Froch vs. Ward - Saturday fight/chat thread

[Mars_ax]

The action starts on Showtime here in the States @ 9:00 PM ET Saturday night, or @ around 2:00 AM Sunday in the UK/Europe. It doesn't look like Showtime will show the Kell Brook undercard fight.

- At last, a Brit fighter I actually like, hehe. Seems like most boxing fans are picking Ward, but i'd love to see Carl take this one and win the Super-Six tourney, as well as the trophy and the WBA/WBC super-middleweight straps.

Dec. 17
At Atlantic City, N.J. (Showtime): Super Six World Boxing Classic final, Andre Ward vs. Carl Froch, WBA/WBC super middleweight unification; Kell Brook vs. Luis Galarza, 10 rounds, welterweights; Bowie Tupou vs. Donnell Holmes, 10 rounds, heavyweights.

It should be a great night of boxing. I'm gonna go with Froch by SD, which will set up a Froch vs. Ward II next year, perhaps in the UK.

Thoughts?

[shza]

- At last, a Brit fighter I actually like, hehe. Seems like most boxing fans are picking Ward, but i'd love to see Carl take this one and win the Super-Six tourney, as well as the trophy and the WBA/WBC super-middleweight straps.

Dec. 17
At Atlantic City, N.J. (Showtime): Super Six World Boxing Classic final, Andre Ward vs. Carl Froch, WBA/WBC super middleweight unification; Kell Brook vs. Luis Galarza, 10 rounds, welterweights; Bowie Tupou vs. Donnell Holmes, 10 rounds, heavyweights.

Kell Brook on the undercard, it should be a great night of boxing. I'm gonna go with Froch by SD, which will set up a Froch vs. Ward II next year, perhaps in the UK.

Thoughts?

Ward UD. Froch's strength is his toughness and Ward is just as tough plus far sounder technically, and a much better athlete. I admire Froch's heart and chin but against good technical fighters, he hasn't looked great. He looked beyond sloppy against Kessler.

I do think both guys will have to work very hard and it's probably Ward's toughest challenge to date (though arguably Kessler was a bigger challenge).

Unfortunately it has the potential to be ugly and boring, like many of Ward's more-recent fights.

[Mars_ax]

- At last, a Brit fighter I actually like, hehe. Seems like most boxing fans are picking Ward, but i'd love to see Carl take this one and win the Super-Six tourney, as well as the trophy and the WBA/WBC super-middleweight straps.

Dec. 17
At Atlantic City, N.J. (Showtime): Super Six World Boxing Classic final, Andre Ward vs. Carl Froch, WBA/WBC super middleweight unification; Kell Brook vs. Luis Galarza, 10 rounds, welterweights; Bowie Tupou vs. Donnell Holmes, 10 rounds, heavyweights.

Kell Brook on the undercard, it should be a great night of boxing. I'm gonna go with Froch by SD, which will set up a Froch vs. Ward II next year, perhaps in the UK.

Thoughts?

Ward UD. Froch's strength is his toughness and Ward is just as tough plus far sounder technically, and a much better athlete. I admire Froch's heart and chin but against good technical fighters, he hasn't looked great. He looked beyond sloppy against Kessler.

I do think both guys will have to work very hard and it's probably Ward's toughest challenge to date (though arguably Kessler was a bigger challenge).

Unfortunately it has the potential to be ugly and boring, like many of Ward's more-recent fights.

Both pugs tend to have ugly/boring fights, i'm hoping that because of what's at stake we get to see a really good scrap. Carl has been battle tested, but i'm not so sure Ward has been yet, so it will be interesting to see how Ward does when he's up against someone who's his equal, that can bang.

I like Froch's chances in this fight, i'm thinking that Ward might be a tad overrated, and I just don't see Ward being able to "dominate" Froch or control the action. Atlantic City is Froch's new home away from home, and even though it's in the U.S., Froch will have as many if not more fans cheering him on.

BTW, I thought Kessler/Froch was a damn good, action packed Super-middleweight fight, I was impressed with both guys.

[LobowolfXXX]

I have a hard time seeing how anyone can pick Froch in this fight. I think it's a ho-hum UD for Ward. As far as being "battle tested," it seems weird to suggest that because Ward had an easy win over Kessler, while Froch struggled and lost to him, that's somehow a point in Froch's favor.

[Mars_ax]

I have a hard time seeing how anyone can pick Froch in this fight. I think it's a ho-hum UD for Ward. As far as being "battle tested," it seems weird to suggest that because Ward had an easy win over Kessler, while Froch struggled and lost to him, that's somehow a point in Froch's favor.

