Tag Archives: Carl Froch

Bellew and Chilemba fight on Froch v Kessler card

10 Apr
As featured on NewsNow: Boxing news

Tony Bellew and Isaac Chilemba will fight again in an official final eliminator for the WBC light heavyweight title on the sold-out Carl Froch vs Mikkel Kessler bill at the O2 Arena in London on May 25. The pair clashed at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on March 30 with the contest ending in a draw, and now Bellew says he intends to grab his second chance with both hands.

Credit: Lawrence Lustig

Chilemba (left) and Bellew (right) boxed to a draw. Credit: Lawrence Lustig

“It’s great to have the opportunity to put things right,” said Bellew. “I have to get my head down and work doubly hard in the weeks ahead of the fight to make sure the job gets done properly this time around.

“I’ve had a bit of stick but I can take it and I’ve learned from what happened. It’ll be a different fight this time around – the first fight should’ve been a great one but it just didn’t work out that way. I won’t be making predictions this time, just concentrating on working hard and beating Isaac to land that world title shot.”

Chilemba travels to England once more to tackle Bellew, and the Malawian intends to shock the Scouser on the biggest stage of all: “For most opportunity knocks once, I’ve been fortunate and with my blessing of a second chance I will not leave my future in anyone else’s hands. I believe I won the first fight but that’s now irrelevant – but I will be winning the second fight.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn added: “I’m over the moon to add this fight to a special night of boxing. Both men have a score to settle and I take my hat off to them for agreeing the rematch so quickly. I think you will see a different kind of fight this time, no one will leave it to chance and both need to make a statement this time around.”

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Carl Froch champions HIV awareness campaign

4 Apr

IBF super middleweight titlist and 35-year-old Nottingham native Carl Froch (30-2-0, 22ko) has joined Premiership footballers such as Darren Bent and London 2012 athletes to appear in an HIV awareness campaign launching this month in East London.

carl-froch-saving-life-avengers-300x225

The Saving Lives Avengers will feature in posters and leaflets across The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel to promote an innovative offering of routine HIV testing to all patients having blood tests taken in the emergency department. The campaign is a collaboration between Barts Health NHS Trust and Saving Lives, a national HIV awareness charity which enjoys the support of many sporting stars.

The Saving Lives Avengers aim to educate patients and raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing and IBF super middleweight champion Froch thinks the role is an important one: “If people like me who are in the public eye can attract attention to a topic which people might otherwise ignore, that can only be a good thing,” he says.

Among the Saving Lives Ambassadors is London-born England and Aston Villa striker, Darren Bent. “You hear a lot of silly claims about taking a test damaging your chances of getting insurance or a mortgage, but it’s not true. Saving Lives is raising awareness about HIV, how we can control it, and how people can live a long and happy life.”

Nationwide, one in four of those with HIV are unaware they are infected, and the area served by The Royal London has an estimated HIV population five times higher than the national average (6 in every 1000 people). The new effort is designed to diagnose the undiagnosed.

“HIV can be symptomless for a long time,” explains Dr Chloe Orkin, the Barts Health HIV Consultant behind the routine testing plan. “That means it’s very easy for people not to be diagnosed until it’s too late for today’s life-saving treatments to have their best effect. People are still dying of HIV in the UK – but only because they test too late.”

The offer of routine testing is unusual, and aims to show that in high-prevalence areas wider HIV testing can have an impact on the numbers of people living with undiagnosed HIV. Currently, patients and their doctors must specifically request a test.

“There’s still a lot of stigma around HIV,” explains Dr Steve Taylor, HIV Specialist at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital and Medical Director of Saving Lives. “One of the things our campaigns and sporting advocates help do is correct some commonly-held out-dated myths that perpetuate this stigma which make the lives of people living with HIV very difficult.

Getting tested, looking after your sexual health, education and prevention are what it’s all about. If people have taken risks and by that I simply mean having unprotected sex; then there is every reason to get tested it could save your life.”

London 2012 medal-winning hockey player Sally Walton adds: “Without the test, you run the risk of passing on HIV to your nearest and dearest, and even to potential children through pregnancy. Today’s treatments can help you live a long, healthy life – so there’s no reason not to get a test done.”

