that up with one shot(often a right to the head, or following it up with a body shot when AA wised up to what was going on). He did a good job in really dissuading Arthur but I felt he could've thrown more 3's and 4's when he was in that position of utter domainance. Likewise against Bika, he didn't get many off, though obviously you can give him a pass for that, considering the opponent*. He needs to get back into the Kessler mould, hooking off the jab, throwing right hands off the hooks, it's all stuff that can be imperative in this fight, and it's against a guy who, unlike his last two opponents, will allow him to do such things.

The only place I think Froch can ''hang'' with Ward is at mid-range, but I really struggle to see how he can keep it there. I'm certain that Ward is aware of it, and he'll be sure to either keep it at range or in close for the most part. At range Froch is forced to close space down, which - as previously stated - he doesn't do very well, and in close, well, a forgone conclusion. He's gotta make it ugly, keep that jab working at mid-range, take advantage when Ward turns into a portsider and for the love of god tie both of his arms up when he gets close to you. This isn't an Abraham situation where the guy comes at you slowly and you can pick him off, Ward will get inside, and Froch has to negate him any way he can, if he bends the rules so be it. Only stop if the ref tells you.

He's gotta be busy with the jab and frustrate Ward when he tries to work. Set punches up by being judicious with the jab and then do whatever it takes to stop anything from coming back. He can reel out of range well after getting something off, and added to that he might even be able to catch Ward off balance with a counter as he does so. Ward often leaps back with something of his own if he's caught, if Froch can get a few shots off and get out just in time, he can catch Andre if he's gotten careless in trying to respond.

It's a tall order for Carl but I think it's feasible that he could do it. It's a 70-30 kind of fight for me. Can't wait all the same, WAR WARD!



*Regarding the Bika fight - in short - I don't think he gets enough credit for that. In fact he often gets critisised, but who's looked good against Sakio? He beat him by a wider margin for than anyone else has, including Calzaghe. He was impressive under the circumstances IMO.

 

Cheers Slip, enjoyed that.

In a few years, Carl is going to be a great addition to a commentary/punditry team-

 

Oh... what time is the Froch-Ward punch off?

 

Ringwalks at 2.30am :good

 

Thanks ishy... Geez Louise... Don't think I've got anymore staying up left in me but this is just unmissable.

 

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/17122011/58/froch-ward-pitches-steel-against-oak.html

 

Got to stay up for this one!

At least it won't be as late as the Khan fight last week.

 

Just something to throw out there. Ward has a history of really bad knees. I don't know how fully they've recovered, but it's one of the reasons he doesn't constantly move and stay on the outside for prolonged periods like he did early in his career.

 

What size ring have they got?

 

Ward pretty wide. 9-3 or 10-2 type decision. Variety of reasons, main one is that he's pretty much better

 

No idea, mate. One of the other lads like Ishipedia or Sir Kosaros will answer that one.

 

I can't bring myself to vote for Ward even though it's the most likely outcome, ill be rooting for Froch and hope he can pull off the upset. WAR Froch