Reid calls out Froch

[Fenster]

Shows what a great impression Froch is having

I'd of fancied Reid to win before Lacy duffed him up, and although I agree with Memphis that he would take Frochs punches all night long, and I think Froch would only be a slight favourite, its probably best for Reid to call it a day.

[CityOfGod]

This fight is going to be made (trust me) unless Reid don't fancy it.

I tip Froch to go for Reid, then european strap then onto world title fight - hopefully with Kessler.

Dont be suprised to this anounced in the next month

[CityOfGod]

An old article, forecasting the potential domestic fight:


Robin Reid - Carl Froch


Reid celebrates taking the IBO crown from Magee


By Elliot Worsell: Analysing the domestic super middleweight division without a mention of long reigning WBO titleholder Joe Calzaghe is about as unheard of as describing the traits of Sir Alex Ferguson without referencing the array of domestic trophies he's won and merely commenting on his peculiar, gum chewing, watch watching sideline antics. The words 'Calzaghe' and 'domestic super middleweight supremacy go' fist in glove, or at least have done for the past seven or eight years. It's a mark of Calzaghe's recent stagnation however when the single 168 lb domestic match up that whets the appetites of fight fans nationwide doesn't include the phrases 'Joe Calzaghe', 'WBO title defence' and 'Wales'.

Don't be under any illusions that Calzaghe is no longer the British numero uno at 12 stone - with fine wins over the likes of Chris Eubank, Richie Woodhall, David Starie, and Robin Reid - he's more than rubberstamped his niche as the chief domestic slayer. It's just that other, more go-getting individuals on a plateau down from the one at which Calzaghe resides, are causing quite a stir.

The final part of 2005's domestic matches to die for series weighs up a possible youth versus experienced contest between ex WBC kingpin Robin Reid and up and coming British and Commonwealth titleholder Carl Froch, both of whom are perched under Calzaghe at present, but yet in a roundabout way, are all the more appealing.

Who are they?

Former WBC and reigning IBO titlist Robin Reid, a bronze medallist at the 92' Barcelona Olympics, and 27 year old Carl 'The Cobra' Froch, the domestic double champion and former bronze medallist at the 2001 World Amateur Championships. Two of Britain's finest amateur participants, both currently possessing titles, and both presently looking for a fast track to the competitive world super middleweight top 10. One of the two has been there before, the other, is merely waiting in anticipation.

The 33-year-old Reid, born in Runcorn and trained under the guidance of Brian Hughes, commenced his accomplished ring career back in February 1993, and has since competed in seven genuine world title battles as well as a flurry of lesser regarded 'world title' bouts. The 1992 golden, or perhaps bronze, boy of British boxing rallied to 22 fights unbeaten (consisting of 21 wins and one draw over six rounds to Danny Juma) on the domestic circuit, without ever matching his talents with the domestic champions at the time in British or Commonwealth title exchanges.

Rather than extending his home based development any further, at 25 years of age, Reid jetted out to Milan, Italy to dabble in their local cuisine and rid their respected WBC super middleweight champion of his most prized asset. Experienced titleholder Vincenzo Nardiello was chopped down in seven rounds, and Reid, realising a knockout was almost a necessity to pull off a foreign turf victory, rose to the occasion and achieved what many before had failed to do; win a major, recognised title on away soil.

Three notable defences of Reid's treasured WBC strap entailed with the 'Grim Reaper' overwhelming the unbeaten Giovanni Pretorius inside course and out pointing tough, aggressive types Henry Wharton and Hassine Cherifi in give and take warfare. The fourth challenger looking to relinquish Reid of his title was an altogether more demanding proposition however. Wily South African Thulane 'Sugar Boy' Malinga, the scourge of the domestic super middleweight division through much of the 1990's befuddled a lacklustre and dumbfounded Reid in December 97' at the London Arena. The out of sorts 'Reaperman' passed on the WBC baton in timid style, and would have to wait 14 months for the next opportunity to erase such dissatisfaction.

Joe Calzaghe's WBO title was the source of aspiration this time around as Reid attempted to become reinstated as 'world champion' albeit at a lesser-established pedestal to the one he previously inhabited. Crisp right hand counter shots buzzing the southpaw Calzaghe were the course of the day for Reid in their 1999 showdown, but alas, despite a strong effort, Robin was squeezed out on a much disputed split decision. A verdict that remains the origin for a lot of welled up frustration Reid seemingly has towards Calzaghe and Sports Network for not wrapping up an eagerly awaited rematch between the pair.

