Ringside Boxing Report: Carl Froch vs. Jean Pascal
© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
On Saturday night at a packed Trent FM Arena in Nottingham, England, Hennessy Sports promoted a fight night headlined by the vacant WBC Super Middleweight title clash between Carl ‘The Cobra’ Froch and Canadian Jean Pascal.
Pascal entered the ring surrounded by his entourage holding his five belts aloft. Then “We will, We Will Rock You†rang out around the noisy arena as Froch began his entrance to the ring and a waiting Pascal.
The atmosphere in the arena was fantastic! As the bell signalled the start of the fight – the crowds erupt as Froch gets straight to work on Pascal.
“Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottingham!â€, the crowds sing as Froch gets off to a great start. Pascal is tentative as he nicks little shots in the first half of the round – blocking two big hooks and then stands – almost smirking at Froch as if to say ‘if that’s all you’ve got – this’ll be easy!’
Then Froch drops the left arm low and Pascal throws a right hook and that’s the first indication of the power of his punches. Seconds later Pascal counters with a quick sweeping left hook and he lands on target again, followed a moment after with a body shot and then a left hook again on target.
Froch looks like he knows the power of Pascal now – and Pascal looks like he’s happy to wait till he’s ready to ’take him’.
Round Two and Pasca’ls speed is impressive. Promoter Mick Hennessy hasn’t sat down yet and is still shouting from his standing position by the ring! It’s a close round two.
Round three sees both men landing big shots and the crowds are on their feet – enthralled by this fight! Froch is getting caught with a lot of shots – but puts on the pressure midway through the round then whips out the left jab.
“Who are ya, Who are ya!?†the crowd chant. Both men go for the big shot – but it’s Froch who manages to get through. Pascal lands with a heavy head and body-shot, then Froch comes back with one as the bell ends round three and the crowds are standing up all around the arena – and it’s only round three! There’s a sense that this fight could all be over any minute and by either man.
With just over a minute of round four remaining, Froch lands a big right hook then Pascal lands a left and goes after Froch, landing another big left and right that rocks back the head of the ‘Cobra’.
Froch tries for the uppercut and Pascal lands another big right followed by a left and gasps cry out around ringside. It turns it to a ‘scrap’ as the bell ends round four.
A fellow photographer tells me he’s never seen Froch take so many punches and I reply that Pascal seems very strong – as we can hear the solidness of each punch as it lands.
Pascal’s corner are again slow to get out of the ring and Pascal remains seated until the bell has sounded – to which the crowd boo their disapproval.
Froch’s hands on defence are low and as the two men slug it out in the closing seconds of round five – Froch’s head is rocked back from Pascal’s big right and left punches and he is part-way through the ropes as the bell sounds.
Pascal is warned by the referee as they start round six. With just over a minute remaining, the Canadian lands another huge right hook on target and Froch – who must have an iron-chin – takes it well.
Round seven and Froch looks more confident as he whips out the left jab to the face of Pascal – who has slowed down slightly. Pascal looks tired as he finishes the frame but it’s been a great round for Carl Froch!
Pascal doesn’t look as comfortable now and he slackens off in the first half of round eight, then he lands a number of punches which begins with a big left to the face of Froch and finishes with a right hook in the last half minute of the frame.
Froch sustains a cut within the left eye area and he brushes the blood away with his glove. Pascal gains renewed confidence and goes for Froch but a wild swinging left punch that misses its target and sends the Canadian spinning off balance as the bell signals the end of the round – much to the amusement of the crowd!
Round nine and Pascal has his second-wind. Landing several big punches – the Canadian has a good first half of the round but as Pascal starts to tire again at the end of the round – Froch lands with a left followed by a right and Pascal seems to ‘wilt’.
He throws shots back at Froch but his legs look unsteady and he looks relieved to hear the bell. The crowds are cheering and clapping as they stand around the arena. It’s a real ‘war’ between these two men and an action-packed, ‘edge-of-your-seat’ fight.
Both men look tired now as they come out for the tenth. Froch keeps up the jab but mid-way through the eleventh – Pascal, who looks lethargic and sloppy, lands another big right hand snapping back the head of Froch who takes it well.
The last minute sees both men slugging it out toe-to-toe, punch for punch then grabbing hold momentarily for a breather.
The twelfth and final round was as exciting as the first! And Mick Hennessy was still on his feet shouting through the ropes! Both men were throwing punch for punch and almost didn’t hear the final bell – but they would have heard the cheers, for the whole arena were stood cheering and clapping at what had been a fantastic fight!
Carl Froch won by unanimous points decision by scores of 116-112, 117-111, and 118-110 and is the new WBC Super Middleweight Champion.