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With the elation of victory gradually subsiding two words pushed their way to the forefront of Carl ‘The Cobra’ Froch’s Consciousness, those words? Joe Calzaghe.
Carl Froch’s relentless pursuit of Joe Calzaghe has left fans torn. Froch’s lack of respect to a man many fans regard as the best British fighter of his generation has alienated many fight fans. Whilst others can only admire Froch’s ambition and unquenchable thirst for recognition, an ambition that many Calzaghe detractors doubted that the Welshman himself ever had. That thirst for recognition had led him to the Foxwoods Casino in Machantucket and into the opposite corner from former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor.
Froch conceded home-advantage to his mandatory challenger in what can be considered an unprecedented move by a British fighter. Froch had accepted a purse reported to be around £700,000, not a sparse sum-but a sum that could feasibly be matched by a couple of defences in Froch’s comfort-zone of Nottingham against less decorated and less dangerous fighters than Jermain Taylor. With negotiations reportedly close to breaking point several times before the fight was signed and sealed, the easy route stood provocatively in front of Carl Froch and he never wavered. Carl Froch would give himself the opportunity to let his reputation have a chance to catch-up with the one set by his mouth. Froch made no secret that he heaps pressure on himself through countless statements that: confuse, delight or annoy depending on your viewpoint. The bold statements of intent are not merely idle chatter- they serve the dual purpose of: creating interest in Carl Froch and setting standards that Froch will have to aspire to or be left looking like a dog that was all bark and no bite.
With Jermain rendered unable to defend himself and the referee having waved of the contest with just 14-seconds left in the 12th and final round-the dog had bitten.
Whilst for long periods Jermain Taylor: befuddled, out-boxed and outclassed Carl Froch, the Nottingham ****er showed the resilience and heart of a real fighter: a fighter that would not be denied, a fighter that would fight to the very last second of the very last round. The assured nature that Carl Froch ultimately dispatched Taylor was a bold statement it was a statement that said unequivocally and resoundingly: this guy is a dangerous fighter. And this after being dumped to the canvas for the first time in his career and receiving more flush right-hands than a sick person receives g****s. It was a statement that would have been heard loud and clear by a certain Welshman too.
Minutes after a devastating late knockout of Jermain Taylor, Carl Froch once again called out Joe Calzaghe, and Joe Calzaghe would have had to have taken him seriously.
Carl Froch’s relentless pursuit of Joe Calzaghe has left fans torn. Froch’s lack of respect to a man many fans regard as the best British fighter of his generation has alienated many fight fans. Whilst others can only admire Froch’s ambition and unquenchable thirst for recognition, an ambition that many Calzaghe detractors doubted that the Welshman himself ever had. That thirst for recognition had led him to the Foxwoods Casino in Machantucket and into the opposite corner from former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor.
Froch conceded home-advantage to his mandatory challenger in what can be considered an unprecedented move by a British fighter. Froch had accepted a purse reported to be around £700,000, not a sparse sum-but a sum that could feasibly be matched by a couple of defences in Froch’s comfort-zone of Nottingham against less decorated and less dangerous fighters than Jermain Taylor. With negotiations reportedly close to breaking point several times before the fight was signed and sealed, the easy route stood provocatively in front of Carl Froch and he never wavered. Carl Froch would give himself the opportunity to let his reputation have a chance to catch-up with the one set by his mouth. Froch made no secret that he heaps pressure on himself through countless statements that: confuse, delight or annoy depending on your viewpoint. The bold statements of intent are not merely idle chatter- they serve the dual purpose of: creating interest in Carl Froch and setting standards that Froch will have to aspire to or be left looking like a dog that was all bark and no bite.
With Jermain rendered unable to defend himself and the referee having waved of the contest with just 14-seconds left in the 12th and final round-the dog had bitten.
Whilst for long periods Jermain Taylor: befuddled, out-boxed and outclassed Carl Froch, the Nottingham ****er showed the resilience and heart of a real fighter: a fighter that would not be denied, a fighter that would fight to the very last second of the very last round. The assured nature that Carl Froch ultimately dispatched Taylor was a bold statement it was a statement that said unequivocally and resoundingly: this guy is a dangerous fighter. And this after being dumped to the canvas for the first time in his career and receiving more flush right-hands than a sick person receives g****s. It was a statement that would have been heard loud and clear by a certain Welshman too.
Minutes after a devastating late knockout of Jermain Taylor, Carl Froch once again called out Joe Calzaghe, and Joe Calzaghe would have had to have taken him seriously.
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