Carl Froch has responded to a suggestion from fellow Hall of Fame fighter Andre Ward that he would find facing Anthony Joshua an easier night’s work than Joe Calzaghe.
Ward – who beat Froch via unanimous decision in 2011 – said that he would struggle more with super-middleweight Calzaghe than heavyweight Joshua.
The American won world titles at 168 and 175lbs, but has always claimed he had a deal on the table to face ‘AJ’ before he ultimately decided to retire from the sport.
Froch, speaking to Lord Ping, said the comments were ridiculous.
“I think Andre Ward’s comments on Anthony Joshua and Joe Calzaghe are f****** ridiculous because Anthony Joshua is far too big for him. It would be a mismatch because of the size difference. I don’t get where he’s coming from. AJ is six feet six and 18 stone, Andre Ward wouldn’t have a f******* chance. Boxing is a weight governed sport, Ward is talking nonsense.”
The timelines of Ward and Calzaghe never quite matched for a fight to materialise. If it had, ‘The Cobra’ would have fancied his former opponent to get the job done.
“I think he gives Calzaghe a really tough fight though, that’s a tough night for Calzaghe, a great fight. But he’s talking bullshit about Anthony Joshua. AJ is too big and too strong for Andre Ward, I’d actually enjoy watching AJ knockout Andre Ward, I’d pay to see it. But Ward does beat Calzaghe, he doesn’t really have any chinks in his armour. Calzaghe deserved to lose against Robin Reid, Reid should have got the nod. He also struggled against an old Hopkins and an old Roy Jones, so you’ve got to pick Ward over Calzaghe.”
Ward and Calzaghe both retired from the sport undefeated. Joshua is next out against Francis Ngannou on March 8.