Froch hungry for win over Dodson

[ICB]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/6170780.stm


Carl Froch has warned Tony Dodson he will pay a heavy price for pulling out of three scheduled bouts between the pair when they finally meet on Friday.
The British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion defends his titles at the Nottingham Ice Arena.

Froch, bidding to retain the Lonsdale belt outright, said: "Dodson has basically done himself up.

"He is now fighting a Carl Froch that is more experienced, more confident and has more ability."

Liverpudlian Dodson was British champion when he was first paired with Froch in 2004 but withdrew from that contest through injury.

He also missed a further two dates with the Nottingham boxer while Froch won the Commonwealth title and then the domestic belt.

Froch said: "When I boxed Charles Adamu (in 2004) it was because I was supposed to box Dodson then.

"That was my 12th fight as a professional. I boxed Adamu for the Commonwealth and beat him.

"I've defended the title five times and I've also beaten the likes of Matthew Barney and Brian Magee who are top-ranked European level fighters."

A problematic hand injury has plagued Froch recently but the stylish 29-year-old believes he has overcome the problem once and for all.

"Training's been going very well, I've had seven or eight weeks down in London with my trainer Robert McCracken," he added.

"I go down there to stay in camp Monday to Friday.

"It gets me away from home and away from all the vices and I'm able to focus, get to bed early, eat the right foods and get quality sparring.

"I've been sparring with Andrew Lowe, Darren Barker - who is an excellent fighter coming through - and Matthew Thirlwall who is looking to establish his name on the circuit."

[smashup]

FROCH SOLID

Nov 22 2006



British and Commonwealth champ Carl Froch

BRITISH and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion Carl Froch has warned Tony Dodson he will paya heavy price for pulling out of three previously scheduled bouts when they finally meet on Friday.

Scouser Dodson was British champion when he was first paired with Frochbut was forced out of that contest after a car accident.

Injuries then forced him out of a further two dates with the Nottingham stylist, while Froch set about winning the Commonwealth title before adding the Lonsdale Belt.

The cancellations have limited the duo to verbal sparring since Dodson's initial withdrawal in 2004, but on Friday the pair finally meet, at the Nottingham Ice Arena.


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The tables have now turned with Froch the champion and strong favourite, and the self-styled 'Cobra' expects to win comfortably.

He said: "It's better for me. When I boxed Charles Adamu (in 2004) it was because I was supposed to box Dodson then.

"That was my 12th fight as a professional. I boxed Adamu for the Commonwealth and beat him.

"I've defended the Commonwealth title five times and I've also beaten the likes of Matthew Barney and Brian Magee, who are top-ranked European level fighters.

"Dodson, now, is fighting a Carl Froch that is more experienced, more confident and has more ability.

"He's basically done himself up."

[Memphis]

I can see Dodson getting abit over excited early on and making a decent arguement of it, but then paying the price a bit later on and Froch hammers him.

[superheavyrhun]

You realise Smash, that Carl won't be happy with you for posting that article. He like his surname pronounced, frotch, not frock.... I was warned before I was going to interview him! Anyhow, I can't see beyond a Froch kayo personally, but hopefully an exciting one that goes a few before the finish.

[smashup]

F*ck what FROCH thinks mate
Im on his side all day long from a Journalist point of view and i'll spell his name how it is supposed to be spelt!!

FROCH EYES KESSLER FIGHT

British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion Carl Froch has set his sights on Mikkel Kessler's WBC title providing he disposes of domestic challenger Tony Dodson tonight.

The 29-year-old Nottingham fighter finally gets it on with Dodson after the Liverpudlian former champion pulled out of scheduled contests between the pair three times due to injury.

At the time Froch labelled Dodson a "bottle job" but has accepted the grudge match at the Nottingham Arena as he looks to win the Lonsdale belt for keeps with a third defence, before relinquishing both that title and his Commonwealth crown to move up to European and world level.

Froch told PA Sport: "Dodson is going to try to burst the Froch bubble but I'm not going to let that happen.

"I'm going to move on to European and world level. That's what I'm looking at doing. I'm going to sit down with (promoter) Mick Hennessy and see what next fight is the right fight for me to move on towards the WBC world title.

"I'm currently ranked number three in the world with the WBC so whichever fight is going to bring me closer to becoming the mandatory challenger, that's the one we're going to take - whether that be a 10-round international contest or a European title fight."

Froch repeatedly called out Welshman Joe Calzaghe in the past but now accepts Danish champion Kessler is a more likely opponent.

"Kessler is 27 and Calzaghe's 34. If Calzaghe was ever going to fight me it would have been a year ago when he was making voluntary defences of his WBO title and could have boxed me," said Froch.

