Let's get our cards on the table about Froch/Ward situation.

It does but at the end of the day if the fight was made in the UK HBO are still going to show it so its not that big an issue that it would put them off the fight.

It's also a rare occasion where I think UK TV would actually put more money into the pot than HBO would, as I don't think HBO would have it on PPV, whereas Sky would over here and it would sell very well.

As for the fight itself, Ward certainly has no obligation to fight Froch after the way he won first time, much less to do so in London. That said Froch is clearly the most deserving opponent at 168lbs and there is a lot of money in the fight in the UK so I think Ward should take it, I have no doubts he would beat Froch again, and it would be nice if he done so outside his comfort zone somewhat and came across here for the fight.

 

Froch got beat soundly in fight 1 and in many cases a rematch makes no sense

But the division is without an obvious foil for Ward outside of guys outside his weightclass

As for the rematch maybe its not so cut and dry as to Ward just wins again

Froch learned things from fight 1, Froch's corner learned things from fight 1

Theres a good chance they can make some strategic and mental adjustments

first off Froch appeared to be shocked and surprised on how willing and superior Ward was inside, this time Froch will expect Ward to be strong inside and willing to fight up close

also the ref did let a lot of holding happen in the Froch fight, maybe a different ref eliminates some spoiling that Ward employs

Ward is injury prone and on a lay off, maybe he comes in rusty or he gets hurt again or maybe he becomes over confident

Froch has been and will be a very motivated and prepared fighter but he also isnt young anymore either

Its hard to get super intrigued over what appears to be a mismatch but I try sometimes to look for changes

 

talking all "sensible" like this is scaring off the true "Brittards". They won't want any part of this thread.

But may I give you a flavor of it?

Does the name "Jab'ber" or "Jober", "Ja'ber", or perhaps "Jayber" mean anything to you?

What about jOakland? Heard that one?

How about Andre Wardke? Son of Sven?

Ward the cheater, the malicious headbutter. Ward the boring. Ward the arrogant.

Ward who thinks he is God (Son of God).

Ward the white Irishman.

Ward the spy (had spies in Kessler's camp)

Ward the #2 guy who needs to earn a rematch with Froch.

and so on. You get the picture, right?

 

the Super 6 and then Bute beating Froch and Abraham a loser of the tournament knocking off Stieglitz really weakened the challenger field

these were all great for boxing but did accelerate the process of moving a pack of challengers rarely seen in todays boxing

now the 168 division has slowed to the stand still many divisions are in

Ward now has no obvious choice since he beat them all or someone he beat won against someone he hasnt fought like Bute or Stieglitz

Stieglitz did impress in wiping out Abraham in the rematch

Adonis Stevenson is good route unless he stays at 175

Tommy O. is a ranked guy on the way up

His best options reside at 160

175 has Pascal and Hopkins, shame he beat Dawson at 168 rather than just go up and take the belt because now he will just have to go back up and maybe have to beat Dawson again just to win the belt

Wards in a funny spot, maybe he just has to fight who or what he can til real challenges emerge

 

Ward needs Froch more than Froch needs Ward. Ward is desperate for a payday, the belts, and recognition whilst Froch is in a very comfortable position. Froch can get any fight he wants over Ward since Froch will have more negotiation power since he's the cash-cow.

Froch is the king of the super middleweight division.

:deal

 

This era of the SMW division seems to be drawing to a close. Kessler/Froch/Bute/Bika/Taylor/Abraham don't have long left in their careers. You have guys like Groves coming through, and maybe others from other countries, but they will take a while to mature.

Ward has the possibility of being dominant over 2 eras of Super Middleweights and going down as a rival to Joe Calzaghe as the greatest Super Middle of all time.

However. He should realise that history will look upon him more kindly if he takes a leaf out of the book of the other modern greats like Froch and Kessler. 2 guys who were happy to take their belts abroad to defend them. And enter a competition where home and away fights were written into contracts. Firstly, he should acknowledge it wasn't his star power or rating that had him have Kessler delivered to his back yard to win his title. That was luck. It was also never acknowledged by him that he had an unfair advantage in that tournament as he never had to leave his own country. If a new Super 6 came along, or they did Super 6 part 2 - would he sign up to it again, or would he sit out? I fear he would snub the machine that actually propelled him to the top.

The same way I fear he is simply misplacing the importance of 'fighting in America' as integral to 'becoming a star'. He has fought all but 2 of his fights in America. He is not a star. Froch has defended on the road 6 times.

For history to view Ward with the regard he no doubt deserves for his ability, he has to accept his place in the sport as the best in his division, but not the biggest star, and do what others have done, and prove himself away from home.

For himself, of course, he doesn't HAVE to do anything.

Also, you know Carl Froch, that phone call WILL be being made - no way Eddie will convince him not to do it. He wants it more than anything else.

 

ward doesn't need froch not at all.

 

A rematch makes financial sense, but little else. In terms of competitiveness, Ward is in class of his own, no matter where he fights.

 

Thanks mate, but most of the time I just scroll through and see what other people are saying. I'm a relative newcomer to boxing over the last 4/5 years (I didn't really 'grow up' with it, as a lot of people seem to have done), and mainly take in opinions of people who know more than I do to learn about the sport and its history. I am however, a massive Froch fan, and have been since before the Pascal fight, and today there has been some serious **** spouted on this forum that wound me up!

Anyway, at least this thread seems to be a bit more sensible!:good