A similar campaign conducted at the end of 2012 in Birmingham was cited by 16% of 1800 clinic attendees as part of the reason for taking the test – half of those respondents had no other exposure to sexual health messages in the previous 3 months.

Dan Hartland, Director of Operations for Saving Lives said “We would like to make our Saving Lives Avengers resources available to every City council and Hospital in the country. In this way the hugely expensive costs of such a multimedia campaign featuring stars such as these could be shared and lessened at a time when NHS budgets are very tight, but there is still an urgent need for a new HIV awareness campaign.”

The pilot campaign runs throughout the month of April at The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , ,

Carl Froch pulverises Yusaf Mack’s ribs, wins emphatically in 3rd round

17 Nov

Alan Dawson – London

Carl Froch‘s first defence of his IBF super middleweight world title was as swift as it was brutal as he knocked American challenger Yusaf Mack out with an acute body punch in the third round of their confrontation at the Capital FM Arena in Nottingham on Saturday, November 17. Froch’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sports, wants only the elite for Froch in 2013 and spoke of potential rematches with Lucian Bute, Mikkel Kessler and Andre Ward.

Direct link to article.

Dawson’s scorecard

Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Mack
 8 9 8 - - - - - - -
 - -
Froch
 10 10 10
 - - - - - - - - -

Official verdict: Froch by 3rd Rd TKO.

Boxing with the Stars and Stripes on his trunks and adopting his trademark slick style with his left mitt low, Mack (31-5-2, 17ko) appeared unfazed at the rowdy reception provided by the partisan English crowd. However, like Lucian Bute in May, Mack had no answer when he was bum-rushed by Froch (30-2-0, 22ko) and suffered a flash knockdown in the first round before looking unsteady and ready to fall a second time mere moments from the bell.

Upon replay, though, the knockdown may have been aided by leg entanglement, but Mack’s body language when on his stool between rounds was that of a man who was shocked at the effectiveness of the bombardment he was forced to endure in the opening three minutes.

In the second round, Froch, 35, varied his jabbing to the mouth and to the gut. Midway through the stanza, he threw combinations to the sides of the Philadelphian’s body and, when Mack had his back to the ropes, there was a fan-friendly kerfuffle as both men swapped heavy leather, explosive bombs and egotistical smiles. While Froch got the better of each argument, Mack was no slouch when it came to retaliation and enjoyed most of his success with his left cross.

Froch worked behind his under-rated jab in the third round and his focus was mostly upstairs as Mack’s adapted Philly-Shell guard prevented access to the body. When Mack let his hands go, though, he left his body unprotected and this became his undoing as he was felled for a second time with a tortuous blow just above the belt-line. The decisive flurry included a right to the rib cage, a left to the body and a left to the skull before Mack submitted to his knees and required paramedic attention – perhaps due to broken, or at least severely battered and bruised, ribs.

“I get my body in A-level condition,” said the ageless Froch to Sky Sports 1 following the official announcement of his win. “If anyone comes in below par – that is what happens to them. Physically I feel at my best, I’m smashing my personal bests in training. Mentally, I’m dealing with these opponents. He didn’t come out sharp, I found my range early and them body shots would have hurt.”

Promoter Hearn spoke of Froch’s future: “[Bute and his management have] got to decide whether they want the fight. We’re contractually obliged to go over there [but] I don’t think there is one super middleweight out there – Andre Ward included – who can beat Carl Froch in Nottingham. Bute, [Mikkel] Kessler and Ward. That’s who we want in 2013 and the more fights in Nottingham the better.”

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tony Bellew to use Roberto Bolonti as stepping stone in pursuit of Chad Dawson

6 Nov

Alan Dawson – London

Light heavyweight contender Tony Bellew hopes to follow in the footsteps of Matchroom Sports stablemate and welterweight campaigner Kell Brook when it comes to guaranteeing himself a mandatory shot at a world title. Bellew, 29, collides with fellow 175lber Roberto Bolonti on Saturday, November 17 and believes a win will act as a springboard to an eventual attempt at claiming the WBC belt, currently held by Chad Dawson.

Direct link to article.

Tony aiming for mandatory crack at Chad’s green and gold belt. Credit: Dwight McCann

“I want to put the pressure on someone like Chad Dawson to face me,” Bellew (18-1-0, 12ko) said ahead of his Capital FM Arena test in Nottingham.

