Froch's next opponent

First topic message reminder :

With Sakio Bika winning the vacant WBC SM title, what about Bika v Froch in a unification match-up? Bika is tough but somewhat limited (mind you, some may say the same about Froch) and he should be a able to give Froch a decent test although I'd wager Froch would be able to come through it.

Doesn't change the fact that Ward would still be "the man" at the weight but I think Froch would love the chance to get his hands on another belt.

Depends if he's friends on FACEBOOK with Jimmy Carr...actually, Eddie Hearn could use that fact that he and Jimmy Carr could have been seperated at birth to convince Ward that he'd be paying about $3.28 in tax

Bika would be outboxed comprehensively, and would show extreme resilience to not get knocked out.

It can only be Ward for Froch.

Shahenshah - there are special tax rules for sports people. This is why Usain Bolt etc don't compete in UK athletics and The Champions League final doesn't get held in the UK! I think if one competes in the UK they get taxed on their whole income here. Which understandably puts a lot of sportsmen off, as the tax liability on total annual earnings can exceed the winnings from the uk events, and then there are the complications of how this would be compatible with a US tax return and what double tax reliefs are available. Afraid tax isn't my speciality, but well noted, it could scupper a uk fight.

UK tax is a disgrace. Dont understand how the government can justify taxing the working man so much

At least the welsh get free prescriptions

BlakkMamba wrote:At least the welsh get free prescriptions

I know. And for a perscription junkie like me thats great

I dont think it should it be assumed that Ward wont come to the UK.

Firstly, if Ward wasnt interested in a Froch rematch it would be easy enough to draw a line under the first fight and move on. However he hasnt done that. He seems open to a rematch and has openly discussed the possibiity. Secondly, he hasnt as far as I have seen ruled out coming to the UK. He has just said he wont be forced to. By my interpretation what he means is - if you want the fight in the UK you better make me a good offer. Lastly, I dont see why Hearn would be so enthusiastic to pay big money to Ward to come to the UK. He has a boxer who can do ppv numbers with a limited time left. A second loss to Ward probably sees the end of his career. And regardless of Wards lack of road travel, I think its only a very optimistic Froch fan that wouldnt see a large risk of Froch losing again. Barry Hearn was on Ringside and basically said if it was his call he wouldnt go near Ward again.

My own interpretation would be that its actually Hearn thats in no rush to make the fight happen at this time rather than Ward. Froch has easier, and more lucrative options open to him. In a couple of fights time if Froch is ready to retire they might go for Ward but I would say Hearn is looking more closely at Kessler again or Groves in the near future and in the meanwhile will try and make it look like Ward is the guy thats preventing the fight happening or insinuating Ward is the one needs Froch.

Groves would be a good option. That could be an exciting fight. I'd like to see Kessler retire, he deserves to go out on a high. Give Ward time to heal his shoulder.

According to boxrec Ward in No.2 and Froch is No. 8 - they are miles ahead of anyone at their weight division and the only guy near them in a similar weight division is Sergio Martinez. It doesn't really make sense for these guys to be fighting anyone else right now.

Wherever it happens there should be a repeat. Regardless of whether it is thought Ward will win again, Froch has improved and had three good wins since Ward beat him. He has done enough to earn a shot at redemption, I don't think anyone can quibble with that.

and The Champions League final doesn't get held in the UK

Dude, it was at Wembly on the same night as Froch/Kessler

I'd like to see Cleverly against Froch. Would do massive numbers and I think with Cleverly's willingness to trade it would be a great fight.

BlakkMamba wrote:According to boxrec Ward in No.2 and Froch is No. 8 - they are miles ahead of anyone at their weight division and the only guy near them in a similar weight division is Sergio Martinez.  It doesn't really make sense for these guys to be fighting anyone else right now.

Wherever it happens there should be a repeat.  Regardless of whether it is thought Ward will win again, Froch has improved and had three good wins since Ward beat him.  He has done enough to earn a shot at redemption, I don't think anyone can quibble with that.

