They said he was too slow. They said he was simply not skilled enough. They said that he would finally get knocked out. Yet, Carl“The Cobra” Froch (29-2 21 KO) continues to prove doubters wrong as he blasted away previously undefeated Romanian Lucian Bute (30-1 24 KO) within five rounds to win his third world title last Saturday. This fight was highly anticipated among the boxing community and most experts expected a close, competitive fight. However, these experts also predicted a Bute victory by either decision or mid to late round stoppage.
Going into the fight, everyone thought that Bute was simply too talented, too slick, and too powerful of a force for Froch to handle. Before this fight, Bute had looked nearly unbeatable as he blasted away many opponents, including Brian Magee and Jean Paul Mendy. But Froch proved that quality can overcome quantity. Before this bout, Froch had engaged in the Super Six Tournament and fought highly talented and tough opposition without taking any “easy” bouts. Among the opponents that Froch faced include Mikkel Kessler, Andre Dirrell, Arthur Abraham, Glen Johnson, and finally Andre Ward in the final matchup of the tournament.
Another reason why Froch was considered to be the underdog of this matchup was due to the Ward fight in which he was systematically picked apart and eventually lost a lopsided unanimous decision. Meanwhile, Bute was coming into this fight after winning a dominant decision over former light heavyweight champion, Glen Johnson. Froch had beaten Johnson as well but Bute had a much easier outing against the aging Johnson.
It was clear from the opening bell that the difference in experience would prove fatal to Bute, to the surprise of virtually everybody. Even though the early assault of Froch looked clumsy in comparison to the smooth movement of Bute, Froch was able to prove his point by constantly walking through Bute’s best shots. Froch began to take over the fight in the third round, when a series of punches, including Froch’s wrecking ball right hand, landed on Bute and forced the Canadian-based star to hold on for dear life.
Froch knew he hurt his man, but he stayed calm and continued to apply intelligent pressure throughout the fourth round. Bute tried to work his way back into the fight and landed some great left hands that would have hurt or even knocked down anyone else. But Froch has always had an iron chin and it was on display as he continued to walk through Bute’s best shots in order to work his jab and power shots. Froch once again staggered Bute badly at the end of the round, but the bell saved Bute, if only for a little bit longer.
The end came in the fifth round, when Froch picked up where he left off and continued to pound Bute with power shots. Froch put Bute against the ropes and hit him with another right hand and snapped Bute’s head back and stunned him. Froch followed up and hit Bute with another right hand, which forced the corner of Bute to throw in the towel.
Right now, it is this writer’s opinion that Carl Froch is the best British fighter in the world right now, especially after this victory. His accomplishments exceed those of any other active English fighter out there. Hopefully, the boxing media will finally give Froch the respect and admiration he truly deserves.
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Categories: Boxing
