Wegner: “I don’t think he [Froch] realizes how hard Arthur can punch”

By Scott Gilfloid: Uli Wegner, the trainer for former IBF middleweight champion Arthur Abraham (31-1, 25 KO’s), thinks Carl Froch (26-1, 20 KO’s) is in trouble next month in their stage 3 Super Six tournament fight at the Hartwall Arena, in Helsinki, Finland. Wegner says “I don’t think he [Froch] realizes how hard Arthur can punch. We have prepared well for Froch. We have analyzed him closely and know that he is a dangerous opponent. It will be a spectacular evening for the fnas, not just in Helsinki, but all over the world. But he will not beat Arthur.” I agree with Wener 100%.

Froch has no chance of beating Abraham, not the way he fights with his low guard and his tendency to want to slug it out with everyone he fights. Froch still has the mentality where he thinks he can simply over power everyone. It’s the kind of thinking that comes from being the big fish in a small pond. Froch is to used to steam rolling over the soft opposition in the UK, and doesn’t seem to have made any adjustments in his game now that he’s moved up to world class opposition.

Froch was poised to lose the fight to Jermain Taylor last year, but pulled out the win with a last second knockout. Froch should have lost to Andre Dirrell, but was given a controversial 12 round split decision win while fighting in front of his home crowd in Nottingham, England. And then Froch was finally legitimately beaten by Mikkel Kessler in a 12 round decision defeat in April. Froch could easily have lost his last three fights. Instead of making any changes, Froch will no doubt be the same fighter he’s always been come November 27th when he takes on Abraham.

What this means is that instead of trying to use his superior height and reach to his advantage against Abraham, the way that Dirrell did, Froch will likely stand rooted to one spot and will try to slug it out with Abraham. This will make things very easy for Abraham to land his clubbing powerhouse shots. I expect Froch to get staggered and then decapitated by one of Abraham’s tremendous right hands. This is going to be one of those highlight reel knockouts where Froch flat on his back, with both feet trembling and his arms convulsed and sticking straight up in the air. I hope I’m wrong, but that’s the way I see it. Froch won’t use his head and try and out-box Abraham and will pay the price by trying to slug it out with him.

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