I won't. I think that is spot on. I doubtitwill happen until next Spring though, with a fight for Froch at the end of the year. The queston then will be who does it make sense for him to fight in the interim? An international name would be my preference as opposed to any home spun talent.

In which case he's as well fighting Sakio Bika as anyone. It would pick him up another title if he wins.

Froch Kessler III would be the dream.

I'd love him to tempt Sergio Martinez up from middleweight for a p4p clash.

Suspect he will get a stay busy fight against a challenger, and who can blame him, he's earnt that one too.

Martinez would be my pick. If he fights Bika it is just another way of trying to compare himself to Calzaghe. Unfair, I know, but Bika is superb gate keeper and Froch has proven himself better than that.

Agreed. That world title is the only carrot.

Would love to see him fight martinez, that would be a classic.

How old would Martinez be by then? (Boxing age, not actual age). If he arrives in anything resembling peak, I think he does Froch in quite comfortably, too many angles, too fast, his a slick Argentine that Martinez. And Froch doesnt have the fighting style to make the obvious size disparity count. But I dont think that will happen, Sergio is ageing bad, and Froch is coming on strong. Would be a good name to get on the ledger (a guy very close to legend). Would it put him above Joey, though? I mean thats Carl's goal.

Well I for one think Froch and Calzaghe are different fighters from different ages. It's like comparing floyd patterson with jack johnson - fun but that's all it is. I don't think he needs to compare himself to anyone, Froch has had a glittering career in its own right, it needs no context.

I rate Froch as better than martin Murray, and I'd fancy him to knock Martinez out late on. Martinez is a great fighter, but at 38, I don't think he will have the engine to battle froch for 12 rounds. I think Froch's power would tell on him as well. It would be a hummdinger of a battle.

Thats my issue. The engine. But Sergio is a champion. He might find a way.

Undoubtedly he is an elite fighter and Froch will have to bring his A-game.

A 5% drop in performance would be fatal. I can just see him bowling through Sergio's punches though and landing bombs that wear out a 38 year old Martinez.

This would excite me much more than Froch-Ward, but knowing the kind of fighter Froch is, he would want to face Ward again.

I think Sergio would going land at will, he really is too fast for him. Froch might drop him, but Martinez always gets up. Stamina is the big thing. Which is why Froch wins.

It would be interesting. Froch is a deceptively good boxer though and has a two inch reach, strength, stamina and power advantage. Too much for Martinez to make up in my view.

Really intrigued by this one though!

Thing is, with all the disadvantages against him, Martinez might fancy it as no-one realistically expects him to win so there's no shame in losing. Probably why Martin Murray has thrown his hat into the ring.

Timing and size would favour Froch heavily against Martinez. On the basis of recent fights I make Froch a strong favourite. He probably scarcely breaks above 20% accuracy against Martinez but when he does land I think its going to really damage Martinez who has been floored several times in his last few fights. Id rather see Golovkin v Martinez for the middleweight championship than Martinez move up at this stage.

Of course, you do realise Golovkin is a massive hype job/flavour of the month/ the latest fighter for 606-ers to hitch their bandwagon to* (delete as applicable).

I love Martinez, but I couldn't see him hanging with the top 168 pounders. He's a small middleweight, and Chavez almost had him out in that final round. All Chavez had was size, nothing to go with it. The top super middleweights have that size advantage, plus athleticism and ability to go with it. I'd fancy Froch to walk down any version of Martinez with no fear of his what's coming back. Stops him in the mid rounds when Sergio always dips. Serge struggles to get around the jab and the last time a southpaw with good footwork, power and handspeed was favoured over Froch he was decimated.

Ward beat Froch so comfortably there is nothing to suggest Froch would be better at home.

The lack of decent potential fights for Froch suggests that Ward would have the same problem, there is just nobody else there for either of them if they don't move up in weight.

Fight should happen but it should happen in the US.

If we are looking at ways to make it harder for Ward they could maybe say that he can only use his left hand in odd rounds?