Known for his concussive punch power, his ability to adapt in the ring and for giving countryman Nathan Cleverly a competitive battle for the latter’s WBO title last year, Bellew believes his reputation within Britain is working against him abroad as he is now regarded to be “maximum risk/minimum reward”. He added: “I am not a lucrative match for people to face.” As a result, the likeable Liverpudlian believes he has “to force one of these champions” into a fight.

“It might not be a WBC, it might be an IBF challenge to Tavoris Cloud. I don’t know which it is going to be but all I want to do is become a mandatory challenger, very similar to the way Kell Brook has done it.

“Roberto Bolonti is another step in the right direction, it is a WBC eliminator and it is for the Silver title. He is number five with the WBC and this should propel one of us into the top three in my opinion, so I am hoping to get fast tracked to the WBC.”

The light heavyweight landscape is one dominated by the presence of a quartet of North Americans including the returning former Ring Magazine champion Jean Pascal, heavy-hitting Tavoris Cloud and veteran ring king Bernard Hopkins. It is Chad Dawson, though, who Bellew ranks atop the lot.

“I believe Chad Dawson is the best light heavyweight in the world. I know he had the contentious fight with Jean Pascal but I believe he would have stopped Pascal if the fight would have been allowed to carry on, so I think Pascal got really lucky the cut came when it did.

“I do believe that Dawson is the best in the division and aside from him I feel everyone is on a level playing field. Bernard Hopkins, in terms of experience, is up there with Dawson but as an actual fighter I believe Dawson is proven to be the best light heavyweight out there. But I would be happy to fight him.”

If an Anglo-American feud were to develop between Dawson and Bellew, the Englishman would draw confidence from how Bad Chad was defeated by super middleweight lineal champion Andre Ward. He noted: “There is now a blueprint to beat Chad Dawson after what Andre Ward did [knocked him out], so I would be happy to go in there and carry out what Ward did to him.”

Bellew fights Bolonti on the “True Brit” card that is headlined by Carl Froch versus Yusaf Mack.

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday’s boxing news: Fury and Wilder, The Money Team, Gridiron viciousness and being a vampire

20 Aug

On The Beak – Admin

Randall Bailey has a chilling message for IBF welterweight world title challenger Devon Alexander: “Even at my worst, I have dropped every southpaw that I’ve fought. Eventually, I’m going to catch up to Devon. And when I do, it’s going to be trouble for him.” The two lock horns in Bailey’s first defence of the belt at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas on September 8.

Full story: The Ring.

A trans-Atlantic battle of heavyweight prospects could be on the cards as the team behind British-Irish phenom Tyson Fury have responded to power-punching American Deontay Wilder’s call-out. Peter Fury, Tyson’s trainer, indicated a March 17 date at Madison Square Garden in New York City could be on the cards should Wilder’s people contact Fury’s promoter.

Full story: Twitter

TMT Promotions, headed by promoter 50 Cent, are set to showcase their debut boxing event on November 17. The card will be a double-header featuring two fighters from The Money Team’s stable. Yuriorkis Gamboa is slated to box Juan Carlos Salgado while Andre Dirrell is matched with Brian Magee.

Full story: Fight Hype

IBF super middleweight belt holder Carl Froch was due to announce the opponent chosen for his first defence of his title today, Monday, but the decision has been postponed until August 28. The date and venue are certain, though, as November 17 and the Capital FM Arena have been chosen.

Full story: World Boxing News

Johnny Nelson introduces the new boxing season in Britain by naming his three “ones to watch” that include Kell Brook, Tony Bellew and Carl Frampton.

Full story: Sky Sports

Rising heavyweight star Seth Mitchell, a former linebacker at Michigan State University, has proclaimed the football field to be more dangerous than inside the squared circle! “I’ve seen more vicious knockouts and concussions [there] than in boxing”.

Full story: Boxing Talk

Fan-friendly flyweight gold medalist Nicola Adams has insisted her wave of good press will not change her and, despite finishing atop of her division in the Olympics a fortnight ago, will resume training and return to the gym in September in order to prepare for the European Championships next year.

