By Mark Vester
WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch is claiming that Andre Dirrell fought in a certain manner to steal rounds and swerve the judges to win a decision. Froch won a close split decision over Dirrell last Saturday night in Nottingham, England. There has been a lot of controversy over which fighter deserved the decision. Froch says Dirrell was afraid of being hit and stayed on the run for the entire twelve rounds, making their contest very ugly.
"Quite simply, I came to fight but Andre Dirrell didn't. He ran and ran and ran. He isn't a massive puncher himself and I think he was scared of my power. I must admit that I didn't expect him to be so timid and it threw me a bit. I had to change my game-plan and adapt my style," Froch told thisisnottingham.
"There were a few times that I thought I had him. I just missed him by a whisker. Believe me, if I had connected it would have been lights out. But, in the end, I beat a slick, defensive boxer at his own game. Styles make fights and it was unfortunate that this one was so messy. He was almost as bad as Matthew Barney and that's saying something. But what could I do? Dirrell came to spoil and hold and try to steal a decision. And it almost worked. But almost is not good enough in this game.
Froch was upset with his own performance and hopes to put on a much better showcase when he fights WBA champion Mikkel Kessler in early 2010.
"I was a little disappointed with my overall performance. But I'm still the champion. And, at the end of the day, that's all that counts. And the knowledgeable Nottingham fans played their part in that. I was aware of the noise building up while I was preparing in the dressing room. It was a fantastic atmosphere. And they then kept me focused in the ring. Kessler is a proud warrior who will stand and fight and give television viewers what they want. I can hardly wait."
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