Gareth Copley - Getty Images
Carl Froch has no intention of fighting Nathan Cleverly and wants to focus on bigger fights in the Super-Middleweight division.(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Just a few weeks ago Nathan Cleverly branded Carl Froch as arrogant, after turning down the chance to fight the Welshman.
Now, after a period of rumours and speculation and talk, Froch has confirmed what most of us thought...there will be no fight with Cleverly, with Froch's focus still firmly on the super-middleweight division.
Froch was beaten convincingly on points in December against Andre Ward, and several fight fans around the world presumed Froch had run out of opponents and would move up in weight to challenge Cleverly. But the Cobra told Skysports there was still plenty of competition to face.
"Nobody's interested in talk about me stepping up to light-heavyweight to fight Nathan Cleverly. It's boring, there's big fights for me - Mikkel Kessler, Lucien Bute, there's more names I could roll off the tongue that would make people interested. We want to be fighting in Nottingham for a nice steady comeback fight, I don't have easy fights but I'll have a nice steady comeback and then look to challenge for a world title soon."
I'm glad Froch has dismissed this fight. Firstly I think Froch would beat Cleverly although it suits Cleverly more with the weight. Cleverly hasn't gone in to a ring with world class operators like Froch and I whole heartedly agree that Froch should focus on the bigger fights out there for him.
He can easily win more world titles, and like I said in the last article about these two, Cleverly seems to be being a little jealous and bitter about the fact Froch has no intention of boxing him...and it's got nothing to do with Froch being arrogant. Froch has been there and done it, it is time for Cleverly to do the same.
Cleverly (23-0, 11 KO) will meet Tommy Karpency on February 25 in Cardiff. Froch is still deciding what to do next, but expects a fight back in the U.K. in April or May.
0 recs | 16 comments
Can’t really blame Froch here. He has loads of options at 168 with Kessler, Bute, Anthony Dirrell, maybe even Pavlik. Also if he moves up to 175 he has a ready-made rematch with Pascal that would do well in Canada, or fights with Dawson or Cloud. All of the above fights would probably be shown on US tv with decent money attached. A Cleverly fight at this point would be on Boxnation, for far less money. Given Cleverly’s current record, a win for Froch wouldn’t do that much for his legacy.
The situation is actually pretty similar to the Froch v Calzaghe situation of a few years ago, except this time Froch is in the position that Calzaghe was.
Eoin_not_ian - February 2, 2012
Yeah, i agree, it’s the old risk/reward thing, “what’s in it for me?” thing.
Saying that, a fight with Cleverly would probably sell fairly well in the UK, although neither of them has a massive fan base.
Matt Mosley - February 2, 2012
Nathan, Nathan, Nathan
One is rather arrogant oneself.
Matt Mosley - February 2, 2012
I can’t believe Frank Warren couldn’t find Cleverly a better opponent for his next fight than Tommy “Who the Hell Am I?” Karpency.
I guess that he’s the mandatory challenger but even so, Nathan isn’t likely to gain many new fans with fights like this.
Matt Mosley - February 2, 2012
I thought Karpency was famously rated as number 11 inside the WBO’s top ten as told by Frank Warren.
It is a terrible fight.
Eoin_not_ian - February 2, 2012
If so then this fight really is an atrocity and bad even by boxing’s often low standards.
I thought Warren only got a no name opponent because he had to face the mandatory, but i was just guessing.
No wonder DeGale wants to leave him.
Cleverly deserves criticism for this fight.
Matt Mosley - February 2, 2012
Yeah, Karpency’s not mandatory.
Ranked No. 11.
…in the cruiserweight division.
Keep in mind he’s not really a cruiserweight, which makes all of this EVEN FUNNIER.
I took an enormous shit on this fight right here, if you care to read it.
Scott Christ - February 2, 2012
You m ay have already heard but
Just heard this from Eddie Hearn on Ringside:
Darren Barker vs Dimitry Pirog is close to happening, apparently.
Matt Mosley - February 2, 2012
Ok, will check it out.
Matt Mosley - February 2, 2012
Obviously i knew that you had already called it out for what it was, although i did miss that particular article.
I was just adding my disgust.
Matt Mosley - February 2, 2012
This made me laugh:
Yeah, Warren is a slimy snake, this much is certain.
Also, i’m beginning to wonder if Cleverly isn’t starting to doubt himself and consider his limitations, when you look at his “title defences” and how he struggled against Bellew.
I mean, surely a guy who thought that he was one of the best in the world at his weight would be telling his promoter that he wanted better fights than this steaming pile of horse shit, especially when it’s his third defence and the opponents seem to be getting progressively worse (isn’t the opposite supposed to happen?)
I am becoming less and less of a Cleverly fan by the day. Yes, i think he will be removed from my profile shortly.
Matt Mosley - February 2, 2012
This is also the negative side of Warren’s channel Boxnation, imo.
I may be wrong but i doubt Sky would have accepted this “fight”.
Matt Mosley - February 2, 2012
I have to believe Sky would have turned this down. I really, truly mean no offense to Tommy Karpency, and good for him getting his shot. Like I said, I hope he wins. But this is such a bad fight.
Scott Christ - February 2, 2012
He’s a mandatory challenger? Thought he was optional.
Either way, Cleverly better be focused on Karpency…………..or he may lose a rd.
DPlainview - February 2, 2012
Read the posts above.
I said i was guessing.
Matt Mosley - February 2, 2012
…………..as i couldn’t believe warren would actually choose to make such a bad fight.
Then again…it wouldn’t be the first time.
Matt Mosley - February 2, 2012
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