Hometown advantage in boxing?

By Omar Torres - 05/28/2013 - Comments

froch644By Omar Torres: IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch (31-2, 22 KO’s) has been quoted saying that he can beat Andre Ward in his hometown of England. But last I remember a squared circle is a squared circle where ever it is. I understand that the fans are behind their hometown hero and may fuel him to win, but I think it can work the other way around for the visiting boxer.

He can be fueled by the boo’s and the hate and also with the idea of knocking out the hometown hero in front of his own fans. I think when it comes to boxing It’s non-sense to say that you can beat someone in your home turf because a boxers skill sets are the same where ever they go.

The only sport I can think of that can give you a real home field advantage is Baseball with It’s different dimensions in each ball park. When Mikkel Kessler beat Carl Froch in their first meeting, Kessler beat Froch with his constant pressure and being the aggressor, controlling the fight and hitting Froch with his hard shots, he won not because he was in Denmark.

Also this last Saturday’s fight was won by Froch due to his abilities, controlling the fight, connecting his punches weaving Kesslers heavy hooks, winning the fight but not due to the fact the he was in the U.K. So let’s hope that when and if negotiations go down for Ward vs. Froch 2, location isn’t the issue and the fight goes on.



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