Carl “The Cobra” Froch: Doing the UK Proud Whatever Happens

By Chris Kelly: Whilst the Boxing press and media tend to favour the likes of Amir Khan and David Haye, there is another World Champion from these shores who is humbly securing his place in boxing history. Nottingham’s Carl Froch may receive relatively little publicity in comparison to his countrymen and fellow World Champions but this certainly does not diminish his accomplishments.

The talented super-middleweight joined the professional ranks at the relatively late age of 25. He has since then accomplished an array of impressive feats in only seven years as a professional. His first major achievement came in 2003 when he stopped Alan Page to claim the vacant English Super-middleweight title. Froch would go on to capture Charles Adamu’s commonwealth title along with the vacant British title. Froch then established complete domestic supremacy at domestic level with stoppage victories over the tough, durable Brian Magee and former World Champion Robin Reid.

Having cleaned at on the domestic scene, it was time for the cobra to move on to bigger and better things: Headlining at Nottingham’s Trent FM Arena against Jean Pascal for the vacant WBC Super-Middleweight Title. Froch came through a grueling twelve rounds in a thrilling contest to become the Champion in a bout that would later earn the accolade of Fight of the Year. Pascal would go on to become the WBC Light-Heavyweight Champion just two fights later.

As impressive as this victory was, it was the events that would follow that truly made the Nottingham man a hero. His first priority as champion was to defend the belt away from home against the former undisputed world champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor. A bout that Froch not only willingly accepted but anticipated with eager excitement at the chance to mix with one of the world’s top middleweights. Although Froch suffered a third round knockdown (the first of his entire boxing career) and was behind on points he was able to score a knockdown in the twelfth round before unleashing a devastating flurry of punches that to which Taylor was unable to respond forcing the ref to step in and stop the fight in its dying seconds. This emphatic victory against the talented and experienced Taylor catapulted Froch into the limelight and established him as a serious threat to the other Champions of his division.

Froch then sought out the very best his division had to offer yet again by entering the super six tournament. Froch’s excellent start to the tournament against the hyped American Andre Direll served to render him as an outside favourite to win.

Whilst Carl may not have the big time star credentials of the likes of Khan and Haye he deserves the utmost respect for his constant desire to take on the best around. Froch may not be the most talented or technically gifted boxer on the planet but his iron chin; solid power and fighter’s heart have earned him his spot and his titles. He is a true modern day warrior and in fighting and beating some of the top super-middleweights in the world, many of whom possess much greater skills than he, he has secured his place amongst greats like Benny Lynch, Ken Buchanan and Henry Cooper.

Win or loose against Mikel Kessler, Carl Froch, we thank you for representing your home nations so well.

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