Still, never one to stand still, Reid trudged on ominously in search of further 'world title opportunities'. The chance for third time lucky arose when muscular Italian Silvio Branco was drafted in to defend his spurious WBU title on the massive June 2000 Mike Tyson-Lou Saverese fight card in Glasgow. It was a major opportunity to re-emerge on the world scene for Reid, but in terms of title prestige, the scouser had transcended from performing with Luciano Pavarotti to singing with Aled Jones and now to waiting the table while the three tenors eat their feed. Despite decking the big Italian in the final round Reid once again failed to dethrone a reigning champion. Reid went down on points over 12 rounds and the defeat began a portentous three-year hiatus from world-class boxing for Robin.

Mixing exclusively at WBF title level, Reid was globetrotting without his Harlem back up team. Beating the likes of Soon Botes, an ageing Julio Cesar Vasquez and Francisco Mora amongst others did little for his world standing, his global reputation or his pocket, but crucially, it gave Reid some exposure. The BBC screened the majority of Reid's routine WBF title defences, and then in December 2003, in a significant turn of events, they also aired his shock IBF title challenge against German wil' o' wisp Sven Ottke. Like so many others before him - amid low blows, an incompetent refereeing performance, and BAFTA worthy Ottke antics - Reid was on the receiving end of a razor thin home points verdict.

As with the any first-rate musical act though, as good as the first album is, the second one has to maintain the high standards set. Reid, moving from an IBF title shot to an IBO stab at Irishman Brian Magee soon eradicated his Nurnberg disappointment with a four knockdown romp of the much vaunted King's Hall favourite. Barring the recent 'Bravo' televised drubbing of the overmatched Ramdane Serdjane, the Magee slaying remains Reid's last noteworthy ring excursion.

Carl Froch, on the otherhand, has been all about activity and business since trading in the vest and headgear nearly three years ago. Unbeaten at 14-0 (11) Froch has already sprinted to Commonwealth and British title triumphs and has been sufficiently tested in hard, gruelling battles. The self styled 'Cobra' has already been hustled for 12 rounds by teak tough Ghanaian Charles Adamu and 11 rounds by slick Canadian southpaw Mark Woolnough. The foundations appear, thus far, to be solid and substantial.

He's beaten decent trial horse types Michael Monaghan and Russian lefty Vage Kocharyan and also bettered domestic fellow unbeaten Alan Page in a hotly contested English title match in November 2003. It remains the performance that brought out some of the best work Froch has produced in the formative years of his ring career. Switching methodically from head to body, Froch, a toying, risqué type of power puncher, systematically broke the will of a very game young title challenger who by round seven had no answer to the spiteful bursts being laid on him by 'The Cobra'.

Less impressive was Carl's Commonwealth title steal against champion Charles Adamu in Nottingham four months later. Behind on the cards and looking increasingly lethargic, Froch, showing grittiness and mettle, pulled a big right hand from out of nowhere, decking the rampaging Ghanaian in the eighth round and tightening up the score. He ultimately ran out a three-point winner in a brilliant, evenly poised, early learning fight. His first defence was similarly poised and similarly give and take as Froch cut down Mark Woolnough in 11 rounds to hold onto his title and answer questions regarding his ability to deal with natural left handed movers. Although caught with cute straight lefts now and again, Froch was easy on the eye once he dug his toes in and let the leather fly.

Froch's last outing, a British title winning, one round demolition of Derby warrior Damon Hague last September, remains his most meaningful contest to date in terms of prestige but yet also his most meaningless in terms of rigour. In winning the coveted title - vacated by the unfortunate Tony Dodson - Froch proved he was a sharp puncher on the look out for bigger and better things. But we knew that already.


What's up for grabs?

It's a sad indication of the times when a massive domestic humdinger like this would ultimately reward the victor with an IBO title rather than the historic British and Commonwealth belts. One presumes, should the fight ever get made, Froch, only recently crowned champion, would have to give up his goods.

Still, in a boxing era with so much emphasis placed on the adage that fighters should make the fights not the belts being contested, IBO title or not, this one still has the makings of a classic. Lest we forget, young cruiserweight prospect David Haye laid his reputation on the line in an IBO title challenge against one of the world's top cruiser's (Carl Thompson) only last year. Something similar would be worked out between the veteran Reid and the rising Froch.

