Froch has a BIG Shot at greatness

[soul_survivor]

I like Carl Froch, I 'm a huge fan, I like his style, I like his attitude, I like his power, his chin...the man is one of the leading fighters on the planet over the last 5-6 years. A top champion who did it the hard way.

Sadly, even though he can compete with them all, he lives under the shadows of some of Britain's best over the last 2 decades, the likes of Calzaghe, Eubank, Benn, Naz...all these guys went out there and snatched greatness at varying stages in their careers. Froch has come so close on two occasions, the first Kessler fight and the Ward fight. Froch took another big step by annihilating the previously unbeaten Bute, who had looked so dominant in the build up to that fight, even the UK bookies had Froch as the underdog.

I'm not sure if Froch could ever beat Ward, but that's ok, the great Ali could never figure out Norton and Holyfield never quite bested Bowe but Froch has a real chance at greatness by fighting Stevenson up at 175. I hope Froch shows just a little bit more ambition, moves up in weight (I know he always talks up how comfortable he is at 168) and beats Stevenson. He'll become the lineal LHW champion and a fight with either of Hopkins or Kov after that, both are very winnable for the Nottingham man and ****, Froch is amongst the best of his generation.

What do you all think? I hope hearn makes this happen.

[Weebler I]

Froch isn't moving up, and I'm afraid beating Stevenson does not signify greatness.

Stevenson would move down for that fight though. I'm almost certain of that.

[soul_survivor]

Froch isn't moving up, and beating Stevenson does not signify greatness.

On it's own, no it doesn't but he would have beaten the best light heavy out there, and Stevenson isn't the man by default, he did it by beating the man, that's rare in modern boxing. Add the lineal LHW championship of the world to 3 world titles at SMW and a resume which features wins over EVERY relevant 168 pound fighter over the last decade except Ward and you have a man with a very good argument for being considered great.

Add a win over Hopkins or Kovalev, guys who make up the rest of the top 3 available LHWs and what more can you ask of Froch?

I know resume isn't everything for greatness but in my opinion it is the primary factor, who you beat has to top everything else. But in terms of skill, both offensive and defensive, Froch is a pretty damn good boxer, he is often underrated cos we all love speaking about his heart and chin but the guy schooled AA, he outboxed Kessler in the second fight but can go to war when he has to, just ask Pascal, Johnson and Taylor.

I don't know what else he needs to do to be great. And I don't use that word lightly.

[IronDanHamza]

I wonder if Stevenson would be interested in returning to 168.

Probably not considering he's got options at 175 especially the Bute-Pascal fight but the Froch fight would be fireworks.

[Bushidō]

Froch just seems vulnerable to lose in every fight. Props to him for racking up the wins.

[RIpitRon]

Froch and Greatness is Like Jumbo Shrimp.................they really dont belong together! Tough guy with a good jab but very limited skill set! Another 2 level boxer out of Europe!

[Weebler I]

On it's own, no it doesn't but he would have beaten the best light heavy out there, and Stevenson isn't the man by default, he did it by beating the man, that's rare in modern boxing. Add the lineal LHW championship of the world to 3 world titles at SMW and a resume which features wins over EVERY relevant 168 pound fighter over the last decade except Ward and you have a man with a very good argument for being considered great.

Add a win over Hopkins or Kovalev, guys who make up the rest of the top 3 available LHWs and what more can you ask of Froch?

I know resume isn't everything for greatness but in my opinion it is the primary factor, who you beat has to top everything else. But in terms of skill, both offensive and defensive, Froch is a pretty damn good boxer, he is often underrated cos we all love speaking about his heart and chin but the guy schooled AA, he outboxed Kessler in the second fight but can go to war when he has to, just ask Pascal, Johnson and Taylor.

I don't know what else he needs to do to be great. And I don't use that word lightly.

He has said repeatedly that he's not moving up though. If the Groves-Froch PPV goes well, I can see the likes of Stevenson, Hopkins and maybe even Kovalev dropping to 168lbs to fight him.

Froch and Greatness is Like Jumbo Shrimp.................they really dont belong together! Tough guy with a good jab but very limited skill set! Another 2 level boxer out of Europe!

In assessing greatness perception of skills doesn't matter, all that matters are the wins on his record.

I say perception, because we can only perceive because we're not in the ring with him to know how skilled he is. On the face of it Wladimir doesn't look that skilled either, it seems like he just sits behind the jab but the reality is he's very skilled. They consistently win fights for a reason.

[RIpitRon]

He has said repeatedly that he's not moving up though. If the Groves-Froch PPV goes well, I can see the likes of Stevenson, Hopkins and maybe even Kovalev dropping to 168lbs to fight him.



In assessing greatness perception of skills doesn't matter, all that matters are the wins on his record.

I say perception, because we can only perceive because we're not in the ring to know how skilled he is.

I couldnt disagree more!!!

It isnt how many you win it is how many and how you win! He is a over achiever at least, but he isnt a very skilled boxer, he has a couple of great attributes that gives him the ability to squeak out fights. He is somewhere in the top 50 class B fighter of all time but that does not constitute as greatness!

[soul_survivor]

I couldnt disagree more!!!

It isnt how many you win it is how many and how you win! He is a over achiever at least, but he isnt a very skilled boxer, he has a couple of great attributes that gives him the ability to squeak out fights. He is somewhere in the top 50 class B fighter of all time but that does not constitute as greatness!

Really? He destroyed the best SMW not named Ward, he beat Kessler easily in the rematch, he had a couple tough fights against Taylor and Dirrel but both men were exceptional boxers and Taylor had great wins over Hopkins and Wright. Then Floyd beat AA better than Dirrel or Ward ever managed.

So Froch is obviously skilled, anyone who has ever faced him talks of how deceptively quick he is and how he throws punches at weird angles. If Froch was just a b level opponent he would never have beaten a long list of top level guys, it's not not possible. He would have capped off like Mora or Chavez Jr or Corley etc.

[Weebler I]

I couldnt disagree more!!!

It isnt how many you win it is how many and how you win! He is a over achiever at least, but he isnt a very skilled boxer, he has a couple of great attributes that gives him the ability to squeak out fights. He is somewhere in the top 50 class B fighter of all time but that does not constitute as greatness!

It's not how you win, it's winning period. It's getting the names on the resume with the 'W' beside them.

Do you know what it takes to consistently get in against top opponent back to back and emerge victorious? I don't either but Froch does, and you don't achieve that without good skills no matter how it may come across on television.