Who suggested that? All I said was Froch/Kessler was a good fight.

[LobowolfXXX]

I have a hard time seeing how anyone can pick Froch in this fight. I think it's a ho-hum UD for Ward. As far as being "battle tested," it seems weird to suggest that because Ward had an easy win over Kessler, while Froch struggled and lost to him, that's somehow a point in Froch's favor.

Who suggested that? All I said was Froch/Kessler was a good fight.

When you said that Froch has been battle-tested, but it's not clear that Ward has been yet. That's something I'd put in Froch's favor if it were the result of Froch's having faced markedly better competition, but when Ward hasn't been tested because he had an easy time with a guy who beat Froch, that's a different story.

[Mars_ax]

I have a hard time seeing how anyone can pick Froch in this fight. I think it's a ho-hum UD for Ward. As far as being "battle tested," it seems weird to suggest that because Ward had an easy win over Kessler, while Froch struggled and lost to him, that's somehow a point in Froch's favor.

Who suggested that? All I said was Froch/Kessler was a good fight.

When you said that Froch has been battle-tested, but it's not clear that Ward has been yet. That's something I'd put in Froch's favor if it were the result of Froch's having faced markedly better competition, but when Ward hasn't been tested because he had an easy time with a guy who beat Froch, that's a different story.

I wasn't just referring to Froch's fight with Kessler or making a comparison to Ward's fight with Kessler. It's more about Froch having been in battles and passing the test, but it remains to be seen how Ward will do when he's in a dog fight and/or faced with serious adversity for the first time.

Ward may do just fine against Froch, but I believe he's going to have problems. This is not going to be an easy fight for Ward, Froch isn't a pushover for anyone, including Ward.

[Rantcatrat]

I'm rooting for the man from Notthingham. Froch has sold me. His bravado, which is borderline arrogant, can't hide that he also is a class act, and he is a nuanced boxer even though at first glance he appears slow and odd. I would favor Froch in a rematch with Kessler and I view Froch as the third best super middleweight behind Ward and Bute. He also is the best current fighter from Great Britain. That said, I have a hard time seeing how he beats Ward other than by landing a big shot. Ward won't tire like Taylor and he won't fight negatively like Dirrell. It's more likely that this is Ward's coming out party. Ward also has a drive to win that is similar to Froch's if not greater. Ward also appears to have more tricks up his sleeve than Froch. It's tough because I can't count Froch completely out.

A couple things that haven't been pointed out yet are that while Ward did look much better against Kessler for whatever it's worth (and it may not be too much) I believe Froch fought a better version of Mikkell Kessler than Ward did. Also, against their other common opponent, Abraham, Froch looked better than Ward. Also, Froch's had the tougher road in the Super Six.

[erics44]

Ward has a suspect chin and his best win was against Kessler, a fight he won with his head

also by the interview given on boxnation by kessler the ward camp was a bit naughty in the build up

all his other big wins his opponents have been soundly beaten by other fighters and in a much ore convincing mannor (Bika, Abraham, Green)

He has spent the whole of the supersix fighting at home, 2 of those fights in his home town

he has also had a much easier route to the final than froch

Ward is overrated

Froch by KO

[Mattyhitman]

Whoever loses this fight, will they be vilified and courted around the forum as a bum that should never of been fighting in the tournament in the first place ? I wonder....


Anywho, I see Ward taking the fight, but would love to see Carl take it to him and win. Froch gets hit far to easy for my liking, but does have great heart and some sound skills so hopefully he will pull it out.

[Mars_ax]

Ward has a suspect chin and his best win was against Kessler, a fight he won with his head

also by the interview given on boxnation by kessler the ward camp was a bit naughty in the build up

all his other big wins his opponents have been soundly beaten by other fighters and in a much ore convincing mannor (Bika, Abraham, Green)

He has spent the whole of the supersix fighting at home, 2 of those fights in his home town

he has also had a much easier route to the final than froch

Ward is overrated

Froch by KO

I agree with most of what you're saying eric, Ward headbutted, fouled his way to win over Kessler in yet another fight in his hometown. Ward has also had a much easier route to the final than Froch, and I do believe he's a tad overrated. What I don't agree with is Froch winning by KO, that just isn't very likely, although i'd love seeing it. Realistically, if Froch wins at all it will be by a close, somewhat controversial decision, probably a SD.
BTW, I have nothing but disdain for Ward, but he is good at that shit that he does, it wins him fights, so this will be a tough fight for Carl.

