Carl Froch has stated he believes his rematch with George Groves lit the touch paper for the resurgence of British boxing over the past decade.
With Anthony Joshua’s comeback fight against Jermaine Franklin announced recently, many online have been eulogising Joshua’s earlier career and putting forward that he is responsible for the strong position the sport finds itself in in the UK.
Froch, however, was not shy in airing his disagreement, speaking to Boxing Social, he said:
“Everything has to start somewhere. I strongly believe that my fight with George Groves, the rematch at Wembley Stadium in front of 80,000 fans, that was the catalyst that put British boxing back on the map.”
“After that, ‘AJ did a great job. He fought Klitschko at the same stadium and it was a great fight! It’s not a competition.”
“But let’s be honest, Eddie Hearn and Sky Sports’ injection into British boxing and my fight with George was the catalyst for where we are now.”
“British boxing would not be where it is today, if not for the Cobra – let’s make no mistake about that!”
Froch’s famous rematch against Groves set the record for highest attendance at a boxing event in the UK, but that is now held by Tyson Fury’s fight with Dillian Whyte at Wembley last April.
As for Joshua, he will look to recapture some of that early magic when he returns to the ring against Franklin, in what is seen as a make or break fight for the former unified world champion.
The American gave a good account of himself against Whyte last November, so ‘AJ’ be well aware he must be locked in at the 02 Arena if he is to have any aspirations of becoming three time heavyweight champion of the world.