FROCH THE RUTHLESS DESTROYS VETERAN’S CHALLENGE

Nottingham’s Carl Froch is ready to move on to European and world honours after easily disposing of former WBC world champion Robin Reid at Nottingham Arena last night.

In front of a noisy, partisan 6,000-plus crowd, the classy Froch forced Reid into retirement at the end of the fifth round.

Unbeaten Froch will now go in search of the European title. It could be German opposition next, or a WBC final eliminator.

But a fight with Lucian Bute, who is scheduled to make the first defence of his IBF title at the end of February, is apparently no longer on the agenda.

“We have already turned Bute down once,” said happy promoter Mick Hennessy. “I would still like to see Carl box Joe Calzaghe, or failing that Mikkel Kessler.

“He could also move up to light-heavyweight and take on the likes of Clinton Woods. In fact, I would back him to beat any light-heavyweight in the county. He’s that good.”

The muscular Reid was first into the action with two typical lefts.

Froch, though, was a picture of concentration as he weighed up the opposition.

Froch, commanding the centre of the ring, opened up with a brief flurry in the second after Reid had complained about a clash of heads. The champion then landed a right and down went Reid, but the referee ruled that he had tripped up.

Froch insisted afterwards that it was a legitimate punch that deserved a count.

With the atmosphere building Froch went to work on the 45-fight veteran.

Referee Dave Parish had a word with both men to tidy things up and Froch responded with some strong combinations to the body.

There was drama right at the end of the round when Reid suddenly went down to a glancing blow in his own corner - shades of his disastrous defeat by American Jeff Lacy.

He didn’t appear to be hurt, but the referee only had time to reach a count of three before the bell went in any case.

Froch upped the pace in the fourth but he was caught by a huge overhand left from Reid. It prompted Froch to open up and he took two more lefts but indicated that they never hurt him.

Reid opened with another left and a good jab at the start of the fifth round and then showed good defence to block some powerful body shots from Froch.

A single shot from Froch to the temple had Reid taking another count but again it was too close to the end of the round. The corner gave Reid one more round but he knew he was fighting a losing battle and he surprisingly retired on his stool - citing a shoulder injury.

“That was a good comeback fight after seven months out following my knee operation,” said Froch.

“It is hard work getting back in there.

“I was pacing myself; taking my time.

”I wanted to get some rounds under my belt and it was a shame he pulled out. But I am going home a happy man.

He is past his best, I’m under no illusions about that. But he was well prepared for this fight and hungry.

“I consider myself world class. I am No1 with the WBC.

”I want Joe Calzaghe and would even move up to light-heavyweight to fight him.”

Hennessy, meanwhile, was delighted with the crowd - a record for Froch’s fights at the Arena.

“The local lads on the bill have sold a lot of tickets. They have done me proud,” he said.

“The crowd have again been superb. Carl is building a real fan base in his home town.”

Story recreated with thanks from the Nottingham Evening Post.

Published: November 14th, 2007
Author: Steve
Category: Carl Froch
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Tags: Boxing, Carl Froch, robin reid, ttp