Froch Wants Kessler Next – News
July 8th, 2009
By Jason Kim: World Boxing Council super middleweight champion Carl Froch (25-0, 20 KO’s) has an elective defense of his title coming up and instead of taking on one of the easier contenders in the WBC, which is pretty much what all champions do unfortunately, the 31-year-old Froch is shooting for a unification bout against the inactive WBA super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler (41-1, 31 KO’s) next.
However, due to inactivity (Kessler hasn’t fought since October 2008) there’s questions from some boxing experts whether Kessler may have slipped a notch with the up and coming super middleweights Andre Dirrell and Andre Ward possibly overtaking Kessler.
Froch has nobody scheduled for his next fight, but would like to get back in the ring by September or October. If Kessler is agreeable to a unification match with Froch, which is a big if, then this is a fight that would make sense for Froch, because the fight would be a big sell in the UK and possibly might interest U.S. cable networks like HBO or Showtime. Froch, despite his mostly mediocre competition on his resume, feels confident – perhaps a little too much – that he’ll be able to beat the 30-year-old Kessler.
Kessler was previously beaten by former WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe by a 12-round unanimous decision in November 2007. Kessler has looked good since that fight beating Dimitri Sartison to capture the vacant WBA title and then Danilo Haussler in October 2008.
However, Kessler has been unable to lure any of the big name fighters like Bernard Hopkins into fighting him. While Froch is still far from being a big-named star, he’s probably the closest thing that Kessler can get at this point in time.
Based on how Froch looked against Taylor last time out, I would be hard pressed to see Froch winning even a round of the action against Kessler. Froch looked horrible against Taylor and was getting badly out-boxed for half of the fight. It was only after Taylor faded in the 2nd half of the bout, a problem that Taylor often has in his fights, that Froch was able to come on and start taking control over the fight.
Kessler, however, doesn’t have a problem with his stamina and is able to box well for a full 12 rounds without showing signs of wearing down. On paper, I see this fight as a replay of Kessler vs. Lucian Andrade, a pressure fighter with a style much like that of Froch. Kessler easily defeated Andrade by a lopsided 12-round decision in March 2007. Andrade failed to win even a round in the fight.
Froch, who is even slower than Andrade, will probably have the same kinds of problems against Kessler. This is why it seems odd that Froch is choosing Kessler to go after. Froch seems to be overestimating his own talent and might be in for a rude awakening.
Strategically, this might be a better fight for Froch because he’ll get a bigger payday against Kessler than he will against a lower ranked fighter. And when you look at the fact that Froch will have to defend his title against his number #1 contender Ward after fighting his elective defense – and will probably lose to Ward – it seems like a better option to face Kessler now. Froch won’t likely get as much money fighting Ward than he would against Kessler.
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froch v hopkins,2nd best defence in boxing against the worst defence in boxing,froch would get old manned,bashed up then knocked out.Won’t ever happen though
Froch not ducking anyone? Why hasn’t he taken on Hopkins in Vegas. Hopkins said he’d do it and it would be by far the most lucrative fight out there for him in Froch’s own words.
Froch wants to fight the best of the rest and not the very best! He knows his capabilities and Hopkins would humiliate him.
Hence he went for the far easier option of Bute and now that isn’t happening – for all his dross about wanting to fight the best anywhere, anytime – he’s announced he’ll be fighting at home against ‘someone’ more than likely Dirrell who is just an average fighter.
Fair play to Froch – he’ll fight Abraham, Pavlik big strong fighters with good reputations who he can have a row with but are limited boxers.
He’s avoided Hopkins like swine flu – the very best.
Hopkins in ability is streets ahead of any of these other fighters and would do wonders for Froch’s legacy should he win (never gonna happen though).
I respect Froch for looking for the toughest fights out there who are good fighters but way off Hopkins in class and ability.
He knows his 0 and reputation is gone if he fought Hopkins.
Even with Hopkins at 44 Froch knows he get schooled – so – no he doesn’t want to the best – just the best of the rest!
Sakio Bika is the Man to beat. Froch call him out. Sakio Bika vs. B-Hop what’s up with that.AT 168 or 170 would be good to fight at. everybody running from him.
not sayin you can,just don’t rate the guy and people comin on sayin he’d batter calzaghe do my head in
carl froch is a old school fighter he does not care who he fights ive watched Carl when he one his first english title against page in darby and ive been a fan ever since.Im a pro boxer and i would fight anyone i may have got beat but my attitude was i dont care how good they are give it
your best and you will be respected more in the fight game and as a fellow pro he get my respect so get of the guys back all carl wants to do is be the best and test his skills and you cant blame him word up.
what??? weido!! haha, how old are u? 10? cuz it snds like it
He desperate for a big fight for the cash cos he could lose against a bum,that only reason and everyone can see you got face on cos i slagged your boyfreind off!Forgot more about boxing than you’ll ever know matt weirdo
the 1st comment, read and learn……. punk!!
read what i wrote u penis, i dnt think he has the talent 2back it up, but i respect his mind-set and never say die attitude! hes a tru warrior!
you dnt make any points all u do is comment on other peeps opinions! every1 can c wat a brainless tw*t u really are…………
Alert Alert Alert: Blade is Jason Kim
matt w,i wonder what the w stands for!
