Newly retired former 168lb world boss Carl Froch has shown a refreshingly mature attitude toward bitter rival George Groves’ impending WBC super middleweight title fight with Badou Jack, publicly putting their feud aside for the greater good: The success of British boxing on the world stage.
Froch, who twice beat Groves, including the famous “in-front of 80k at Wembley” second fight, has obviously had ample time for reflection since that night – his last in-ring outing , and as well as settling into his television punditry duties, is now focused on life with his young family, and the ‘change’ in attitude, especially regarding Groves, is telling.
A seemingly more pleasant version of the oft abrasive Froch, keen to let bygones be bygones, said via his Sky Sports column.
“I love British boxing. I love boxing. It has given me a fantastic life and has been fantastic to me and my family and we need world champions in Britain. Simple as that.”
“I hope George Groves wins the world title out in Vegas. There you go, I’ve said it. I want George to become the WBC super-middleweight champion of the world and I also think he can do it.
“Yes, he still says the odd horrible thing about me but one thing I learnt in boxing is, if you are nasty and negative towards people it comes back and bites you… twice as bad. I could say I don’t care about Groves’ chances, but I do. And I am being completely honest about this.”
Froch, who himself famously won the green belt in a cracking fight with Jean Pascal in 2008 to launch his own career on the world stage, added.
“To have that WBC super-middleweight title back in Britain would be brilliant, regardless of who’s got it. We – and I include me – need that title and titles like that, back.”
Yet, as is always seemingly the case with Carl when talking about career rivals, he couldn’t resist countering the positive with a little bit of negative.
“On top of that I think he (Groves) can do a job on Badou Jack and I think he is good enough – even if I do think he has peaked.”
“I don’t want to rain on Groves’ parade if he does win but Jack is not the best world champion we’ve seen and he looks to me like a limited opponent.”
“Honestly though, I want to see George Groves win that world title.”
Twitter @Undilutedpoison
