The Cobra Returns

Return of “The Cobra”

May 31, 2011

This Saturday in Atlantic City sees the return of arguably the best entertainer in boxing today.

When I say “entertainer” I don’t mean the man with the best ring entrance, or the man with the best trash talk. I mean the man who offers the best value for money:

Carl “The Cobra” Froch.

Seriously, can you even remember seeing a bad Carl Froch fight?

You can’t say that about the likes of Amir Khan or even pound-for-pound champ Manny Pacquiao.

Khan’s tussle with Paul McCloskey was as messy in the ring, as it was outside. Following the farcical last-minute TV switch from Sky, the Bolton man produced six uninspiring rounds. Meanwhile, Filipino superstar Pacquiao’s recent bout with Shane Mosley was derided by many pundits as a friendly sparring session.

These days too many champions are criticised for their caution – either for avoiding opponents or adopting a safety-first approach when actually in the ring.

But neither criticism can be aimed at Froch.

His last five fights with Jean Pascal, Jermain Taylor, Andre Dirrell, Mikkel Kessler and Arthur Abraham have all made utterly compelling viewing. It’s a huge shame that so few fans have been able to see them.

After some questionable decisions by his former promoter Mick Hennessey, Froch has been isolated on the little-known subscription channel Primetime. At a time when his career, his reputation and his earning power should have been peaking, “the Cobra” has found himself cruelly under-exposed.

Froch back on Sky Sports

Boxing fans should be delighted that Sky have realised the error of their ways and welcomed Froch back into the fold. The Froch-Sky Sports partnership will offer the Nottingham fighter the high profile he richly deserves.

The bout with Glen “Road Warrior” Johnson (51-14-2) should serve up another dose of brutality. Both have granite chins and aren’t afraid to let their punches go. Johnson may be 42, but he’s durable, battle-hardened and has been in with a host of big names.

Expect it to go the distance and expect it to be the sort of fight that takes another few months off Froch’s lifetime as a boxer.

He’s no Bernard Hopkins, who spectacularly became the oldest world champion in history last week by defeating WBC and IBO light-heavyweight champ Jean Pascal in Canada.

Using every bit of ring nous he’s acquired over two decades in the sport, Hopkins, 46, unashamedly nullifies his opponents. He takes few clean shots and in truth his fights can be pretty drab at times.

Less of a tactician and more of a gladiator, Froch prefers to go to war. He relies on his power and his extraordinary punch resistance. He takes risks. Huge risks, in fact.

But that’s what makes him so entertaining.

Hopefully new promoter Eddie Hearn, master of the blossoming Matchroom stable, can get Froch the big paydays he deserves as he enters the twilight of his career.

We should enjoy him while we can. It may be some time before we see another British fighter like Carl Froch.

Ralph Welch

info@ultimatefightclub.co.uk

* Carl Froch v Glen Johnson can be seen on Saturday night  on Sky Sports 1.