Full story: Sporting Life

Reigning WBC super bantamweight king Toshiaki Nishiokia has revealed that he performs better when faced with the greatest of challenges. A statement that perhaps indicates why he was keen to attempt to unify his green belt with Nonito Donaire’s WBO and IBF belts, Nishioka added he will be “fired up most” for the Filipino Flash.

Full story: Japan Times

One last thing…

Giorbis Barthelemy’s nosferatu impression has landed him a decade-long suspension that will likely mean that the 40-year-old southpaw’s prizefighting career has come to a close. Barthelemy was ahead on the scorecards when he bit the neck of Grady Brewer in the fifth round of their Cobb Callergia Centre duel. The Floridian was also charged $10,000 by the Georgia State Athletic Commission.

Full story: World Boxing News

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lucian Bute ‘convinced’ he will beat Carl Froch in 2013 rematch in Montreal

8 Jul

On The Beak – Admin

InterBox and Lucian Bute met with media representatives at the Cage aux Sports restaurant in the Montreal Bell Centre earlier this week. Team InterBox revisited Lucian’s last bout on May 26 and revealed the future plans for Lucian and Carl Froch. Below, is a detailed resume of declarations by Lucian Bute, InterBox president Jean Bedard, Matchroom Boxing president Eddie Hearn and head trainer Stephan Larouche.

Direct link to article.

Bute and Froch could fight on the same night later this year, prior to their second bout in 2013. Credit: Interbox

Lucian Bute

- That was not the real Lucian Bute in that Nottingham ring last May, 26. I spent the last few weeks reflecting about what went wrong, what happened, and the only thing that is crystal clear in my mind is that I want my rematch with Carl Froch as soon as possible.

- I am convinced the loss was due to critical errors on my part and that I will beat him.

- I did not use my primary weapons of speed and my jab at all during the fight. I fought Carl Froch’s fight instead of dictating the pace and forcing him to fight my fight.

- It was a bad night for me in Nottingham. A nightmare, really. I lost my IBF belt, my perfect record and I suffered a hard loss.

- I cannot wait to step back into the ring. I am already back at the gym training. I feel fresh, in good spirits, my health is very good and my goal and motivation is to prove to myself and to everyone that [my] last [fight] was just a bad day at the office.

- I do not want to take anything away from Carl Froch’s accomplishment. He was the better man that night. He was hungrier and more motivated and he won. But now I have to look ahead. My promoter Jean Bedard, my coach Stephan Larouche and I have had numerous serious discussions and we have established a plan that I am very comfortable with. In the next two fights I will erase the bad memory from my mind and from the minds of my fans.

Jean Bedard

- There is no hiding the fact that the result was hard on everyone. But even in defeat, in the locker room after the fight and the days following the loss, I still felt Lucian had the fire in his belly to come back stronger and demand his rematch with Froch.

- Lucian was in my office the morning after his return from Romania to reaffirm his intentions. He looked me straight in the eyes and asked me to set the plan we detailed with him and Stephan in motion.

- In all likelihood Lucian will box in Montreal or Quebec this Fall. However, it is also not out of the question that Lucian make his November ring return in Romania. We are already in discussions with an opponent and have sent them an offer.

- We do have a rematch clause with Matchroom Boxing, which could have been a direct rematch bout no matter the outcome. Matchroom Boxing is a great organisation to work with and I have been speaking to Eddie once or twice a week since [the defeat]. I almost know his number by heart. We decided together that in the interest of effectively promoting the rematch, Lucian and Carl would fight in separate events and that we will coordinate our efforts for both to fight on the same day, in November. We agreed the Bute/Froch rematch would take place on March 16th or March 23rd at the Montreal Bell Centre.

Eddie Hearn

- The Carl Froch v Lucian Bute fight has already gone down as one of the greatest fights in British boxing history. It generated record audiences and a sold-out arena that were treated to what many respected pundit and fighters have described as one of the greatest atmosphere’s ever.

- Carl put in an incredible performance and against all odds recaptured a world title. Both Carl, I and the people of Great Britain have the utmost respect for Lucian for first accepting the challenge to come to England but also the manner in which he accepted defeat.

