By @BoxingMuse: Boxing in the 1970’s and early 1980’s established the state of Las Vegas, Nevada as the ‘Fight Capital of the World’. A championship fight in Vegas signifies a landmark in a boxer’s career, when their name is up in lights on the billboards and sides of hotels, this is the pinnacle of their life as prizefighters.
Nationality aside, it is a major honor to lace your gloves up and box in the ‘Sin City’. British fighters have had mixed fortunes in Vegas but it doesn’t take away from the fact it is a dream for a fighter to get the opportunity.
Ricky Hatton fought five times in Vegas, including his two legendary and unforgettable losses with two pound for pound greats Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao. Joe Calzaghe outpointed Bernard Hopkins at the Thomas and Mack centre. Prince Naseem lost his unbeaten record to a prime Marco Antonio Barrera at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Lennox Lewis fought and won in Vegas many times, including the Holyfield rematch and his emphatic revenge knockout over Oliver McCall.
Frank Bruno fought the ‘Baddest man on the planet’ twice in Vegas. Nigel Benn knocked out Iran Barkley at Bally’s in Las Vegas in 1990 for the WBO middleweight crown. Barry McGuigan lost a 15 round ‘Fight of the Year’ battle with Steve Cruz for the WBA featherweight title in 1986.
Although ‘The Cobra’ has had the chance to box in America, his four dates in the states were at the Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City against Andre Ward and Glen Johnson, Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut where he scored a last round knockout victory over Jermain Taylor and his 15th professional fight was set in California versus Costa Rican Henry Porras .
If anyone in the sport has earned the right to box under the bright Las Vegas lights then it is Carl Froch, ‘The Sheriff of Nottingham’ has fought boxing’s elite since 2008. Despite the controversial ending of his domestic dust up against George Groves and seemingly unfinished business, I still believe before Carl’s career is over he should headline a card in Vegas. If this was not possible then at least he could perform at the Madison Square Garden in New York.
Both of the main networks in America have regard Froch highly, Showtime and HBO have broadcasted a number of his fights and his brawling crowd pleasing style is sure to entertain on one of the biggest stages in boxing.
The most obvious opponents would be Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. although he has reportedly signed up for a rematch with Brian Vera, Gennady Golovkin who is looking for an opponent for February and Bernard Hopkins at 175lbs who is surely seeking a bigger challenge after his easy victory over Karo Murat.
Time will tell if Froch v Groves 2 materializes, which there is already huge demand for. Putting his performance aside in the Groves fight I can’t help but feel Froch’s legacy would be enhanced with a big fight night in Las Vegas.
What is your opinion on potential Froch fight in Vegas?, feel free to follow and tweet me @BoxingMuse to let me know what you think.
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