Carl Froch is something of a boxing boffin and, in discussion with former fighter turned pundit Spencer Oliver, he has gone deep on three of his favourite fighters since the year 2000.
Speaking to TalkSport Boxing about his first choice, he agrees with Oliver who suggests Lennox Lewis’ resume is second to none with big wins over Razor Ruddock and Andrew Golota, and two comeback wins against Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman.
“That’s my number 3, Lennox Lewis. Just a great career.”
His second pick is multiple featherweight world champion, Prince Naseem Hamed.
“He got me back into boxing. I boxed from a kid up until 15. Then I got back into it at 19 for one reason, and it was watching Prince Naseem Ahmed fight. He was just so exciting.”
He then picks out his favourite ‘Prince Nas’ fight.
“The fight against Steve Robinson in Cardiff, it was almost in bad taste but that was his style. He took the piss, didn’t he? Arms down. Big shots. Such an awkward, unorthodox, lucid style with a punch. Just brilliant.”
Finally, Hall of Famer Froch names his favourite fighter of the last 23 years.
“Number one is someone who was for me one of the greatest super middleweights of all time. Unhittable. Untouchable. He finished his career going up to heavyweight. He was so skilful, so fast. The speed he had, his skills were that good.
Roy Jones Jr. What other fighter would; you say was untouchable, Unhittable. Too fast for everybody and a skill set where they can throw three, four, five or six or even seven left hooks. Left uppercut.
Have a little look then a shuffle, make their opponent miss, he was just the best at everything.”
Every boxing fan will have their own top three, but Froch has made a good case for his.