by James Slater – Britain’s Carl Froch, the former WBC super-middleweight champion, is still annoyed at the scoring he received in his title losing war with Denmark’s Mikkel Kessler. Insistent he was the victim of a home town decision when he fought “The Viking Warrior” in his native Denmark, “The Cobra” has made it clear he very much wants a second go at Kessler, and that Mikkel is “only borrowing the WBC belt.”
Writing in his local newspaper, The Nottingham Post, the 32-year-old said he definitely did enough to keep his title back in April, but that in a return fight he will not leave it to the judges..
“While Kessler got the decision, without sounding like a cliché, it really was one of those fights where nobody was a loser,” Froch wrote this week. “As reigning champion, I felt I did enough to hold my title, but it goes with the territory of fighting away. Sure it was a tough night at the office, but one in which I showed who was boss.”
But did Froch really look like the boss in the great, give-and-take battle? On occasion maybe, but no way throughout the full 12, exciting, rounds. Froch, who made a point of mentioning the appalling scorecard turned in by “a judge called Tilleman” in his article, is certainly right when he says this official’s card – one that gave him just ONE of the first ten-rounds – was disgusting; but many fans and experts agreed with the final verdict that was turned in.
Froch now hopes to meet Kessler in a return, hopefully as part of the ongoing “Super-Six” tournament.
“Mikkel Kessler is a proud and popular fighter who was prepared to go out on his shield that night which, under better circumstances, I would have capitalised on,” Froch said. “But mark my words, next time I would not leave it to the judges in a rematch.
“A fight between us in the future would certainly sell out quickly and is one hopefully we can do later in the Super-Six. Congratulations, Mikkel – but you’re only borrowing that belt!”
It does seem as though Froch, who of course has only been beaten by Kessler, is at the very least a little preoccupied by the idea of gaining revenge. However, as great a fight as Kessler-Froch II would no doubt be if it happened, shouldn’t Froch be concentrating on his upcoming (Sept. 18th being the latest probable date) fight with Arthur Abraham?
Losing your title and being beaten for the first time can hurt, but where will Froch be if he loses for a second time? And make no mistake, Froch faces a really hard night against “King” Arthur. Perhaps even a harder night than that one he had back in April!