by James Slater – WBC super-middleweight champion Carl Froch was as disappointed as the fans when his fight with unbeaten challenger Andre Dirrell turned out to be something of a messy affair and a let down in terms of providing great action. Last Saturday’s 12-rounder in “The Cobra’s” hometown still has the fans arguing over who should have been awarded the victory, and due to the way he scraped through on the score cards there has been little to no praise coming the 32-year-old’s way.
But Froch feels all that will change after he’s been to war with his next rival in the “Super Six” tourney, WBA 168-pound ruler Mikkel Kesser of Denmark – a fighter Froch is really looking forward to getting it on with and who he feels he has the beating of. And should the unbeaten Nottingham man manage to defeat the tall Dane in exciting fashion, chances are he will indeed be praised highly..
Froch has spoken about how eagerly he is anticipating fighting the man who has only been beaten once as a pro.
“I think when we beat Kessler we’ll get the accolades,” Froch said with regards to the so-so reviews he got from the Dirrell win. “He’s next and that’s one to look forward to. Kessler boxes a bit and is a good mover but he’ll stand there and fight rather than hold and moan. I’ll do what I have to do, if I’m struggling to box early on I’ll then I’ll put it on him and stand and have a trade-off.”
Froch believes Kessler will be able to overcome the unbeaten Andre Ward when “The Viking Warrior” has his own “Super Six” debut in America next month. He then sees himself and Kessler meeting in a fight that will not only be a thriller but also a unification of two of the 168-pound world titles.
“I think Kessler will win a close decision, travelling to America to face Ward,” Froch continued. “I’d like him to win and when we meet it will be for the undisputed title, which is what I’ve craved since turning professional.”
What’s of major interest is the possibility that the Froch-Kessler rumble could wind up taking place in the WBC champion’s homeland, even though the idea was for all “Super Six” stars to be allowed one fight in their home country.
According to Froch and his promoter Mick Hennessey, next year’s instalment of the tournament televised by Show Time will take place in either the UK or in Copenhagen.
“We’ll begin talks now, but we have an agreement with Sauerland Events (who promote Kessler) that wherever it makes commercial sense and wherever we’re going to get the biggest gate – whether it’s Copenhagen or Nottingham – is where it will be,” Froch said.
And according to a news article that has appeared on This is Nottingham, Hennessey says there is a “50-50” chance the fight could wind up taking place in his fighter’s backyard.
“It will be a blockbuster and could attract a crowd of 30,000,” the promoter said. “The fight will go to the venue that makes the most financial sense. And what’s more, Carl will win it.”
We will see how things transpire with regards to where the fight is held. It’s probably fair to say, though, that because of the way many fans have screamed “Hometown decision” about Froch’s win over Dirrell, there will be moans and groans about favouritism in the WBC champ’s favour if the fight is held in the UK.
But it will be money that talks, and not anything else. Besides, who really thinks Kessler-Froch will go 12 rounds?