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As Hennessy Promotions’ star attraction, Carl Froch has taken British boxing by storm since his pro debut several years ago and in less than twenty bouts has already secured the British and Commonwealth titles. The highly skilled unbeaten fighter is hands down the best bet to become the next British fighter to ascend to world class. SaddoBoxing caught up with the popular Nottingham man after his fifth round stoppage of former WBU Middleweight Champion Rueben Groenewald this past Friday night for this exclusive interview.
SB: How did you find Ruben Groenewald as an opponent?
CF: “He was a tough man, a very hard man. There’s no such thing as an easy defense with opponents like him, a fight is totally what you make it. You can get in their with someone and totally underestimate and they can get a shot in. He was a tough, strong proud man, he wanted to carry on, but I did make easy work of it.”
SB: Did any of his shots really connect and do any damage?
CF: “Not at all, he was swinging a few big right hooks in over the top, and a couple of shots to the back of the head (we call them rabbit punches) which is obviously an illegal move, they mess around with your balance a little bit – momentarily. They were the only shots I was feeling. Other than that, sweet – no problem.”
SB: You seem to have quite questionable defense tactics, how was this effective against Groenewald?
CF: “I’m willing to give the opposition a chance to try and hit me, this was definitely effective against Groenewald – I allowed him to do his work, get under some of his shots, block and then counterpunch.”
SB: How did you want to finish this fight?
CF: “I wanted it to end in round five with a technical knockout, all my friends had a big bet on it – so it went exactly the way I wanted it to go.”
SB: Can you talk a bit on your fight with Matthew Barney?
CF: “I was a little bit green going into that fight, I’d only had twelve fights and it was very early on in my career. He was the sort of man that would take anyone the distance because he runs and holds, anyone who does that is very difficult to nail. Bare in mind, I took that fight with one hand. All the way through I couldn’t really throw my right hand properly, I had two injections in my hand before, it completely swelled up and I couldn’t even get the bandage I had on, it wouldn’t even fit in my glove, so we just wedged it in and made do. I went into that fight knowing full well I only had use of one hand.”
SB: And the news on the injury?
CF: “It’s fully recovered now; I’ve had good surgery on it (shows a scar across the knuckles) so it’s healed well. It’s held up for this fight, and there was some big shots so I’m happy with it.”
SB: So then, Calzaghe; what’s the story behind the dispute between you, Joe and Enzo?
CF: “The situation is, he’s had a lot of opportunities where he could’ve jumped in the ring with me and defended his WBO Title. I agreed but he’s not happy. So it’s not because of me or my promoters, it’s because of him, he’s not wanted to fight to defend it. His old man Enzo, he’s a bit of a joker really – he makes me laugh. He’s priced him out of the fight once, asked for a million quid and he’s also matched him up with some people who are ranked below me in the world. So if he’s that confident that I can be good enough and give him the fight, then why fight people beneath me for less money? That speaks for itself.”
SB: Calzaghe vs. Lacy – who wins?
CF: “I think three years ago maybe Calzaghe would have out boxed Lacy, he’d have done a good job with him. Three years on, he’s thirty four, thirty five, he’s missus has messed around with his head and he’s a broken man. I don’tthink he’s fully focused on the fight game anymore, and I think he’s past his best. Saying that, he’s still a tough strong warrior, and he still means business and he’s a great fight – I’ve got a lot of respect for Joe Calzaghe. I wouldn’t be taking that fight lightly; I just know I’ve got the tools to beat him, its just frustrating that we can’t get the fight on. Then I have to listen to the stick I get in the Boxing Monthly and the press when they have a go at me, but my time will come. I’ve had seventeen fights now, with thirteen knockouts – I’ll get there and I’ll win those Titles I want.”
SB: What would you feel about taking on the winner of the Calzaghe-Lacy fight?
CF: “I don’t feel it’ll happen, but if it did I would have confidence in myself.”
SB: When would you step up to that challenge?
CF: “Mid to late next year, I’ve got a European Title fights to get out the way, another couple of fights I can be there at that level.”
SB: Would you fight Stateside again?
CF: “Yes, definitely, that’s where the big bucks are. That’s where boxings massive and it where it all counts. Who do you ultimately want to fight there? It’s Lacy; he’s the top man in the division. You’ve got Kessler, Beyer, Calzaghe and Lacy; they’re the top four. They’ve got the belts; WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO. But a fight with Lacey is what I ultimately want to be involved in, either in the States or over here, for big money, and I want to prove myself to everyone. I’ve got what it takes to become the King of the World in the super middleweight division.”
SB: You recently visited Bigwood Comprehensive School, what were your reasons for doing that?
CF: “I went to promote boxing and to promote the benefit of it for kids, to get them involved in a discipline sport like boxing. But not necessarily just boxing; football, rugby, cricket, tennis any sport. Its important for them to listen to someone a couple of generations older than them and they’ve got respect for the guy and listen to him, then that will help them out in their school life. It helped me out in the classroom, I was a very unruly kid, didn’t listen or pay attention. But when my dad took me down to the boxing club, I started to listen and learn more easily. I was the boxing that did that, I had adults telling me what to do and I gave them a lot of respect.”
SB: Tell me about your name, Carl “The Cobra’” Froch, what does it mean for you?
CF: “I sit back and wait for my opponent to make a move, and then strike with a venomous attack. And I live up to my nickname; I punch very hard, one bite from The Cobra and you’re in trouble. It works well, “Carl The Cobra’s’ got a ring to it as well.”
