Carl Froch has predicted a fantasy fight between himself and Tony Bellew, and detailed their intense sparring sessions in doing so.
Although he didn’t stick around in the amateurs for too long himself, Froch’s relationship with coach Rob McCracken – also Performance Director for Team GB – saw him training out of the facilities in Sheffield and benefiting from sparring with the country’s very best.
One of those fighters was Bellew, and Froch talked up their sessions as legendary on his YouTube channel.
“Sparring with Tony Bellew over the years was so intense … We made it like a fight atmosphere. I tell you what, we could’ve probably filled that place. We could’ve sold tickets, because some of the twelve round wars he had in that gym were amazing.”
Going into detail, the three-time world champion highlighted Bellew’s power as a big factor in the spars, but said it was balanced out with his engine given the difference in weight classes.
He predicted himself to win, of course, but knows Bellew would disagree.
“Tony would hit me on the chin, I’d be a bit wobbled, I’d be angry, come out the next round and get him back. He’d be feeling the pace as well towards the end, because at light heavyweight he had to take a bit of weight off.
He always had a bit of strength and size on me, which would balance it because I was quite experienced at world level and he was still looking to fight for a world title.
That would’ve been a great fight. Obviously I back myself to win, but Tony Bellew I’m sure would disagree. Probably tell you he’d knock me out with one of those left hooks.”
After winning world championships – Froch as a super middle and Bellew as a cruiser – both men are now retired and spend their time talking boxing rather than fighting.