By James Slater – Two-time and current WBC Super-Middleweight ruler Carl Froch has recovered from a bout of flu and is now looking ahead to his next fight; against the seriously tough Glen Johnson. Coming off that marvellously-dominant shut-out of a points win over “King” Arthur Abraham, the once-beaten 33-year-old is extremely confident ahead of his “Super Six” semi-final. However, as is the case with any fighter, Froch is happiest fighting at home and he is hoping the May clash, with it’s venue still to be confirmed, will go down in England.
“Of my last four fights, only one was at home and that was at 3a.m in the morning (the Andre Dirrell fight, in October of 2009),” Froch said to BBC radio.. “I would love England to give my fans the chance to see me in action, but this is world-class boxing and sometimes you have to get away to the States. I will do what I can but I would love to do it [fight Johnson] in England.”
It has perhaps been unfair on “The Cobra” that just one of his “Super Six” fights has been held in his home country; especially when you consider how tournament favourite Andre Ward has had ALL three of his tourney fights take place in his hometown. As for “The Road Warrior,” as his name suggests, he is always ready willing and able to fight anywhere, but his “Super Six” debut did not take place in his home town of Florida. Johnson may not be too concerned with where he fight Froch, and maybe for this one, the defending WBC champ will wind up getting home advantage. But will that make the fight any easier for Froch? Not likely.
Johnson, though he is 42-years-old and is now almost seventy fights into a long and hard pro career, remains one of the toughest, most dangerous fighters in the world. Just ask the younger, supposedly fresher Allan Green; who Johnson destroyed in his “Super Six” arrival back in November. Glen ruined Green’s dream and now he looks to do the same thing to Froch. Okay, Froch, as he has proven many times, is made of far sterner stuff than is Green, but already many fans, on this site’s forum page especially, are talking about a Johnson win.
Froch, though, has the added confidence that unexpectedly easy win over Abraham has given him.
“If I had lost to Abraham or struggled, or lost a split decision, that could have been the end of me,” Froch explained. “Performing in such n emphatic fashion against a top fighter like Abraham has given me great acknowledgment. It was the performance I needed.”
And it’s interesting to recall, that ahead of the Abraham fight many good judges were picking the Armenian to get the win; a good number tipping him to break through Carl’s leaky defence and knock him out late. Froch instead put on what was arguably the finest display of his career so far, and in so doing he showed how foolish it is to pick against him. But herein lies the beauty of the Froch-Johnson fight: both guys have a proven history of tearing up the script, yet only one man can emerge as the winner in May.
Froch-Johnson is expected to be a very hard night for both warriors. Who is brave enough to pick a winner!
(according to the BBC piece, Montreal and Las Vegas are possibilities, along with England, to host the fight)