This fight panned out exactly how I thought it would of done in that Taylor would establish a strong lead and then start to feel the pace after the sixth round. The fight changed at that point and I had the fight even going into the last round.
Well done to Jermain Taylor, I thought he started the fight really well but he really was going to find a strong 168 fighter too much in the final rounds and I knew the knockout was going to come. I admit Carl did take a lot of shots, but with his granite chin he got straight back into the fight and after the knockdown he gained his composure straight away. I think Froch did really well to change his game plan by upping the pace when he knew Taylor would struggle, the later rounds were the key to the fight and I knew Carl would take him at the end.
Very well done to Carl Froch, he really has proved that he is the man to beat at 168. Not many champs for their first ever defence would go over to face Jermain Taylor on foreign soil without any television rights. I respect Carl Froch so much for that and he dug deep when he needed to and showed that he really is a world class champion. I was very pleased that Carl kept a disaplined game plan in rounds 11 and 12 and that was the difference in the two men in the end. Carl had the bigger heart and wanted it more and big respect for Carl for doing that.
I think Jermain would give problems to ANY 168 fighter in the early parts of the fight. But he simply has to work on his stamina because he cant afford to lose championship rounds like he did against Froch. I really question what lies ahead for Taylor now, I do seem him causing problems early on but I think this third loss will really effect him in the long run and I cant see him having that burning desire again to be champion. At 30 years old its a tough time for him and I wish him luck!
For Carl Froch I believe this fight really has established himself as the man at 168. I remember before most of you even watched Carl, Bilbo called him the 'dark horse' of the weightclass. He really did prove that tonight againt Taylor and I cant wait to see him in his next fight. At 31 I really hope he goes straight for unification, Bute is the fight that makes sense to me. Allan Green will be a step backwards from Taylor IMO. Bute is what he needs to set up a fight against Kessler to really sort this weight class out.
The performance of Carl Froch early on in the fight can be critized, he was wide open when he lunged in with wild shots and Taylor capitilzed fully on that. Going into the 5th round I had Taylor ahead on every single round and with the knockdown he was up six points IMO. Froch changed his game plan, like he did against Pascal and with so much applied pressure, which Jermain Taylor couldnt take I knew he would clock up the rounds and the late stoppage I felt prior to the fight would be on the cards IF carl made it past the first half of the fight.
Correct many of you are that Taylor did have stamina issues, but none the less he is a very gifted fighter and I dont think that was the main reason why Carl won the fight. Carl diversifed to the next level and at a higher weight class I dont think Taylor could take the pressure. Sustained pressure was appiled after the 6th and it built up into the championship rounds for Carl to take the victory. Me and a few others in this forum realise what Carl brings to the table and I hope that performance against Jermain Taylor will open some of the arrogant eyes we have on this forum towards Carl Froch. He proved tonight that he is a world class fighter, he will be the man when he continues to win big named fights like this. This is the start for Carl Froch and you will see that he really will be number one in the weight class in the very near future.
As for a rematch I simply dont agree, there would be nothing to gain for Froch apart from a payday against Taylor. I see the fight ending the way it did 9/10 against Taylor. Taylor needs to move on, Froch needs to keep chasing the big names.
Well done Carl, you've proved the boxing world wrong and I am chuffed for you mate! You are a true champion my son and you dont understand how proad I am for you! 09 is the year of the cobra, mark my words Bute has it in for him if he has the balls to fight Carl.
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