By Ted Sares – I’m on top of the world right now and I intend on staying there. There’s some really big fights out there for me now and I’m ready for any of them be it Kelly Pavlik or even Joe Calzaghe if he can be bothered getting out of his armchair. –Carl Froch
Before the fight Taylor and the American media were asking who I was, well they all know now — Froch
Based on Carl Froch’s sensational and ultra-dramatic knockout of Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor last night (April 26), he now has to be seen as someone who backs up his words with his talent. His strength, steely determination, and traditional British grit, make him someone who is not only fan-friendly, but also someone who may just be the very best in a division chock full of talent.. He also has the charisma to go with his talent.
Comparing him to Pavlik (as many are now doing) based on The Ghost’s last two outings is not as compelling for me as considering a possible fight with Joe Calzaghe. This guy brings electricity and fire power into the ring and just keeps coming and coming until the will and heart of his opponent has been totally taken away. Against a Taylor who always seems to gas at the wrong time, he showed himself to be one of the most exciting fighters in boxing as he got up off the canvas to deliver a sensational and well-called stoppage win with just 14 seconds left in the and final round,
Calzaghe
Surely, Joe (46-0) must have witnessed this great fight, and surely, the thought must have crossed his mind as to whether he has enough to come back and remove any lingering doubts as to his marvelous legacy by beating a Brit sensation heretofore relatively unknown except to global aficionados. Froch appears at his peak; in this regard, he is no Hopkins and he is no Jones. He would be a legitimate threat to the ring savvy and fast punching “Pride of Wales.” Joe’s conquest of Mikkel Kessler ensures that he would be the favorite, just as Carl’s wins over Jean Pascal and Taylor ensures that the fight would be highly competitive. Heck, the Cobra would be tough load for anyone to handle.
There has been one common opponent and that was Robin Reid whom Calzaghe beat in 1999 by a split decision. Reid was 26-1-1 at the time. Froch stopped a ring-worn Reid in 2007 in five. Robin was 39-5-1 and has not fought since. Froch’s KO percentage is 80 while Joe finished with an impressive 69.57, but there is little doubt as to who has the heavier hands and that is “The Cobra.”
The clash of styles would be interesting as well though I submit it would favor Joe. Froch’s will and pressure would be a stern test for Calzaghe’s superb ring smarts and well documented-ability to dictate the pace and control the action. Still, Joe’s in-and-out super fast flurries would present problems for Froch who can be hit, albeit on a granite chin. Froch, on the other hand (and unlike Jones and Hopkins), is heavy-handed and if he floors Calzaghe as Jones and Hopkins did, look for The Cobra to follow-up in a more violent fashion.
Other Options
The options now open to The Cobra seem limitless. With rugged and talented customers like Kessler, Lucian Bute, Librado Andrade, and even Allen Green (off his sensational KO of De Leon Jr.), big paydays loom for the Nottingham native. And depending on catch weight situations, Arthur Abraham and Kelly Pavlik are well into the mix. If Andre Ward gets by Edison Miranda, he too enters the equation. But at the end of the day, there is one true mega-fight and that would be with Joe Calzaghe. In a year in which Hatton is fighting Pacquaio, why not have another massive one between two marquee fighters? Why not have one between a retired future Hall of Fame inductee and a teak tough Englishman who just gave British Boxing one of its greatest wins? Why not have one for the ages? As Froch correctly states, “…It would be a huge fight for Britain and the World.”
Let’s get it on!
Visit the writer’s web site at www.tedsares.com