Carl Froch-Britains underappreciated fighter

Whilst the average boxing fan in Britain may only tune in to watch what they deem to be the ‘biggest’ fights of the boxing calendar once or twice a year, the high profile billing of bouts such as David Haye v Derek Chisora dims the spotlight for other British boxers to shine and none more so than the case in point, Carl Froch.

The story of Froch is of stark contrast to that of the likes of Ricky Hatton, David Haye, Amir Kahn and even Kell Brook to an extent with the buzz his names now generating.

Forget the glitz and the glamour, or any ventures into reality television shows such as I’m a celebrity get me out of here any time soon; Froch simply is not of the mould.

Now aged 35, the Nottingham based fighter has enjoyed sustained success at the very top of the super-middle weight division for a number of years suffering just the two losses to arguably the best pound for pound boxer in the world in the form of Andre Ward as well as Mikkel Kessler.

Renowned for his chin of steel, Froch has knocked out 29 of the 31 opponent’s in his wake, being knocked down just the once in his entire career but yet still doesn’t receive his fair acclaim for being one of the best British fighters at his weight division ever.

His style of fighting has often been criticised being labelled as boring, robotic and even predictable but that doesn’t mirror a true reflection for just what he has achieved in the sport.

Popularity doesn’t quite cut it as to reasoning why he doesn’t win so many plaudits as he’s much loved by both British and American boxing fans as well as being a hero in his city of Nottingham. But despite his glamorous girlfriend Rachael Cordingley, Froch doesn’t live the glamorous lifestyle.

Currently he holds the IBF super-middleweight belt as well having previously having been two-time WBC super-middleweight champions which are all major world titles that cannot be discounted so easily.

Froch is a terrific boxer who bucks the trend of dodging fighters always looking to feature in big bouts so much so that his last eight fights have all been for world titles.

After his biggest disappointed of his career by losing to Ward in the final of the super six series on a night where he didn’t do his ability justice, the crowning moment of his career followed immediately after when he sensationally dispatched Lucien Bute in front of his adoring home fans.

An emphatic knockout ensured he took home the IBF title at the expense of a man they claimed could have won the super six tournament himself had he entered.

This weekend he is looking to retain that belt when he takes on Yusaf Mack in his hometown of Nottingham, then a sensational rematch with Bute in Montreal, Canada has been lined up.

After that, if victorious there’s even another fight with superstar Andre Ward being mooted which would rack up many headlines, for one of British most underappreciated fighters of my lifetime.

By Simon Blaquiere

@simonblaquiere1