Photo: Casino/SHOWTIME – By Wayne Lloyd: Tonight in Broadway Hall – Atlantic City – the WBC World Champion Carl Froch (28-1, 20 KOs) will take on the undefeated WBA World Champion Andre Ward (24-0, 13 KO’s) in what is set to be one of the most hotly anticipated showdowns off 2011.

Not only will the winner unify the division and become the undisputed Super Middleweight Champion of the world but they will also be catapulted to super-stardom as one of the top three pound for pound fighters on the planet. Both of these fighters have consistently fought the best opponents available over the last 3 years and so it is fitting that they are to challenge one another in the final of a competition that has been great for boxing overall.

One things strikes me as i have walked around Atlantic City over the past couple of days and that is that I cannot help but feel that these boxers are not getting the credit that they both undoubtedly deserve. I have not seen more than 4 posters around the Atlantic City whilst yesterday at Caesers Palace as I asked what time the weigh in was taking place it dawned on me that no one knew what I was talking about. The lady in reception looked dumb founded and had to make a couple of phone calls whilst I may as well have been speaking a foreign language to security. There does not seem to be any one around who realizes that one of the most important fights in boxing is happening right under their noses this Saturday night and I cannot help to feel slightly disappointed by the level of interest the fight is generating.

One thing I am sure of is that there is hype surrounding the fight back home in the United Kingdom and the pundits I have spoken with believe that Carl Froch is in very good shape going into this battle and I have to say that I agree with them. Since losing to Mikel Kessler on the 24 April 2010 we have seen another side to The ‘Cobra’ which many of us never knew existed. Against Arthur Abraham we saw a brawler that could actually take his time, concentrate and box for a full 12 rounds and I think against a fighter like Ward this is something that is going to be crucial. If Froch leaves himself open by throwing his trade mark bombs then Ward will pick him off all day long with fast hands’ and precision punches. We only have to look at his performance against Kessler to see that he fails to waste a punch for 12 rounds. If this happens and Froch does try to finish the job during the middle rounds then I can only see Ward winning on points.

As I mentioned; however, The ‘Cobras’ last two fights against Abraham and Taylor have shown Froch to be a much more disciplined fighter. Against Ward I think he will pick his moments and put the pressure on when he needs to and I think that this will be seen in the later rounds. The best way to slow down a fast puncher (bar knocking them out) is to work the body and raise their opponents hemoglobin. By doing this they can shut down their internal system and slow their movement. If Froch uses his power to work the body then I think he will have a great chance to finish Ward off in the later rounds. Indeed, the power of Froch is something that will definitely work in his favor although if we put some perspective on things then Carl Froch is no more powerful that Mikel Kessler was and Andre Ward was able to deal with that with relative ease. A long fighter; therefore, should be expected by all.

During their stare off yesterday it seemed to me that Ward was the most agitated of the two fighters although having spoken to him earlier in the day and seeing him walking around Caesers Palace he does look to be extremely focused on the job in hand. Carl Froch has been in a very confident and jovial mood all day and during an interview with a Canadian television company he talked about taking Lucian Bute out of Montreal and knocking him out. Carl Froch has never been short of confidence but I hope that he keeps the thoughts’ of his next fight out of him mind by this evening.

If the ‘Cobra’ keeps his concentration and does not enter the ring with too much of a wild style then I really think he can pick up a knock out in the later rounds. Should he go in looking for a knock out then I think Andre Ward will pick him off all day long and win on points. He definitely does not have the punching power to knock Froch out. With two opposing styles this makes for a very entertaining and unpredictable fight. I just hope that by the end of it the people of Atlantic City realize what a great spectacle their city will have put on for the boxing world.