ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey (June 4, 2011) – Nottingham, United Kingdom’s WBC Super Middleweight Champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch (28-1, 20 KOs) successfully defended his title and advanced to the Final of the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic against Andre Ward with a majority 12-round decision over Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson (51-15-2, 35 KOs) at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and live on SHOWTIME®
In the co-feature, Mikkel Kessler of Denmark returned to the ring after a 14-month layoff to knock out Frenchman Mehdi Bouadla in a super middleweight bout at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Froch didn’t have an easy night against the 42-year-old Johnson, who was fighting in his 68th professional fight. He was hit with several right hands throughout the contest, but made an adjustment to his fight plan midway through to pull away in the later rounds.
Japanese judge Nobuaki Uratani scored it 114-114, but was over-ruled by judges John Stewart (117-111) and Mark Green (116-112).
“It was very tough. He’s a guy you hit and nothing happens,” admitted Froch. “If you can imagine sparring an oak tree? You hit him and he doesn’t move,” he added with a laugh.
Ever the classy gentleman, Johnson said he felt the fight was close, but perhaps he could have stuck to his fight plan more. “I felt I was in it. My corner was telling me to pick it up because they said I was falling behind. It took me out of my game plan a bit because I got in there and ripped hard shots and that let him fire quick counter punches on the inside. I was blocking most of them, but when you do stuff like that the judges will give him credit for it. I kind of fell into his fight plan more than sticking with mine. I got a little greedy.”
In Denmark, former World Boxing Council/World Boxing Association champion Kessler was looking to regain his status as one of the premier super middleweights in the world. He knocked Bouadla down four times in the fight — the final knockdown forcing the sixth-round stoppage. It was Kessler’s first start since a potentially career-ending eye injury forced him to withdraw from the Super Six World Boxing Classic shortly after he won a brutal unanimous decision over Froch on April 24, 2010. The victory puts Kessler, 32, back in the thick of things in the talent-rich 168-pound division.
“It is great to be back,” said Kessler. “The atmosphere in the stadium was unbelievable. I didn’t have any problems with the eye and I got hit a few times. I was surprised by Mehdi and how many hits he could take. He kept coming back at me and I caught him several times. It was a great comeback fight. I am ready to fight everybody out there, everybody who my promoter picks.”
Team Sauerland, Kessler’s promoter, Kalle Sauerland added: “The Viking Warrior is back. I think it was a great performance. He just continued where he left it against Froch. It was like he has never been away. The atmosphere in Copenhagen’s biggest football stadium was fantastic – it could not have been better. Mikkel really pleased his crowd and it´s great that he is back. He has big things coming up for him. We will now sit down and see whom we’ll fight next, but one thing is for sure, the Viking Warrior is back, better than ever.”
Froch brought along his usual boisterous contingent of fans to the event, but Johnson had several vocal supporters as well, which made for a lively night. This is what boxing’s all about,” said Showtime analyst Al Bernstein.
After the fight, Froch’s finals opponent Andre Ward said “It’s the grand finale. It’s time to get it on. I want that trophy in my trophy case and he’s going to try to stop that from happening. We’re the guys who started off in this tournament, so it’s natural and fitting that we be in the finals.”
In non-televised Atlantic City undercard fights, undefeated Hungarian multi-world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18 KOs) scored a dominant TKO 6 (1:58) over former super middleweight world champion Byron Mitchell and power-punching Colombian former world title challenger Edison “Pantera” Miranda scored a dominant eight-round decision over Pittsburgh’s Rayco Saunders.
HEAVYWEIGHT THOMPSON REMAINS UNDEFEATED, WINS BATTLE AT THE BOAT 82 MAIN EVENT
Tacoma, WA – Undefeated heavyweight Vincent Thompson improved to 8-0 by defeating Kelsey Arnold in the main event of Battle at the Boat 82: Fight Night to the Playboy Mansion Saturday at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA.
All three judges scored the six-round bout 60-54 in favor of Thompson.
Fellow heavyweight Jonte Willis was also looking to remain unbeaten, but a devastating left from Shane Andreesen late in the fifth round ended all hopes of that happening.
Andreesen improved to 11-3 with 7 KOs, while Willis fell to 7-1-1 with the loss.
In the semi-main event, light middleweight Nate Serrano (3-0, 2 KOs) defeated Randell Corpuz by unanimous decision.
On the undercard, Seattle welterweight Rob Diezel (6-4-0, 3 KOs) defeated Aaron Schupp (2-1) by second-round knockout, heavyweight Sylvester Barron registered a unanimous decision over Ija Flappingeagle and Gerald Fisher defeated Nick Briannes by split decision in a battle of super lightweights.
Trout vs. Lopez on June 11th
World Boxing Association (WBA) Light Middleweight champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout (22-0, 13 KOs) is primed and ready for his latest mission to Mexico.
Trout will make his first title defense against Sonora, Mexico’s David “The Destroyer” Lopez (40-12, 23 KOs) on June 11 at the Auditorio Miguel Barragan in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
It will be business as usual for Trout – most of his career highlights, thus far, have occurred south of the border. The Las Cruces, New Mexico, native won the WBA Continental Americas championship in Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico, in 2009 and then won the world title in Jalisco, Mexico, last February.
“For some reason, I think they like me down there,” he laughs. “I don’t know why. I keep going to Mexico and beating up Mexican fighters. I like it down there because they are still so passionate about boxing. Boxing is alive and well in Mexico. They flock to the weigh-ins and press conferences. During the fight they will boo and throw stuff, but it’s all good. I really enjoy that part. You don’t get that in the States anymore.”
Trout says winning the championship has given him a boost in training.
“When I won the title, I felt like my job had just started. I felt like I had just entered the big leagues, so I worked even harder in the gym for this fight. Winning the championship, for me, was like graduating from high school. I feel great. I brought in some good fighters to spar with from the Baltimore and Washington area, Cecil McCalla, Maxell Taylor and Siju Shabazz. They’re all quick and they got me sharp and strong.”
The personable 25-year-old southpaw claims it took him a while to realize he was a champion. “For the first three weeks, it didn’t even sink in. Then one night, I was looking at the belt and I said ‘holy smoke. I’m world champion!!! I ran out onto my street and yelled ‘The champ is here!’ It was amazing; something I dreamed about since I was a kid.”
Trout says he looks at fighting Lopez as another step toward his ultimate goal.
“He’s a very tough guy. He’s much avoided and for good reason. His losses were early in his career. He’s strong. But, I’m not impressed. He’s had some impressive wins, but I’m not impressed. I take nothing away from him, but I’m smarter and a better fighter. I can figure him out, but if he does something to upset my game plan, I have three hundred more I can go to. He has no answers for me. I’m the best and I’m ready to prove it against the best. Until they give me that chance, I’ll beat up guys like this and wait.”
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