Carl Froch: Andre Ward 'open' to rematch with British fighter

[Kris Silver]

Carl Froch: Andre Ward 'open' to rematch with British fighter

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/boxing/25115200

WBA super-middleweight champion Andre Ward is "open" to a rematch with Carl Froch, but does not believe the Briton wants to fight him again.

The 29-year-old American beat Froch, who holds the IBF belt, on points in Atlantic City in 2011.

In his latest fight Froch, 36, secured a controversial ninth-round stoppage of George Groves on Saturday.

"From a legacy standpoint, Froch needs me more than I need him," Ward told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I can go off and fight other guys and never mention Carl Froch's name again."

Ward, who has won all 27 of his professional fights, fears he could be the victim of a poor decision if the bout took place in Britain.
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Stoppage was unjust - Groves

Froch's defeat of Groves in Manchester, the 32nd victory in his 34 fights, came when his opponent was leading on all three judges' cards.

Groves believes his countryman will lose his "credibility" if he does not agree to a rematch with him after the "unjust" stoppage.

Ward said: "I'm not concerned about fighting in front of his fans, but it is about not getting a fair shake. I've realistic concerns.

"Like I said, it's my legacy at stake if he didn't beat me, but if something happens like in the Groves fight then that is tough to live down. It's a lot of moving pieces."

Ward admitted there has been exploratory discussions over a rematch with Froch since he beat Edwin Rodriguez on points in a non-title super-middleweight fight earlier this month.

"I know that my promoter [Dan Goossen] has contacted his promoter to see what interest there is," added Ward.

"The initial conversation took place after Froch's rematch with Mikkel Kessler [in May], but I was still injured and we couldn't move forward then the way we wanted to.

"I don't know all the detail, but I've been in the game long enough to know if both sides want a fight to be made, the fight will be made."

[FrankieBruno]

Ward said: "I'm not concerned about fighting in front of his fans, but it is about not getting a fair shake. I've realistic concerns.

"Like I said, it's my legacy at stake if he didn't beat me, but if something happens like in the Groves fight then that is tough to live down. It's a lot of moving pieces."

Ward might of been two ways about coming to the UK to fight Froch, but after Saturdays shenanigans he will stay clear of coming over here, Hern and co will stich him up proper.

I don't blame him, he should stay well clear of fighting in the UK as should all foreign fighters who come to fight Hern fighters

[yoz]

Ward said: "I'm not concerned about fighting in front of his fans, but it is about not getting a fair shake. I've realistic concerns.

"Like I said, it's my legacy at stake if he didn't beat me, but if something happens like in the Groves fight then that is tough to live down. It's a lot of moving pieces."

Ward might of been two ways about coming to the UK to fight Froch, but after Saturdays shenanigans he will stay clear of coming over here, Hern and co will stich him up proper.

I don't blame him, he should stay well clear of fighting in the UK as should all foreign fighters who come to fight Hern fighters

I don't know why you're so upset. Did you lose a lot of money on the fight, or something? Are you personally connected to Groves or Hayemaker?

Carl is a man of his word. He'll rematch George.

[FrankieBruno]

I don't know why you're so upset. Did you lose a lot of money on the fight, or something? Are you personally connected to Groves or Hayemaker?

Carl is a man of his word. He'll rematch George.

You can look back through my history ive stated this time and time again about Herns fighters, he pays a bung to the judges to balance the cards out so we get a draw or unjust win

Ward will be ****ed over hard and proper if he doesn't knock out Froch

Any respectable boxer with a name and brand to protect will avoid Hern and co

If Froch wants the fight go over to Vegas

[BetterCallSaul]

Screw Ward. Nobody wants to see him fight. I'd rather see a Froch vs GG rematch or Froch vs GGG.

You can say what you want about British officials, but George Groves was tremendously hurt in round 9, even if I think the fight was stopped early. Oakland officials allowed Ward to brutalize Kessler with headbutts. There is no way Froch needs to fight Ward in the U.S. If Ward isn't willing to leave his hometown, then I would rather Froch fight someone else. Ward is the one with nowhere to go. Froch is a PPV level attraction in the UK and sells out arenas. Ward has to give tickets away.

[DonSimon87]

You can look back through my history ive stated this time and time again about Herns fighters, he pays a bung to the judges to balance the cards out so we get a draw or unjust win

Ward will be ****ed over hard and proper if he doesn't knock out Froch

Any respectable boxer with a name and brand to protect will avoid Hern and co

If Froch wants the fight go over to Vegas

Can you name these fights as none immediately spring to mind.

But I agree, there's no need for Ward to come here. Maybe have the fight in New York - I can't see it being big enough for Vegas.

[Furn]

Ward v Groves thanks.

[Cobra_]

Because of idiots in this thread, refs are going to go overboard now and let a fight go on too long and someone gets killed again. I'm glad non of you guys are refs.

[Furn]

Because of idiots in this thread, refs are going to go overboard now and let a fight go on too long and someone gets killed again. I'm glad non of you guys are refs.

It was a bs stoppage and it probably robbed Froch more than Groves.

[Cleaver]

Problem is Ward is a harder fight than Groves but the general British public won't get behind it. Not talking about the trolls on here that would somehow spin it that he was ducking Groves to fight Ward, but talking numbers it won't make the same kind of money.

Froch and McCracken have both come out and said the stoppage was inevitable, so you'd think they'd have no problem delivering the rematch, lining their pockets and getting that clear cut finish in the process.

Also Ward hasn't peaked yet.