- Like any fighter, I’m sure Lucian would like an opportunity to avenge this defeat as per our agreement he has the opportunity to try and make that happen. Together with Jean Bedard we have agreed in the interest of both fighters that we will have an ‘interim’ fight and then look to rematch in March 2013. I’m sure this will build into another huge fight and will do record numbers in Canada.

Stephan Larouche

- Team Bute has been analysing all factors and circumstances pertaining to the May 26 bout, including Lucian`s preparation.

- As Lucian confirmed earlier, he is already back in the gym. We want to make sure he stays in great shape.

- We will not be “starting from zero” with Lucian. I want to make it clear to everyone that Lucian did not lose the fight because he was over trained, or not ready. He lost that fight because of several small mistakes that combined gave all the advantage to Carl Froch.

- We are not looking for an “easy touch” for the November fight. We are looking for, and have possibly found, an opponent that will test Lucian and give him a difficult fight. I want Lucian to be tested, to work, and to step out of his comfort zone as well.

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Carl Froch’s knockout win over Lucian Bute inspires Kell Brook ahead of Carson Jones examination

3 Jun

On The Beak – Admin

Welterweight contender Kell Brook has vowed to emulate stablemate Carl Froch after watching the Nottingham man become a three-time world champion last Saturday. Froch took just five rounds to destroy previously unbeaten IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute in front of a sold out Capital FM Arena and the show smashed Sky Sports viewing figures set by Brook when he fought Matthew Hatton in March.

Direct link to article.

The Sheffield bout could be a barnburner as there is no love lost between Brook and Jones

Sheffield sensation Brook faces his toughest test yet when he meets IBF number three Carson Jones in a bout likely to be given official eliminator status by the governing body, and Brook says he has been inspired by The Cobra: “Carl’s performance last weekend was just out of this world,” said Brook. “Afterwards he said it was an all-or-nothing night so to go in there with that pressure and produce a performance like that is incredible.”

Brook was ringside with Matchroom Sports stablemates Darren Barker and Kal Yafai and joined the 9,500 fans in an outburst of joy as Froch followed flurries of punches in the third and fourth rounds to stop the Canadian after 65 seconds of the fifth: “When the referee stepped in to give the count, everyone thought the fight was all over and the noise was unbelievable,” said Brook.

“Carl is the best in Britain without any doubt and a great example to any young fighter. He is an absolute animal in training and totally professional in everything he does. He’s someone I really look up to and lean on ahead of my fights now we’re in the same team.”

On his date with Jones, Brook said: “I know the size of the task ahead of me on July 7 – he’s obviously totally confident of coming over here and beating me. But just look at what Carl did to Lucian. He said he was insulted that he thought he could come here and beat him and Carl put him in his place – I need to do exactly the same thing because the reward at the end will be a world title shot.”

Before the main event there is a stacked undercard led by two European title rematches as Gavin Rees defends his lightweight title against Derry Mathews and Kerry Hope defends the European middleweight title against Greg Proksa. One of Matchroom Sport’s newest signings Kal Yafai also makes his debut on the undercard.

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Pascal versus Cloud to be ‘most explosive fight in boxing’, Stevenson gunning for Froch fight

29 May

On The Beak – Admin

A light heavyweight world championship showdown between two young fighters in their prime has been confirmed for Saturday, August 11 at Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada, when undefeated IBF world champion Tavoris Cloud (24-0-0, 19ko) defends his title against popular hometown favorite and former WBC light heavyweight titleholder Jean Pascal (26-2-1, 16ko) on SHOWTIME.

Direct link to article.

Cloud escaped with a disputed decision win over Campillo in his last test. Credit: Esther Lin/Showtime

Cloud is known as a no-nonsense power puncher, who comes right at his opponents with few frills. Pascal may not equal Cloud in work rate, but his footwork and explosive combinations make for a compelling match-up between ferocious punchers. Both men will be coming in to not only win, but to make a statement as the best puncher in one of boxing’s glamour divisions.

The 5-foot-10, Cloud will be making the fifth defense of the then-vacant 175-pound title he won via 12-round unanimous decision over Clinton Woods on Aug. 28, 2009. The hard-hitter successfully defended against Glen Johnson (unanimous decision, June 7, 2010), Fulgencio Zuniga (unanimous decision, Dec. 17, 2010) and Yusaf Mack (TKO 8, June 28, 2011) before winning a controversial split decision over Gabriel Campillo in February.

