Boxing Preview Analysis: Carl Froch vs. Jermain Taylor

© Tom Casino / Showtime Boxing

It’s the biggest fight in the 25 bout career to date of “The Cobra”.

Tonight at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, Nottingham’s Carl Froch makes the first defence of his WBC Super Middleweight Championship against former middleweight king Jermain Taylor.

For Froch, it’s his first venture outside the British Isles. Constantly calling out the big names in his seven year pro career, he finally gets his wish.

In Taylor, he meets a man who ended Bernard Hopkins’ decade long reign as middleweight champion back in 2005. That, along with his rematch win against “The Executioner”, looks more impressive considering Hopkins’ achievements since.

Taylor, who has only lost twice in his pro career, has unquestionably mixed with the bigger names in boxing if you compare the records of the combatants tonight.

As well as his two wins over Hopkins, he has mixed it up with the likes of Jeff Lacy, Ronald ‘Winky’ Wright, Cory Spinks, William Joppy and Kassim Ouma.

Apart from the draw against Wright, the only black mark on his record is the two middleweight defeats against the rugged Kelly Pavlik in 2007 and 2008.

It feels as if Froch has been waiting all his career for a fight like this. After calling out domestic rival Joe Calzaghe for years, Froch bid his time, defeating the cream of his other domestic rivals.

Foes such as Robin Reid, Tony Dodson and Brian Magee were dispatched before Froch got his big chance last December for, ironically, Calzaghe’s vacated WBC title.

In an exciting matchup, Froch, cheered on by his hometown crowd in Nottingham, battled to a 12 round decision win over Canadian Jean Pascal. Now, Froch looks to make the big money.

The fact that Froch has agreed to fight in the USA certainly, for me, shows his intent and I feel that tonight he will be one of who has the most desire.

Taylor undoubtedly has class but Froch has only just captured the belt and won’t be giving it up without a battle. Had this fight taken place four years ago, I would have gone for Taylor in a heartbeat, but times have changed. I know it’s a cliche, but there’s a new kid on the block.

Taylor will have his moments for sure. but I think i’ts Froch’s time. Although he might have to take some jolting shots early on in the figh,t I think the champion will come through this tough first defence, possibly by points.

I even feel if he lands enough shots as the bout wears on, Froch might stop Taylor late and hopefully, give British boxing some momentum going into the following week’s Ricky Hatton vs. Manny Pacquiao super fight.