Carl Froch is one of the most celebrated British fighters of his generation and almost a decade on from his last fight he remains in the headlines thanks to his forthright opinions
Speaking to TalkSport Boxing, former IBF, WBA and WBC super middleweight world champion ‘The Cobra’ reflected on his career and, although he couldn’t name his toughest opponent, he did highlight an ‘awkward and horrible’ bout.
“A guy I lost to. Andre Ward. I couldn’t really hit him. He was so good Up close he would tie me up. I think he was the High School wrestling champion of all things, so he could tie me up close.
The referee lets him get away with murder by the way, but I’m not going to slag him off cause he’s a great fighter. But I couldn’t hit him, I couldn’t really get him with two or three shots.”
When host Spencer Oliver suggests Ward nullified Froch with his holding, the Nottingham man bites back.
“That’s why he retired at 30, ’cause TV couldn’t show him anymore. That’s another dig – I don’t need to dig him like. He’s a good fighter. So that was awkward and horrible.”
Froch fought until he was 37. He retired after knocking out George Grovers in front of 80, 000 people at Wembley Stadium in May 2014 following a controversial stoppage win in the first fight in November 2013.
He also fought Mikkel Kessler twice, losing the first but winning the second with a rare points decision over 12 rounds.
“I did 24 rounds with Kessler. He could just take the biggest punch I could hit him with. Straight on the Vera Lynn. He’d just stand there and look at you.”
It’s fair to say Froch shied away from no one during his career – something he believes can’t be said for today’s heavyweights.