The Cobra eyes “dream Nottingham show” after Super Six glory. Matchroom Sport are delighted to announce that Carl ‘The Cobra’ Froch has signed a five-fight promotional deal.
The World Boxing Council (WBC) Super-Middleweight champion spoke with both Barry and Eddie Hearn earlier this month and the work starts straight away with Froch heading to the States to fight Glen Johnson on June 4 in the semi-final of the Super Six in Atlantic City.
The 33 year-old Nottingham star has wowed fight fans with his stunning performances against Jean Pascal, Jermaine Taylor, Andre Dirrell and Arthur Abraham, and now he plans to become a household name after years of frustration in the shadows.
“I’m so excited to be working with Matchroom,” said Froch. “When you are fighting at your peak it’s about raising your profile and securing TV time and that’s where I am. When you sit down with Barry and Eddie, you can tell they have the power and the resources to maximise your potential so I’m really excited about the rest of my career.
“The thing that stood out was their straight-talking approach and obviously their great reputation not just in boxing but in sport. They have Darren Barker on board who is a good friend of mine and Rob McCracken told me to sit down and listen to Eddie – I listen to Rob and that made the decision simple. Eddie brings big things to the table and is able to promote me in a way that will get me the exposure that I deserve and crave – I’ve fulfilled my end of the bargain, I leave everything in the ring when I fight.
“I still have a dream to fight at the City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest – I was promised that year with Mikkel Kessler but it ended up happening in Denmark. If I’d gone into the meeting with Eddie and Barry then I believe that fight would’ve happened at the City Ground and it would’ve been a momentous occasion for myself, for the club, the city and for British boxing. But now we’ll look forward and say, why can’t it happen? When the Super Six is over and with Matchroom behind me, I know the dream can become a reality. I’m not fighting now for the riches – I’m World Champion, I’ve lost the title then won it back, I’m doing OK financially and there’s a couple of big fights out there for me and it could happen at the City Ground. Joe Calzaghe keeps being mentioned and who knows, something tells me he could come out of retirement, stranger things have happened, and what a fight that would be.”
“It is an absolute honour to be representing Carl,” said Matchroom Sport’s managing director Eddie Hearn. “When you look at what he has achieved in this sport, he already has to go down as one of the greatest fighters Britain has ever produced and it’s time he starting getting the exposure he deserves. You only have to watch his fights back to see just how exciting he is and if we are going to continue to grow this sport in this country, then the public need to see icons like Carl entertain. We are going to raise his profile through the roof in the UK and after the Super Six he will come home to the welcome he so deserves.”
The deal sees Froch complete the Super Six series – fighting Johnson and then a possible final later this year against either Andre Ward or Arthur Abraham – and then three more fights, although Froch would not rule out extending his career, saying he is “in the shape of his life”.
“If I was trying to be realistic now I’d say five more fights,” said Froch. “I’ve got this fight with Glen Johnson then the Super Six final providing I do the business against Johnson – then after that, maybe three more, but then again, maybe five more, let’s see how we go. There’s no reason why it can’t be seven actually, get the Super Six out of the way then have five proper big fights, World Championship fights here in Britain.”
Froch completes a hat-trick of formidable recent signings for Matchroom, with recently crowned European Middleweight Champion Darren Barker and Britain’s hottest young talent, Sheffield Welterweight Kell Brook. That trio was added to recent World title challenger Paul McCloskey and forthcoming European title challenger Gavin Rees, and the latest recruit has his sights set on a massive show involving the hot new stable.
“A pay-per-view event at the City Ground with me topping the bill is not just a pipedream now I’m with Matchroom – and an undercard headed by my stable-mates Darren Barker and Kell Brook who would be fighting for big titles is a real possibility,” said Froch.
Eddie Hearn added: “Darren, Kell, Paul and Gavin are on the verge of World title shots so who could rule out a super show in the near future? We have had tremendous interest from a number of fighters looking to join the Matchroom and I’m delighted with the team we have put together. We won’t rest until we get them what they deserve.”