[erics44]

Ward has a suspect chin and his best win was against Kessler, a fight he won with his head

also by the interview given on boxnation by kessler the ward camp was a bit naughty in the build up

all his other big wins his opponents have been soundly beaten by other fighters and in a much ore convincing mannor (Bika, Abraham, Green)

He has spent the whole of the supersix fighting at home, 2 of those fights in his home town

he has also had a much easier route to the final than froch

Ward is overrated

Froch by KO

I agree with most of what you're saying eric, Ward headbutted, fouled his way to win over Kessler in yet another fight in his hometown. Ward has also had a much easier route to the final than Froch, and I do believe he's a tad overrated. What I don't agree with is Froch winning by KO, that just isn't very likely, although i'd love seeing it. Realistically, if Froch wins at all it will be by a close, somewhat controversial decision, probably a SD.
BTW, I have nothing but disdain for Ward, but he is good at that shit that he does, it wins him fights, so this will be a tough fight for Carl.

Ward was out on his feet against Bika so I think a KO is a possibility

[Rantcatrat]

Ward has a suspect chin and his best win was against Kessler, a fight he won with his head

also by the interview given on boxnation by kessler the ward camp was a bit naughty in the build up

all his other big wins his opponents have been soundly beaten by other fighters and in a much ore convincing mannor (Bika, Abraham, Green)

He has spent the whole of the supersix fighting at home, 2 of those fights in his home town

he has also had a much easier route to the final than froch

Ward is overrated

Froch by KO

Erics, the problem i see for Froch is that what's to say Ward won't fight the exact same way that he has in fights past using his head and rough-housing on the inside to smother Froch? It's been effective, why stop? Odds are he'll be the same Ward once again. Then ask yourself what can/will Froch do differently? Froch can fight backing up (Glen Johnson); Froch can box at range (Arthur Abraham); and, Froch can box (Jermain Taylor). When has Froch faced this type of fighter though? I believe it's very tough to prepare for Ward and that is part of what makes him a difficult opponent. Froch had Kid Chocolate and Tony Bellew (and some guy named Richard Pierson) to spar, but I don't see either as being able to replicate Ward well. Hopkins could. Kessler said that he had spoken to Froch on the phone and gave him tips. Hopefully, that will help Froch.

However, Froch has had trouble with speed. Dirrell had him wobbled if I recall once in their fight from catching Froch cleanly when Froch's hands were down and Taylor had him down from catching Froch cleanly in their fight. Ward has similar speed to Taylor although not as fast as Dirrell. Ward's a tough matchup for anyone at 168 and for Froch too. When I saw Ward dropped against ____ (can't recall name now), it was the guy's speed that shocked Ward. Froch doesn't have blinding speed. I believe Bute and Dirrell are tougher match-ups for Ward because of that. However, I can see Ward smother Bute too to be fair. Frankly, if Dirrell's head is in the game and he shows me he can adjust like Froch and Ward can, he may stylystically be the toughest for Ward.

Froch's best chance is that he catches Ward with something heavy earlier in the fight that makes Ward think twice about getting in range. It's possible but I suspect Ward dominates Froch with speed and rough-housing. Ward hasn't stopped anyone recently, maybe he does this time?

[Rantcatrat]

Ward has a suspect chin and his best win was against Kessler, a fight he won with his head

also by the interview given on boxnation by kessler the ward camp was a bit naughty in the build up

all his other big wins his opponents have been soundly beaten by other fighters and in a much ore convincing mannor (Bika, Abraham, Green)

He has spent the whole of the supersix fighting at home, 2 of those fights in his home town

he has also had a much easier route to the final than froch

Ward is overrated

Froch by KO

I agree with most of what you're saying eric, Ward headbutted, fouled his way to win over Kessler in yet another fight in his hometown. Ward has also had a much easier route to the final than Froch, and I do believe he's a tad overrated. What I don't agree with is Froch winning by KO, that just isn't very likely, although i'd love seeing it. Realistically, if Froch wins at all it will be by a close, somewhat controversial decision, probably a SD.
BTW, I have nothing but disdain for Ward, but he is good at that shit that he does, it wins him fights, so this will be a tough fight for Carl.

Ward was out on his feet against Bika so I think a KO is a possibility

When did that happen?

[Tam Seddon]

I have just wrote a 3,500 word article on Froch's progression in the super six and my views on the Ward fight. Hopefully it will be on the main site in time for the fight, Ill post it as soon as its on the website.

Got quite a lot of my views about the fight on it, there was so much to talk about. So excited for the fight though, really hope Froch can do it.