By Edward Chaykovsky
Carl 'The Cobra' Froch is doubling down on his position that IBF/IBO/WBA/WBC middleweight champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin (35-0, 32KOs) is not the best fighter in the world - or even among the top five.
As previously reported on BoxingScene.com, Froch placed Golovkin in the number eight position on his top ten pound-for-pound list. Golovkin is ranked on most respected lists in the top five.
"The one thing I do know is Gennady Golovkin is in for the toughest test of his career so far. Yes, he is one of the best fighters out there, but the fact that I had him 8th in my pound-for-pound shows you I do not think he is the best around," Froch told Sky Sports. "That may be because we haven't really seen him in with anyone who could really push him, but that is one thing I am looking forward to seeing on Saturday. We will learn more about Golovkin."
While Froch is not tabbing Golovkin as the best fighter around, he is still finding it hard to explain how IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook (36-0, 25KOs) will secure the victory this Saturday's fight. He actually picks Brook to win, but also steps away from that selection while breaking down the fight.
Golovkin will defend three of his four belts against Brook at the O2 Arena in London. Brook is moving up by thirteen pounds to the middleweight limit of 160. HBO and Sky Sports Box Office will showcase the fight.
Froch actually sparred with Brook in the past and says the Sheffield boxer is not the easiest fighter to hit with punches. He feels Brook is capable of creating a lot of problems for Golovkin.
"I'm like most people, I want Kell to win, but it's hard to see how. Will he win? Here and now, I would say yes, but regardless of going up to middleweight, Kell is in a no-lose situation and I do know, and please excuse the pun, the lad is Special," Froch said.
"When it comes to his defence, his range and his timing, he is a nightmare. I know it was a few years ago as I was getting ready to fight Andre Dirrell, but I sparred with Kell and I did not enjoy it in the slightest."
"Kell was awkward, he was impossible to hit and although it was only two or three rounds, I do remember thinking 'this kid is going to go all the way and become a world champion.' We will see if Kell causes him the nightmare I had back in 2009. We will see just how good Golovkin actually is because I do think he will see some of the things I did back then."