“First, I want to thank Tavoris Cloud for giving me the opportunity to fight for his IBF light heavyweight belt and to prove who I really am in the ring,” said Pascal. “He has shown true class seeking out the best challenger in the division and for this he has my full respect. Our styles make for the best, most explosive and spectacular fight possible in boxing. Having been away from the ring for more than a year, I am hungrier and more determined than ever to get back on top. Don’t miss it August 11 in Montreal. I am going to get back on the throne for good.”

Throughout a career that began in August 2004, Cloud has been a road warrior. He’s fought only three times in his native Florida. Pascal, conversely, has had all but two of his fights in Canada.

Jean Pascal is looking to bounce back from a draw and a loss to Bernard Hopkins. Credit: Tom Casino/Showtime

The co-feature will match budding Canadian knockout artist Adonis “Superman” Stevenson, (18-1-0, 15ko) of Montreal, against an opponent to be announced in a super middleweight bout.

Stevenson has notched 15 knockouts in 19 professional fights in his climb up the rankings. The Canadian southpaw super middleweight is currently ranked number two with the IBF, three with the WBC and seven in both the WBO and WBA charts.

“I am so proud to be making my Showtime debut fighting in this major event in Montreal,” said Stevenson. “I am on a mission to destroy anybody that has the courage to get in the ring with me. I am not looking for any favors or compassion. My goal is to show the world that I truly deserve to be on a major network fighting Carl Froch for his IBF belt. Watch me make a major statement August 11.”

Trained by the renowned Emmanuel Steward, Stevenson got a late start in the professional ranks with a 2006 debut at the age of 29. Now a six year pro, Stevenson has maintained his penchant for knockouts as he’s stepped up the class of competition. In his last five starts, against opponents with a combined record of 107-8, he has overwhelmed them all, winning four of five inside three rounds. The lone exception is a ninth-round KO of Aaron Pryor Jr.

In all, 12 of his 15 knockouts have come inside three rounds.

The 5-foot-11, 34-year-old Stevenson won a WBC Silver belt with a second-round TKO over Noe Gonzalez (27-1 going in) in his most recent outing last April 20 at Bell Centre.

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Lucian Bute crumbles under pressure as Carl Froch wins five round annihilation

27 May

Alan Dawson – London

Carl Froch silenced his doubters – yet again – as the unfancied Cobra, whose venom was not expected to provide such a sting against the previously unbeaten Lucian Bute, killed off the IBF super middleweight champion’s chances within minutes of their duel at the Capital FM Arena in Nottingham on Saturday, May 26. Froch fired in an abundance of shots from all angles before stopping Bute on his feet in round five to become a three-time world champion at 168lbs.

Direct link to article.

Dawson’s scorecard

Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Bute
 10 9 8 9 8 - - - - -
 - -
Froch
 10 10 10
 10 10 - - - - - - -

Official verdict: Froch by way of fifth round TKO.

“It’s still sinking in, the support has been fantastic,” said a euphoric Froch to Sky Sports One. “After the Andre Ward defeat I was deflated but I was beat by the better man. Tonight, I did right. I listened to Rob McCracken and he never gets it wrong. When I listen, I get it right. Tonight, I was switched on, focused. I came to do a job. I was just on it tonight. Let me tell you, [Bute] can punch, I’m elated though, so happy.”

Froch’s performance was dominant but it was the awkward stance of jittery southpaw Bute that appeared to confound Froch early on as the hometown challenger looked crude in comparison to the more refined champion. The Englishman, though, took heart from his ability to land but, more importantly, his ability to hurt Bute as, in the first round Lucian was cronked with a left hook and in the second Lucian had to clinch in order to recover following a number of shots absorbed upstairs.

While much was said pre-fight about Bute’s portside jab, the orthodox lead left from Froch was the most reliable asset of the two. It continuously found the Canadian-Romanian’s nose in the second but he neglected the jab in the third round as he sent an absolute bombardment of blows to Bute’s bonce, establishing a dominant 10-8 round despite scoring no knockdown. Froch was fierce, unrelenting and Bute was vulnerable and wobbled back to his stool after combat had momentarily paused prior to the fourth.