DALLAS AIMING TO GO ONE BETTER THAN FURY
TOM DALLAS will face his first American opponent later this month.
The Chatham banger (14-0) bids to send his local fans home happy when he faces American Zack Page (21-34-2) on Friday May 13 at Medway Park Leisure Centre, Gillingham.
Page has a reputation as one of the most durable fighters on the heavyweight circuit and in December lasted the eight round distance against Tyson Fury.
Promoter Frank Maloney said: “I am not even bothered about Tyson because I look after the best two heavyweight prospects in Britain, David Price and Tom.
“They are the future of the division and like Pricey proved last week when he knocked out Raphael Butler, Tom will be looking to make a statement.
“Some of the sparring between Tom and Pricey is better than most heavyweight fights but they would only fight each other if something special was on the line.”
Page, 37, has been stopped just three times and last year shocked Mike Tyson conqueror, Kevin McBride – outpointing the Irishman over eight rounds.
Dallas’ fight eight rounder is part of a star-studded bill headed by Chislehurst’s Sam Webb (17-1) who defends his British light-middleweight title against Manchester’s Prince Arron (20-3-1).
Also on the card being televised live by Sky Sports, Blackpool’s Brian Rose (16-1-1) makes the first defence of his English light-middleweight crown against Swanley’s unbeaten Martin Welsh (9-0).
Tickets for the fantastic night of action are available at £30 and £65 ringside from www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508
Carslaw and Limond Top Kelvin Hall Bill
Willie Limond and Kris Carslaw will head up an action-packed bill at Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall on Friday, 3rd June 2011.
Former Commonwealth super-featherweight champion Limond returns to the ring for the first time since his loss to legendary six-time world champion Erik Morales in Mexico last September and will box an International Opponent.
And Carslaw will make the second defence of his British Masters light-middleweight title as he looks to stretch his unbeaten record to 14.
Victory for both men will put them on the verge of British title fights later this year.
Promoter Chris Gilmour said: “Willie and Kris are at very different points in their careers, but this could be a very exciting year for each of them.
“Willie has been around for a long time and has fought at the very highest level, with his only losses in 36 fights against world champions in Morales, Amir Khan and Alex Arthur, but he has never won a British title.
“That remains a real ambition for him and coming back with a victory on June 3 will put him within touching distance of a fight with British lightweight champion Anthony Crolla.
“Kris has made steady progress as a pro and has looked impressive in his past couple of British Masters title fights against Terry Carruthers and Willie Thompson.
“He now looks like someone ready to take the step up to full British championship level, but he needs to keep on improving if he wants to take on the winner of next week’s British title fight between Sam Webb and Prince Arron.”
It’s Gilmour’s first promotion at Kelvin Hall as he follows in the footsteps of father Tommy and great-grandfather Jim by staging boxing at the famous old venue.
And he has put together an undercard packed with some of Scotland’s top up-and-coming prospects.
Undefeated welterweights Jamie McLevy of Scotstoun and Eddie Doyle of Glenboig will both be looking to stretch their winning runs to eight against selected opposition on the undercard.
Undefeated former multi-titled amateur star and ex-world no.6 Robert ‘Rocky’ Wright, unbeaten Motherwell light-welterweight Steven Sharoudi and Paisley light-middleweight Stevie Weir along with Milngavies Richard Barclay and Scottish Super-Bantamweight Champion David Savage from Scotstoun make up the nine fight bill.
Gilmour added: “It has always been my ambition to promote at the Kelvin Hall and maybe sometime in the future can emulate my dad and Promote a World Title fight there. Along with the York Hall in Bethnal Green, the Kelvin Hall is probably the most-recognised venue for boxing in the UK.
“When the place is packed the atmosphere is unique and hopefully fans of the nine Scots on the bill will come along to support their men and create another historic night at the Kelvin Hall.”
Tickets go on sale on Friday 6th May and are priced at £40 (reserved seating) and £30 (unreserved seating) and are available on 0141 810 5700 and all the boxers on the bill.