by James Slater – The issue of where Carl Froch will face Arthur Abraham in both men’s next step in the “Super-Six” tournament remains unsettled. Froch, who lost his unbeaten record and his WBC 168-pound title to Mikkel Kessler in the Dane’s homeland back in April, still insists he was the victim of a “hometown” decision, and that he will make sure this does not happen again against German-based Abraham.
Due to a handshake agreement his manager, Mick Hennessey had with Wlfried Sauerland, the manager of Abraham, Froch thought he had the fight set for his hometown of Nottingham.. However, Abraham’s people want the fight in Germany instead, and thus far a venue has still to be agreed upon. Understandably, “The Cobra” said a big NO to the idea of him facing the former middleweight king (who also lost his last fight, by DQ to Andre Dirrell) in Germany, and Froch has also balked at the notion of him facing “King” Arthur in either Switzerland, Poland or Monaco.
So where will the fight take place? Froch-Abraham, sure to be a great fight, perhaps the most violent and action-packed of the entire “Super-Six” tourney, is not that far away, date-wise (August or September) and a venue has to be agreed on soon.
Froch gave his thoughts, and spoke about his terms, to The Nottingham Post recently.
“The next fight is all or nothing for me,” Froch said. “I’m only going to fight on my terms. I won’t be pushed around this time. I won’t be going anywhere east of Nottingham to fight. I don’t mind Canada but I am not going to Poland or Monaco. And I’m not fighting in Berlin – there’s no chance of getting a verdict there.”
The choice of Canada as a country to host the big fight has been mentioned before, and maybe this is where the fight will wind up taking place. If Froch is happy enough to box there, why shouldn’t Abraham be? A neutral venue to be sure, both sides should be content enough boxing there and both fighters should have no issues when it comes to worrying about a hometown verdict going against them. But is there much chance of Froch Vs. Abraham going all 12-rounds anyway?
Froch is as brave as they come and he runs from no-one and Abraham, a pressure fighter of the highest order, is the same. As a result, a real war that will be lucky to go more than eight or nine rounds could be in order. But in whose favour?
Froch, knowing he simply has to win, is sure he can do so, but he is also looking forward to a second fight with Kessler; the man who did go to war with him for all 12-rounds a few weeks ago.
“I’d love to get him [Kessler] in the semis, because I know how to beat him now,” Froch said.
As he surely knows himself, he has to get the Abraham battle out of the way first, though! Wherever the fight is staged.