Froch’s legion of supporters were rallied and raucous when Froch abandoned sweet boxing and opted to lunge in wildly – where he surprisingly had far more success than when he tried to box his way toward openings. In the fourth, he again pounded Bute, landing uppercuts and short-range straights. After 12 minutes of fists, Bute was cut by the eyebrow and a stoppage seemed inevitable as Bute failed to handle the strength, the power and the swarm of shots from a battling Englishman.

That stoppage arrived in the fifth… amid peculiar circumstance as Froch pierced Bute’s guard with a punishing shot. Bute required the ropes to prop himself up and the referee sent Froch to a neutral corner. The crowd and promoter Eddie Hearn, however, believed the fight had been stopped and Hearn rushed in to lift Froch aloft despite the referee giving Bute a count which could normally result in a disqualification.

Bute, though, was not allowed to continue. By the count of ten, the referee believed he was not in a fit state to continue and even trainer Stephen Larouche entered the ring with the white towel over his shoulder, ready to pull his ward out of combat.

Considered the underdog even by bookmakers in his home country, Froch – now 29-2-0, 21ko – did the unthinkable by not only defeating Bute, but doing so emphatically, by stoppage, before the fight had even reached the halfway stage.

“He boxed fantastically well,” said head trainer McCracken. “Maybe down the line we can put [the Andre Ward result] right. Froch is a fantastic specimen, he doesn’t gain weight. When he’s [on it] he delivers.

“He’s one of the best boxers we’ve produced on this land.”

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Carl Froch has intestinal fortitude, Lucian Bute will rise to the occasion – Sugar Ray Leonard

23 May

Alan Dawson – London

Carl Froch‘s most impressive performance was his come-from-behind 12th round technical knockout victory over former lineal middleweight champion Jermain Taylor in 2009, according to ring legend Sugar Ray Leonard, who has lauded The Cobra’s self confidence and gladiatorial spirit. Froch hopes to land his third super middleweight world championship on Saturday, May 26 but Leonard believes he will have his hands full with IBF title-holder Lucian Bute.

Direct link to article.

Two boxers who don’t shy away from the fight make for an ‘exciting’ match-up, says Sugar Ray. Credit: Interbox

“Well, it’s a very intriguing match-up,” commented Leonard, who was once described as a mini Muhammad Ali by their mutual trainer Angelo Dundee. A consensus top twenty all-time great, Leonard, a 56-year-old American, amassed a 36-3-1, 25ko record with spectacular triumphs over Wilfred Benitez, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran and Marvin Hagler.

The former champion of five weight divisions will be providing commentary on Froch (28-2-0, 20ko) and Bute’s Capital FM Arena battle to an American broadcaster this weekend and has spoken out over what he thinks will be the key aspects of combat: “You have Carl Froch, who [is confident]. I mean, that’s what it takes first and foremost. You have to believe in yourself, believe in your ability.

“I’ve seen Carl fight a number of times [and] I think one of the most impressive fights was when he fought Jermain Taylor. You know if my memory serves me correctly Carl came back and knocked him out. And I was very impressed with that because that showed intestinal fortitude. You can’t teach that. That is within. A lot of fighters tell you what they’re going to do, this and that; and that’s just the art of verbal confrontation. But when you prove it like Carl has in the past, you know what? This fight should be pretty exciting.”

Bute and trainer Stephen Larouche have prepared for the Nottingham crowd. Credit: Interbox

Bute (30-0-0, 24ko) is one of the greatest draws in boxing today as he regularly attracts big crowds in his adopted fighting home of Montreal, Canada. Against Froch, however, he attempts to make a tenth successful defence of his IBF championship in the 168lb division by defeating his opponent in their own back yard.

In an effort to deal with the raucous support Froch will enjoy, Bute and his coaching staff have recreated a hostile environment during their training camp, playing jeers through speakers whilst even mimicking the ringside buoyancy of Froch’s noticeable girlfriend Rachel Cordingley, a popular lingerie model.

Leonard commented: “I didn’t realise that he fought the majority of his fights in Canada. It could be culture shock. It could be something he’s not used to. But for some reason I think he will rise to the occasion.”

For all of boxing’s biggest stories click here

onthebeak@gmail.com

Follow us on TWITTER

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

← Older Entries

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 26 other followers