Peter Quillin Talks Sparring with Carl Froch in New York

By Ryan Maquiñana

WBC super middleweight champ Carl “The Cobra” Froch has been sparring with middleweight contender Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin, and the New Yorker feels the Englishman has more than a fighting chance to win his Dec. 17 date with WBA boss Andre “S.O.G.” Ward in Atlantic City.

“A lot of people don’t give him a shot to win, but if he didn’t have a chance, you wouldn’t see this buzz behind this fight,” Quillin told BoxingScene.com from the Trinity Boxing Club in New York City. “I hit him with some big shots and he never shows any sign of pain.  Right when I hit him with a good shot, I can’t pose because I know he’ll come right back.  He’s in great shape right now.”

Froch (28-1, 20 KOs) is entering the final stages of preparation for Ward (24-0, 13 KOs), where over the past week he has also sparred with an unnamed cruiserweight, doing anywhere from a combined eight to 12 rounds depending on the day.

“Carl has an awkward style.  He throws punches from all over.  As long as he hits you with them, that’s O.K. with him,” Quillin said.  “It’s not like a standard jab, cross, left hook, uppercut.  He’ll start with an overhand right, maybe he’ll throw left hooks…he’ll throw everything to get you off-balance.”

Quillin not only commented on his stylistic observations of Froch but also to address misconceptions on the Englishman’s demeanor, one that has been labeled as abrasive by some.

“This guy is totally not the guy people make him out to be,” he added.  “He’s down to earth, and I feel like when I talk to him, it’s like I’ve known him for years.  I like people like that.  Things are different when it comes to fighting, and he’s just a competitor.”

Quillin (26-0, 20 KOs) is on the rise in his own right, having made a successful debut on HBO last month in a sixth-round stoppage of Craig McEwan.  The Cuban-American is hoping for a title shot early next year.

“Things are under wraps right now as far as who I’m fighting next, but I’m staying in shape and staying ready,” he said.  “I’m ready to go whenever they call me.”

Ryan Maquiñana is the boxing correspondent at Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America, and Ring Magazine’s Ratings Advisory Panel.  E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com, check out his blog at www.maqdown.com or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.