"But now I get the impression he's looking at earning some decent money in one or two more fights then he's going to retire.

"He's 34, he struggles at super-middleweight and I think he's looking at stepping up a weight to light-heavyweight so that fight probably won't happen.

"It won't be long until I get my mandatory shot at Kessler. If Calzaghe moves up he'll vacate two belts, the IBF and WBO, so you never know what's around the corner.

"There are a couple of quality fighters coming through. There are loads of doors I could go through to get me in contention for the world title. I'm happy to take whichever route is going to be better for me."

Froch added: "The only reason I'm fighting Dodson is to win the Lonsdale belt outright. You defend it three times and you keep the belt, and that's the reason.

"Other than that it's pointless fighting Dodson because it's a step backwards. But obviously when you win the Lonsdale belt outright it's not a step backwards because it's something to show your grandkids and it's prestigious to own a Lonsdale. Then I'll move up to European and world level.

"He's going to try to take the British title belt off me. It's my job to stop him and I will be doing that.

"I'll be stopping him in about round six or seven. I'll be knocking him spark out. He reckons I don't knock anybody out so I've got a point to prove now."

[robyork]

I dont give dodson a chance tonight. I really think froch is going to win in style . im going for an early stoppage win for the cobra.

[smashup]

Hello mate
Yeah he's getting better with every fight and against Magee (as you well know from first hand experience) he showed that VICIOUS right uppercut
I honestly think he's got the personality to become a real household name and his confidence is sky high.

[Fenster]

Smash, he always throws that uppercut, Magee aint got a chin and it was the 11th round (tiredness)...you should be more worried that Froch was only a point in front on a couple of the judges score cards having scored a previous knock down...Calzaghe and Kessler would beat Magee inside three rounds

As for tonight I can see it being the usual Froch fight - Entertaining

[smashup]

More from FROCH


CARL Froch believes he can beat Joe Calzaghe to a super-middleweight showdown with Mikkel Kessler.

Calzaghe wants to fight the Dane Kessler, but Froch claims he could face the WBC and WBA champion first.

Froch defends his British and Commonwealth titles tonight against Tony Dodson at Nottingham and he said: "I'm determined to become world champ."

[Bumface]

He like his surname pronounced, frotch, not frock.....

lol I thought it was Froch as in 'Loch'

Anyway, however you pronounce his surname, Carl has a big mouth - but I think he is spot on when he highlights the gains he has made in the intervening periods while Dodson has been laid up. Mid/late Froch KO, after a barnstorming opener, or a worst case of another Maccerinelli/Hobson 30 sec shot - nooooooooo!

[superheavyrhun]

He like his surname pronounced, frotch, not frock.....

lol I thought it was Froch as in 'Loch'

Anyway, however you pronounce his surname, Carl has a big mouth - but I think he is spot on when he highlights the gains he has made in the intervening periods while Dodson has been laid up. Mid/late Froch KO, after a barnstorming opener, or a worst case of another Maccerinelli/Hobson 30 sec shot - nooooooooo!

For some reason, as a macho boxer, he doesn't like to be associated with ladies clothing.... :P

[Hacienda]

Was Ringside for this last night.

I think Dodson wanted to have gone out on his shield rather than the body shot, but in fairness it was spot on target and it literally stole his legs.

I believe Tony can still operate at British level with the likes of Mathew Thirlwall etc.

With regards Froch, i believe we may see Lucian Bute at the Nottingham arena around March next year, in what will become the decider, to become mandatory for the WBC belt, which, should be Kessler if he comes through against Librade Andrade.

<Hello to Janie Warburton >

[smashup]

Froch still needs to pick his hands up but i love the way he stays low and always looks for the Power shots.
The shift of balance and the way he slipped Dodson's cross before rising up and nailing him flush with the right uppercut is becoming a Froch trademark.
He did it against Magee in the first round and used it last night which set up the KO punches.
Totally believes in his power to KO anyone he faces.
Going places this fella
The Hughes/Cocoran fight was amazing too and the other two shown on Sky were wars as well.
Great night of boxing and one of Sky's best Fridays in recent memory.

[Steelie]

I sense people are starting to believe in Carl

Won't be long before we get the 'I've liked Carl since the ams' crowd coming on, I reckon

[Memphis]

I believe it was me that started the Carl Froch fan club. If Taansend wants to come back and say different he is welcome to

He still spends too much time looking like he's winning rather than getting on with it for me, he ought to knock that in the head now before he fights someone that wont allow it. Fenster I agree. If Froch was genuine world class he would have walked through Magee. Froch is big and strong with a good chin and decent punch(only decent mind) and he would give anyone a good arguement. I cant see him beating a Kessler or Calzaghe (wont get the chance) though.