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Hennessy Promotions star attraction, 'the Cobra' Carl Froch began in the paid ranks as arguably the hottest prospect in boxing and within a handful of paid fights you could see exactly why - patience, precision, power, punch variety, cat-like moves and the killer instinct of a hunter. The Super Middleweight has taken British boxing by storm in the last few years, picking up the Commonwealth title while still a novice pro and remaining unbeaten. He has big plans on the world stage, so remember the name. In the quick-fire interview, Carl Froch speaks openly about his boxing idols and his ultimate ambition.
Who is your boxing hero?
It has to be Roy Jones Jnr. He is in my opinion a fantastic boxer who mastered every aspect there was to know about the sport.
Do you model yourself on any other fighters?
Roy Jones Jnr, Naz and Tommy Hearns. I remember reading Chris Eubank pointing out once something about, as a philosophy, you take the best attributes from your favourite fighters and try to make them your own. So I think I'm a cross between Roy Jones Jnr, Naz and Tommy Hearns, if anything.
If you hadn't been a boxer, what would you have liked to to have done?
I would have probably tried to join the Royal Marines. I love discipline and I think I would have coped really well with Army life.
Boxing Achievements?
I won the ABA Middleweight title in 1999 and 2001.
Voted the 'Best Boxer' and the Gold Medal in a Multi Nations tournament in Denmark in 2001.
I won a bronze at Middleweight in the World Championships in 2001.
I am sure my amateur record is something like 88-8.
What are your favourite fights you have watched?
The first one was Naz versus Jose Badillo in Sheffield. Naz took him apart in one of the best technical displays I have seen from a boxer. He did not get a glove landed on him all night.
The second fight has to be Roy Jones Jnr against Johnny Ruiz, he really should of retired that night on top. RJJ showed his class and technical ability that night which proved he was the pound for pound best boxer in the world, bar none.
What are your best and worst moments of your boxing career so far?
The worst moment of my boxing career so far happened as an amateur in 2001. I was fighting in the World Championship semi final against a Russian called Andrei Gogolev. I had an extremely sore right thumb and had four fights in four days so I was already really knackered going into the fight. I had the Russian out on his feet in the first round and I know if I was remotely fresh I could have taken my opportunity and finished him. The frustrating thing is Gogolev went onto to win the World Amateur Champion title.
The best moment so far was probably when I boxed Valery Odin in front of my own fans at The Nottingham Ice Arena. The atmosphere was fantastic and to box in front of your home fans in a fantastic Arena is a privelege that any boxer dreams of. I think I put on a very good performance that night but did not get the recognition I thought I should from the media. People seem to forget Odin was ranked in the top 10 in this countries Light Heavyweight ratings. And he had a good win against Toks Owoh.
How do you set up your training regime?
I go for a big run at six in the morning, then get back and have a big bowl of porridge. I do my main training in the afternoon, with six weeks to go all heavy bag work is done and then it's all about sharpening up with sparring and stuff. I do strength training sessions on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening until six weeks out when I switch it to circuit training to sharpen up. My main sparring partner is Howard Eastman.
You have a degree in Sports Science, do you take that knowledge with you into your boxing?
I also have the best trainer in Europe in (Robert) McCracken.
Calzaghe or Lacy?
Oh, definately Lacy. He's the best super middleweight on the planet at the moment, although I plan on overtaking him. He's in good physical condition, lots of lean muscle tissue and doesn't have to starve himself to make weight like Calzaghe. He's working with gymnast trainers to help his flexibility. Very hungry, big puncher, and his hand speed is underrated. And he's always improving his defense in the gym I hear. He takes Calzaghe out, and I see him as my future rival. We were supposed to fight in the England vs USA match in 2001 but he had to pull out injured. I can't wait to fight him.
Where do you see yourself in three years time?
Unified world champion, and I want to retire on top. That's not unrealistic because I was ranked third or fourth in the world as an amateur and I'm a far better pro. I didn't even take training that seriously as an amateur, but I've been the most dedicated boxer in Britain since turning pro. Watch this space.
Who is your boxing hero?
It has to be Roy Jones Jnr. He is in my opinion a fantastic boxer who mastered every aspect there was to know about the sport.
Do you model yourself on any other fighters?
Roy Jones Jnr, Naz and Tommy Hearns. I remember reading Chris Eubank pointing out once something about, as a philosophy, you take the best attributes from your favourite fighters and try to make them your own. So I think I'm a cross between Roy Jones Jnr, Naz and Tommy Hearns, if anything.
If you hadn't been a boxer, what would you have liked to to have done?
I would have probably tried to join the Royal Marines. I love discipline and I think I would have coped really well with Army life.
Boxing Achievements?
I won the ABA Middleweight title in 1999 and 2001.
Voted the 'Best Boxer' and the Gold Medal in a Multi Nations tournament in Denmark in 2001.
I won a bronze at Middleweight in the World Championships in 2001.
I am sure my amateur record is something like 88-8.
What are your favourite fights you have watched?
The first one was Naz versus Jose Badillo in Sheffield. Naz took him apart in one of the best technical displays I have seen from a boxer. He did not get a glove landed on him all night.
The second fight has to be Roy Jones Jnr against Johnny Ruiz, he really should of retired that night on top. RJJ showed his class and technical ability that night which proved he was the pound for pound best boxer in the world, bar none.
What are your best and worst moments of your boxing career so far?
The worst moment of my boxing career so far happened as an amateur in 2001. I was fighting in the World Championship semi final against a Russian called Andrei Gogolev. I had an extremely sore right thumb and had four fights in four days so I was already really knackered going into the fight. I had the Russian out on his feet in the first round and I know if I was remotely fresh I could have taken my opportunity and finished him. The frustrating thing is Gogolev went onto to win the World Amateur Champion title.
The best moment so far was probably when I boxed Valery Odin in front of my own fans at The Nottingham Ice Arena. The atmosphere was fantastic and to box in front of your home fans in a fantastic Arena is a privelege that any boxer dreams of. I think I put on a very good performance that night but did not get the recognition I thought I should from the media. People seem to forget Odin was ranked in the top 10 in this countries Light Heavyweight ratings. And he had a good win against Toks Owoh.
How do you set up your training regime?
I go for a big run at six in the morning, then get back and have a big bowl of porridge. I do my main training in the afternoon, with six weeks to go all heavy bag work is done and then it's all about sharpening up with sparring and stuff. I do strength training sessions on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening until six weeks out when I switch it to circuit training to sharpen up. My main sparring partner is Howard Eastman.
You have a degree in Sports Science, do you take that knowledge with you into your boxing?
I also have the best trainer in Europe in (Robert) McCracken.
Calzaghe or Lacy?
Oh, definately Lacy. He's the best super middleweight on the planet at the moment, although I plan on overtaking him. He's in good physical condition, lots of lean muscle tissue and doesn't have to starve himself to make weight like Calzaghe. He's working with gymnast trainers to help his flexibility. Very hungry, big puncher, and his hand speed is underrated. And he's always improving his defense in the gym I hear. He takes Calzaghe out, and I see him as my future rival. We were supposed to fight in the England vs USA match in 2001 but he had to pull out injured. I can't wait to fight him.
Where do you see yourself in three years time?
Unified world champion, and I want to retire on top. That's not unrealistic because I was ranked third or fourth in the world as an amateur and I'm a far better pro. I didn't even take training that seriously as an amateur, but I've been the most dedicated boxer in Britain since turning pro. Watch this space.
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