With two solid championship distance fight's behind him and a couple of crucial mid range learning fights contested, it's fair to say Froch is in a more primed position than knockout specialist Haye was when making the leap into world class he attempted last September. Two titles to his name, and the feel of the championship rounds firmly in his grasp, Froch, at 27, has little reason to hold back on his progression given the array of ring tools he possesses. Reid, by contrast, as proven in his routine and somewhat hollow win last Sunday over the Frenchman Serdjane, doesn't appear to be going anywhere fast, and given his dangerous right hand and granite beard, it's hardly surprising. Until an outlet rears its head in similar fashion to 2003's tilt at Ottke's title, Reid may as well sweep up the domestic 12 stone division in title matches fight fans crave. Calzaghe may be out of bounds, but the rest aren't.

How likely?

It's a possible. With TV dates a wanted commodity nowadays promoters essentially have a choice. It's either great domestic fights with exposure, or meagre, routine, fights with no exposure. There's no doubting a Reid-Froch match up would be a nod towards the former, and given that both have appeared in tandem on the BBC in the last 12 months there's a fan familiarity there to be massaged. Froch, possession of the tight-knit Hennessy Sports clan, as with many BBC fighters, has no immediate television contract, and like Reid, appears to be taking each fight as it comes.

Despite both being titlists of some description, as Prince said, it's a 'sign of the times', that both boxers' most immediate business are non-title bouts looked upon as nothing more than routine. Reid bludgeoned the hapless Serdjane last week and Froch was to have fought Californian Christian Cruz in Los Angeles last weekend but that bout did not materialise. Amid so much uncertainty, when the going's good (as it would be in the form of a Reid-Froch tear-up), it's good to get going. In the current climate opportunities are a must, and with Froch looking to ascend past the domestic scene onto the bigger stage, respected perennial contender Reid and his fringe IBO title could be just the tonic required.

Why not?

It's all to do with timing. The fight won't happen if a) Reid and promoter Jess Harding are adamant that a genuine world title opportunity can be delivered in 2005, or b) if Froch or Mick Hennessy deem the seasoned and hard hitting Reid to be a step too far at this current 14 fight juncture.

The risk of fighting a buoyant young banger like Froch may just be not worth it given the little appreciation Reid would receive on the global stage. Froch, despite his amateur achievements and unbeaten slate is still yet to break mainstream, and Reid, in light of his many world title fights, will always remain a 'name' at 168. The needs of the two ambitious pugilists may just never line up.

When can we expect it?

The back end of 05', if ever. Despite an eagerness to mix it with the worlds best and a lack of British title level talent at super middleweight, one would expect Froch to continue racking up defences of his newly acquired title until an opportunity to further himself arises. Similarly Reid, proprietor of a title with perhaps the most accurate ranking system going, will be able to lure decent contenders to challenge his fringe IBO title and make a decent wage. Froch meanwhile, if schedules fail to match up with Reid, can look to the likes of Liverpudlian and ex prospective foe Tony Dodson and future Calzaghe opponent Brian Magee as potential challenges to his 12 stone crowns.

Ranked at number four by the WBC and IBF, and three by the WBA, Reid, 38-4-1 (27), is also in a prime position to potentially challenge one of the other super middleweight champions sometime in 2005. A return ticket to Germany to face the WBC's tricky southpaw champion Markus Beyer perhaps? Or maybe a dual with come-forward types WBA king Mikkel Kessler and IBF possessor Jeff 'Left Hook' Lacy. One champion that will probably never entertain Reid however is WBO king Joe Calzaghe. The Welshman - who fights Brian Magee on March 18 - like Sir Alex, just keeps on chewing and watching that watch.

February 21, 2005

[warreng]

well said scrap. i fully agree

[smashup]

Shows what a great impression Froch is having

I'd of fancied Reid to win before Lacy duffed him up, and although I agree with Memphis that he would take Frochs punches all night long, and I think Froch would only be a slight favourite, its probably best for Reid to call it a day.

"duffed him up"

You've took me back to school days there fella

[Fenster]

Shows what a great impression Froch is having

I'd of fancied Reid to win before Lacy duffed him up, and although I agree with Memphis that he would take Frochs punches all night long, and I think Froch would only be a slight favourite, its probably best for Reid to call it a day.

"duffed him up"

You've took me back to school days there fella

Wondered what you was on about in the other thread