You obviously rate froch which tell me you know f all about f all,go and talk to g,sure you 2 will get on great
BLADE………. U are a typical american punk, who knows sod all!! u suck ass my friend
I don’t rate Froch as a boxer but I really admire him for calling out Kessler, the best SMW, he is a breath of fresh air!
In all the politics,alphabet belts and fighters avoiding each other.
Other fighters that spring to mind that would take on anyone, all be it if they lose are also brits.
Haye & Hatton!
Wot a joker this g is,reid was way past his best when he fought froch,can’t believe people seriously think froch would have beat calzaghe!!!!
Problem with nottingham is its a dump and full of stupid froch fans like you g you muppet
Blade you Knob, Froch beat Reid also, and what the problem with Nottingham.
too right blade m8.joe calzaghe had twice the speed of carl froch when joe woz in hiz prime.people 4get how old he wos when he retired he couldnt really wait about 4 the two crap american fighters that every yank is bleating on about.the truth is calzaghe was untouchble when his prime.by that i dontg mean the bums he fought coz he did fight sum,i mean the likes of the names u mentioned above.
hahaha,not bad quitter!Never said owt about kessler being a legend u fool,just that he’d beat froch,very very easily.You keep mentioning clzaghe fighting manfredo but not,eubank,brewer,harris,reid,hopkins,jones, kessler.Who froch fought apart from a shot jermain taylor,pavlick had beat him twice and is a faded force now.If you are gonna make a case for froch beating calzaghe then you are even dafter than i first thought,get some learning done rent boy
I hope Froch beats Kessler but he must use his long jab like he did mid-rounds against Pascal, hell there was even some rounds against Taylor where although the rounds wernt very tidy he was winning rounds with his jab (in reality Taylor was only two rounds ahead going into the last round).
Kessler wont have Taylors speed though and that is what Froch struggled with. As for Dirrell, Froch would blast him into retirement
Why do all americans make out dirrell and ward are so good? Ward has only fought one named figter in miranda whohas already lost to abraham and pavlik, dirrell ha foght nobody at all so you cant say froch has fought noone and then not say anythin about thier lack of good fighters on thier records.
Hey Wesley Snipes and East side bum boy, this section is about Froch calling out Kessler. Not about you girls going out on a date.
Ha ha Blade boy… trying to be Wesley Snipes. Pathetic son… real pathetic. Calsucke beats the likes of Manfredos and old warriors. Besides… who the hell is Kessler and who has he fought to make him a legend? Get your info right. Hit the ring magazines, get your studying on bladey boy.. cause this is Eastside bumboy… the one and only. Ha ha sucka!
hahaha,look at quitter gettin all defensive,i hated calzaghe but the bloke aint lost amateur or pro.You an amateur quitter!If you know owt about boxing you would know kessler would have a field day against the worse defence in boxing!Eastside bumboy
Beware everybody! Here comes Blade throwing slaps like his idol Calsucke. Calsucke is a joke. And if he thinks he is a legend by beating 2 old warriors that were past their prime in Hopkins and Jones Jr., he must be a fool. Somebody take the box of Trix from him. Oh wait.. but Calsucke beat Peter Manfredo Jr! I am sorry that automatically qualifies him for the Hall of Shame! Wouldn’t dare to give Kessler a rematch and ran like girl when he saw the young lions coming at him.
swear you are all thickos on here,carl froch,don’t make me laugh.He’s from nottingham for a start.Not even good enough to spar with calzaghe let alone fight him,he get nowhere near him,one hitter quitter be better quiting and moving onto eastside with all other nobs!
If this is true… I love this Carl Froch dude! Look at him… calling out Kessler, like if he was a chump. I love this! Much props to Froch for stepping up and pointing at people to step in the ring with him.
i really hope froch doesnt enter this tourney thing. it will limit him and end a calzaghe return.
Now this is why you HAVE to rate Carl Froch. He doesnt believe in fighters ducking each other and more than money he wants to prove who the best really is and isnt afraid of losing. Carl Froch WILL fight anyone anywhere at any time. Boxing would be a far better sport if there were more fighters like Carl Foch!
As for these american idiots talking about ward and dirrel, Froch will destroy these nobodys
Seriously, you have Froch down as a pressure fighter?
I think you need to watch 23 of his last 25 fights (other than Pascal & Taylor) before writing a piece my friend.
Stylistically he is absolutely leagues apart from Andrade, other than owning a granite chin.
froch ,please keep ur hands up. not by ur ankles. and ur chin in not by the spot lights.
nice unbiased article…..
dnt get me wrong i really like froch as a person and a fighter, as you say he brings it all everytime and dnt believe in ducking the top fighters in his division! this is commendable as again like you say most champs do. the fact no1 wants to get in there with the top boys is 1of the factors ruining boxing. i bloody hate ufc but the one thing it has in its favour is the top boys fight the top boys.
froch will get in there with whoeva, no questions asked, hez a propa warrior! im just gutted he lacks the talent 2back it up, i hope he smashes kessler 2bits when and if they meet i really do, i just dnt think he will!!! kessler is top class and will be there all ngt, unlike taylor who decides he cnt be arsed after 4rounds. i gotta admit i almost had a heart attack thu joy when he knocked taylor out!
c’mon froch, mess kessler up, but plz raise that low left hand of urs or it ul be ova very soon!!
carl froch baby, tru englishman!!