By Terence Dooley
Nottingham's Carl Froch, 32, stands alone as Britain's only current world title holder. However, the WBC super-middleweight boss believes that he will soon be joined by Bolton's Amir Khan. Froch told The Sun that Khan will relieve Andreas Kotelnik of his WBA light-welterweight title on the 18th of this month.
“I've not seen too much of Kotelnik but I know he's not a massive banger. He's not a big, big puncher so that gives Khan a much better chance,” said Froch. “Khan's a good fighter. He's got very fast hands, he's well schooled and he's got the right trainer now in Freddie Roach. He's a focused young man and has got plenty of ability,” he continued, before adding.
“So far he's proven he can fight at a certain level but now he's got to prove he can do it at world level. If Khan can keep himself out of harm's way and display his usual workrate, he should nick a points decision. I can't see him stopping Kotelnik — and there's always that question mark over his chin — but I think he'll pull it off.”
Froch warned Khan that he should not consider a fight with Ricky Hatton. Should Khan win the title from Kotelnik a Khan-Hatton battle would seem a natural, but Froch has his doubts.
“Hatton's talking about having one last hurrah and I can't see that being against Khan,” he opined. “But if he does decide to box on and does well in his next fight, who knows? Hatton's young enough to carry on for a few years if he wants to and a fight with Khan might be what the British fans demand. If it makes financial sense I think they'll get it on, but realistically I can't see it happening.”
He added: “If they did fight, I think Hatton would be too tough and too strong for Khan. Hatton's a rough, tough seasoned professional while Khan's still got a lot to learn. Let's see if Khan gets through Kotelnik first and then we can talk about him facing Hatton.”
The gregarious Froch also told The Sun that he was disappointed to see Hatton receive such a high volume of criticism in the wake of his two-round destruction at the hands of Manny Pacquiao. Froch believes that The Hitman should fight one last time, and bid a winning adieu to the sport.
“I hope Hatton has one last fight and then turns it in because he's achieved so much in the sport. I've got so much respect for him and I'd hate him to see him get hurt,” he said. “He got hurt against Pacquiao but it could have been a lot worse. It's ridiculous that he says he's embarrassed by that fight because that's always going to be the result if Pacquiao catches someone flush on the chin.”
Froch is looking for a fight himself; his star is on the rise after his stunning wins over Jean Pascal and Jermain Taylor. With the likes of Allan Green calling him out, Froch is finding out what being the champ is all about, it is good to be king.
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