Carl Froch

Carl Froch Fighter Profile, Bio and Career Record (29-2, 21 KOs)

Carl Froch is the current IBF Super Middleweight champion of the world. Hailing from Nottingham, England, the 35-year-old Froch was one of the participants in the Super Six World Boxing Classic. The tall lanky fighter uses a very low guard, very similar to Max Baer of the 1930’s. Carl uses his left shoulder to protect his chin from right handed attacks, and his right arm to protect from left handed attacks. Froch is very powerful, skilled and ready for all competition that dares to stroll into the ring.

Recent Carl Froch News

• Froch vs. Bute Rematch to Happen in 2013
• Did Carl Froch Expose Lucian Bute?
• Carl Froch vs. Chris Eubank Fantasy Fight
• More Carl Froch news

Profile updated & amended by Matt Andrzejewski in August 2012

Amateur Career & Professional Career:

As an amateur, Carl Froch was able to win two ABA Middleweight titles in 1999. His superb performance led him in 2001 to the Word Amateur boxing championships. Froch won the bronze medal during the championships, and led his success to the professional world of boxing. Carl Froch officially turned pro in March of 2002.

The 6’1 Froch was 25 years of age during his professional debut. His first opponent was weak opposition in the likes of Michael Pinnock. Froch was able to win by a fourth round technical knockout. It wasn’t until the end of 2002, when Carl Froch began to question if he was too old to fight for a world title. However, from 2003 to 2008, the public began to see this fierce, powerful fighter mow down the opposition that eventually led to numerous British championship titles.

Champion of the World:

Towards the middle of 2008, Carl Froch battered numerous opponents and was ranked as the number one Super Middleweight contender (after the title was vacated by Joe Calzaghe when he moved up to Light Heavyweight). On December 6, 2008 in Nottingham, UK, Carl Froch stepped into the ring against Jean Pascal for the WBC Super Middleweight championship.

In a hard fought twelve round unanimous decision, Carl Froch was the victor with his relentless taking and giving. Froch pursued Pascal most of the fight, taking an unusual amount of shots to the head. Eventually, it was Pascal who continued to back off at the dislike of Froch’s power. Carl Froch earned the WBC Super Middleweight championship of the world.

Carl Froch vs Jermain Taylor:

In Carl’s first title defense, he was slated to face #6 contender Jermain Taylor. Held at the Foxwoods resort in Connecticut; this would mark only the second time Carl Froch fought outside of the UK. At the start of the fight, Jermain Taylor was off to a good start landing quick efficient combinations against Froch. Late in the third round, Froch was knocked down for the first time in his career and was able to beat the count.

As the fight progressed it seemed that Taylor was edging Froch until the twelfth round. At the start of round twelve, Froch staggered Taylor early in the round. Froch continued to pummel Taylor, outscoring him 34 blows to three. The final blow came when Froch dropped Taylor with a barrage of blows to the head. Taylor barely rose at the count of 9, and Froch continued to land ferocious shots before the referee stopped the bout giving Froch the win over Taylor.

Super Six Tournament

Carl Froch agreed to take part in the Super Six World Boxing Classic, and in his opening bout of the tournament, Froch faced the undefeated Andre Dirrell on October 17^th, 2009.   Froch was the aggressor throughout the fight but had trouble landing cleanly on Dirrell.  Dirrell, on the other hand, fought with a counterpunching strategy but he was able to land cleanly at times although he was far less busy than Froch.  In the end, Froch’s aggressive style was awarded by judges with a close split decision victory.

In his next bout in the Super Six Tournament, Froch took on Mikkel Kessler in Kessler’s native Denmark.  Once again Froch was involved in a very close fight.  Kessler was busier throughout and the crowd reacted wildly whenever he had any success.  Froch seemed to land the harder shots throughout the night but was not as active as Kessler.  In the end, Kessler’s activity received the nod from the judges with a unanimous decision victory.

Froch’s next bout in the tournament would be against Arthur Abraham in Finland.  This time around Froch was much busier than Abraham and successfully outboxed his prodding opponent for a clear cut unanimous decision victory.

The wins against Dirrell and Abraham earned Froch an advancement into the tournament semifinals.  His opponent would be Glen Johnson.  From the start,Froch seemed to be in control keeping Johnson on the outside and successfully outworking the veteran fighter.  Johnson would prove to be a dangerous foe and would have his moments getting his own hard shots in from time to time.  In the end, however, Froch prevailed and earned a majority decision win and a spot in the tournament finals.

In the Finals, Froch would face off against the undefeated rising star Andre Ward.  From the outset it was apparent that Ward had the superior hand and foot speed.  He dazzled with combinations against the slower Froch on both the inside and outside.  Froch fought a determined fight and had his moments but Ward’s speed and skill proved too much.  In the end, Ward was awarded a clear unanimous decision.

Lucian Bute Fight

After Andre Ward defeated Carl Froch in the Super Six Finale many boxing insiders thought the next step for Ward would be a fight against the next best Super Middleweight in Lucian Bute.  Instead, Ward stayed on the shelf and Bute turned his attention towards Froch.  The fighters signed a two bout contract with the first fight to take place in Froch’s hometown of Nottingham and the second fight in Bute’s adopted hometown of Montreal.

The fight between Carl Froch and Lucian Bute in Nottingham took place on May 26^th, 2012.  The first few rounds were close with each man getting some good shots in.  The fight turned in the third as Froch landed more power shots than Bute and put Bute in a more defensive mode.  Froch hurt Bute again late in the fourth round.  In the fifth, Froch hurt Bute badly and unleashed a barrage of punches against a defenseless Bute to close the show.  This was the first loss of Bute’s career and the win gave Froch the IBF Super Middleweight Championship.

What’s Next for Carl Froch?

The win over Lucian Bute has put new life into the career of Carl Froch.  He contractually owes Bute a rematch in Bute’s backyard of Montreal but each fighter has agreed on one interim bout beforehand.  Froch is reportedly seeking a big name for that interim bout and one name that has been mentioned often is Kelly Pavlik.  If the Pavlik bout cannot be made, there are plenty of other possibilities including a rematch with Mikkel Kessler and even Bernard Hopkins.

Regardless of who he fights next, Carl Froch has established himself as not only one of the division’s elite but also one of its most exciting fighters.  With his fan friendly style and big following in the UK, look for many more big fights from Carl Froch in the coming years.