Joe on... comparisons with Carl Froch and the debate on who is superior
“I saw the piece written in the Argus about missing the two generations of big pay days, but I don’t have any issues or insecurities about how I rank compared to any of the boxers, from Chris Eubank and Nigel Been to Carl Froch and George Groves.
“People say that Froch has had 13 world title defences, well I had 25. People say he’s a three time world champion, but that just means he lost twice, whereas I was undefeated. You can’t compare Carl Froch to me; it’s not a fair comparison.
“Carl has never been the best of the best. He wasn’t when he lost to Kessler and everyone now would acknowledge he’s not at the same level as Andre Ward.
“He (Froch) has struggled in the biggest examinations of his career, even against George Groves who was 19-0; you would say it could have gone either way.
“Mikkel Kessler was undefeated when I beat him, at the peak of his powers and then I went to America.
“As far as I am concerned there is no comparison. I finished at the top, I got there and stayed there and I honestly don’t believe a fight between us would even have been close.
“Carl has a good chin and he hits hard, but styles make fights and I’d have been much, much too fast for him.
“When I watch him fight it frustrates me, because I think what I could have done, but its all hindsight.
“Eubank, Collins and Benn all dipped at the end of their careers and that’s why I wouldn’t change anything.
“My time was my time; I can’t do anything to alter how history will view the names who I beat.
“For the Americans to give me the respect, which took years, I felt like I went out in dominant fashion and I can’t have regrets about that. But I suppose part of me wishes I could’ve fought and beaten Carl.”
“I saw the piece written in the Argus about missing the two generations of big pay days, but I don’t have any issues or insecurities about how I rank compared to any of the boxers, from Chris Eubank and Nigel Been to Carl Froch and George Groves.
“People say that Froch has had 13 world title defences, well I had 25. People say he’s a three time world champion, but that just means he lost twice, whereas I was undefeated. You can’t compare Carl Froch to me; it’s not a fair comparison.
“Carl has never been the best of the best. He wasn’t when he lost to Kessler and everyone now would acknowledge he’s not at the same level as Andre Ward.
“He (Froch) has struggled in the biggest examinations of his career, even against George Groves who was 19-0; you would say it could have gone either way.
“Mikkel Kessler was undefeated when I beat him, at the peak of his powers and then I went to America.
“As far as I am concerned there is no comparison. I finished at the top, I got there and stayed there and I honestly don’t believe a fight between us would even have been close.
“Carl has a good chin and he hits hard, but styles make fights and I’d have been much, much too fast for him.
“When I watch him fight it frustrates me, because I think what I could have done, but its all hindsight.
“Eubank, Collins and Benn all dipped at the end of their careers and that’s why I wouldn’t change anything.
“My time was my time; I can’t do anything to alter how history will view the names who I beat.
“For the Americans to give me the respect, which took years, I felt like I went out in dominant fashion and I can’t have regrets about that. But I suppose part of me wishes I could’ve fought and beaten Carl.”
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