Carl Froch was enjoying himself after the bell at the Anthony Joshua versus Jermaine Franklin fight, even despite a heated confrontation going on all around him.
Joshua boxed Franklin over twelve rounds to take the unanimous decision victory. Not the stoppage he and fans wanted, but a much-needed win nonetheless.
Fans were surprised to see the Brit’s aggression somewhat lacking in the fight, but it was on full show after the final bell.
‘AJ’ tapped his American opponent on the head when all was said and done, and proceeded to get him into a tight clinch and walk him back to his own corner. It was then Franklin’s team got involved, with one member pushing Joshua.
That prompted a response from former world cruiserweight champion, Tony Bellew. Bellew confronted Franklin’s coach, telling him not to touch a fighter. The American turned on Bellew and offered to step off the ring to settle it.
All the while, and much to fans’ delight, Froch was filming and laughing. ‘Handbags at dawn’ said the former super middleweight champion and recent hall of famer, before egging on Bellew.
Amongst all of the analysis of the fight and predictions for ‘AJ’s future, Froch’s excitement at a bit of drama provides some light relief.
Responding to somebody on social media pointing out he didn’t get involved, ‘The Cobra’ said ‘it’s not gonna end well if I get involved. Bodies piled up as you can imagine.’
It perhaps tells fans everything they need to know about the fight, though, when the main point of discussion is the aftermath.
Joshua kept authoritative with a solid jab and never really looked in danger, but the killer instinct fans have been begging for wasn’t there. In fairness, it was just his first fight under new coach, Derrick James.
Froch wasn’t overly impressed, calling Joshua’s showing ‘limited.’