The most common criticism of boxing is that fans are often starved of the match-ups they truly want to see, the best and biggest names in the sport taking each other on – and Carl Froch believes it may be the fighters at fault.
No such accusation could be thrown towards former super middleweight world champion Froch, who took on all comers during his glittering hall of fame career.
And, speaking on his YouTube channel Froch on Fighting, ‘The Cobra’ called into question the desire of certain modern fighters to make the biggest fights – namely those in the heavyweight division.
“I just want to be remembered as someone who was willing to take on anyone. We’re in a time in boxing where we’re not seeing the big fights happening.”
“We’re not seeing Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua, or Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk or Joshua vs Deontay Wilder. They’re trying to make these fights, but it’s so difficult for these fights to happen.”
“A lot of the time, it is down to the fighter. A fighter will say, “I want to fight him, I’ve sent the contract.” But they’ll put in these parameters, like a 70/30 split, or they’ll say, “I want the fight to happen here.” ”
“You do have to wonder if some of these fighters actually want to fight each other.”
Saudi Arabia’s Skill Challenge Entertainment is keen to stage both mammoth bouts mentioned by Froch.
Joshua vs Wilder is believed to be looking more likely at this stage, with ‘AJ’s fight against Dillian Whyte the final test before paperwork can be signed to face the American.
Fury is now facing Francis Ngannou in Saudi in October, two months after Usyk defends his unified titles against Daniel Dubois. The pair will be expected to try and negotiate the undisputed bout against should they remain champions.