Froch and McCracken go at it.

British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion Carl Froch and Hennessy Sports trainer Robert McCracken came to blows last week. This, however, was not the result of a wind-up gone bad in the team gym or to settle a dispute over some archaic boxing fact, but rather in the interests of preparing Froch for his American debut this Thursday in Hollywood when he headlines an HBO Latino show in a ten rounder against WBC #11 Henry Porras. He explained: “Everyone knows about the problems I have in getting the likes of Joe Calzaghe, Robin Reid and Brian Magee to fight me, but a lesser known fact is that I also can’t get regular sparring partners. Most of the people we draft in turn up for one day and then are never to be seen again. I have got Robert to change his brand of deodorant but that hasn’t helped, so I guess it must be because I hit too hard. Last week we had another no show and I really wanted to spar, so Robert said he would jump in with me. At first I thought it was a joke, but then he started to tape up. I felt like The Karate Kid taking on Mr. Miyagi, but thought what the hell; I need the rounds. When he hit me I knew I was in for a tough session. Robert has kept in shape since retiring in 2001, but has naturally got a bit heavier so can punch that bit harder. That just proves to me that he could have achieved even more had he not boxed as a middleweight, but rather a super middle or even a light heavyweight. I know for a fact that he struggled badly to make the weight when he went in against Keith Holmes for the WBC title.”

Froch added: “But it wasn’t just his power that caused me problems – he knew every trick in the book. Robert has so much experience having been a genuine world title challenger, a British and Commonwealth champion and WBC number one contender for god knows how long. That made it far more beneficial than most of the spars I have had. What other British trainer can give their charge a tough time in the ring?”

McCracken was equally as complimentary to his brief adversary.

“I have always said that Carl is an exceptional talent,” he began. “But having stood in front of him I now know just how exceptional. He is your worst nightmare. He wings in heavy shots, from every angle, from distance and from both hands. His timing is perfect, his reactions are lightning and his ringmanship amazingly developed for someone who has had just 14 fights. I know Carl will say otherwise, but he wasn’t going flat out due to the time I have been out of the ring. Even so he still measured up to the best I have been in with, whether in real fights or in the gyms in America. “He genuinely has what it takes to become undisputed champion of the super middleweight division and a superstar of world boxing.”