Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler officially announced their much-anticipated rematch earlier todayvia a press conference in London. Froch spoke at length about wanting to avenge the first loss of his professional career while Kessler mused on wanting to hand Froch a more decisive defeat. This fight is a unification bout with Froch’s IBF and Kessler’s WBA super middleweight titles on the line.
The fight takes place in London on May 25 at the O2 Arena. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler have agreed to terms for a much-anticipated rematch to take place in England sometime this spring.
The long-discussed fight has been in the making since Kessler won a close split decision in their initial 2010 fight, which took place during Showtime’s Super Six tournament.
In true Carl Froch fashion, he commended Kessler for accepting the rematch while vowing that his UK rival is in for a beating on the level of what Froch administered to Lucian Bute last year.
Our first fight was pure warfare. We went at each other for every minute of every round and the rematch promises to be even more fiercely contested. I seriously wish I was ringside myself for this fight, because I’m gunning for revenge at all costs and the fight fans are in for a real treat.
He is a class act both inside and outside the ropes. We are cut from the same cloth and we will be friends yet again after the fight. But the moment I heard the fight was done on the telephone, I was completely switched on and he was the focus of my mind. I can’t wait to get back into camp for this one. I’ve never felt so motivated. If Mikkel thinks he saw the best of me in Denmark then he is in for a rude awakening. I give him the utmost respect that he has the guts to board that plane and come collect a serious whooping at the hands of the ‘Cobra.’ Let’s bring it on.
While Froch has gone 4-1 since Kessler, the “Viking Warrior” has gone a perfect 3-0 (with three stoppages) since their meeting and echoed Froch’s sentiments of a rematch war.
Since that first fight, I have become even stronger. I am fresh, I am healthy and I am ready to defeat him once again. I don’t care where we fight. I said anytime, anywhere. I plan to make my loyal Viking fans, as well as everybody else in Denmark, very proud once again. I am ready for war.
Froch-Kessler II will be for the WBA and IBF super-middleweight titles.
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I had no problems with the Froch-Stevenson fight, but everyone knows Froch-Kessler II was the better fight and made much more sense (and literally more $$$). Both guys have looked good in their post-Andre Ward fights, but I’d give the edge to Froch, who in my opinion has faced the better competition over the lat few years. It’s still very early, but if we see the Froch that ran through Bute, then I see the Cobra getting his revenge on Kessler.
Andre Ward has opted to undergo surgery on his right shoulder to repair a nagging November sparring injury, effectively cancelling his already postponed matchup against Kelly Pavlik.
Originally scheduled for January 26, the fight was then moved to March 2 to allow time for Ward to recover. Although the specifics of the injury have not been disclosed, Ward’s camp has confirmed to ESPN that the injury is not a tear and there is no damage to the rotator cuff.
At press time, Kelly Pavlik’s camp will try to keep the date with a replacement opponent. The tentative co-feature is a heavyweight WBC title eliminator between Chris Arreola and Bermane Stiverne.
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Kelly Pavlik should consider himself lucky. This fight would have been a slaughter (visualize what Bernard Hopkins did to Kelly, but it being done by a younger version). Nonetheless, I commend Pavlik for his guts because he was the one who pushed for the fight over the objections of his manager Cameron Dunkin. It’s too bad Carl Froch is tied up with mandatories because he and Pavlik would by a highlight entertaining an brutal fight.
As for Ward, I’m really intrigued about the exact nature of his ailment. Think I’ll spend the next hour researching athlete shoulder injuries…
NOTTINGHAM, UK — IBF super middleweight champion Carl Froch wasted no time battering an overmatched Yusef Mack from the opening bell in route to a third round KO at the Capital FM Arena.
Fighting again before his hometown fans following a signature TKO of Lucian Bute, Froch hurt Mack in the opening round with a massive left hook and right hand through the guard to score a knockdown. Mack survived the round and did marginally better in the second but still lost the round handily by absorbing an array of power shots. Froch continued the pressure in the third, landing a digging right cross to the body followed by a compact left hook that kept Mack on his knees for the 10 count.
“If anyone comes to the ring below par, that’s what’s going to happen to them,” said Froch, who called out Andre Ward and Mikkel Kessler, the only two men who hold victories over him.
Froch will first be required to face Lucian Bute in a contracted rematch in Montreal for early 2013.
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Well, at least Carl Froch got a decent workout from this. No one gave Mack much of a chance despite his pre-fight bravado, and just a minute into the fight we were reminded why most, including myself, knew this was going to be a short night. Mack already wasn’t the most durable guy and thinking he could move down in weight after not competing at 168 since 2007 was foolish. After Froch gets done with Bute, a Kessler rematch would be a great option. I know Froch really wants to avenge the Ward loss, but Andre is just a class above everyone in the super-middleweight.
Froch: 168 lbs.
Mack: 168 lbs.
Prediction: Even on an off night, Carl Froch should have no problems knocking out Yusef Mack, who’s shown in fights against Glen Johnson and Tavoris Cloud that his chin can be dented. On a focused night, like say Froch’s last fight against Lucian Bute, Mack would be annihilated. Being that Froch will be fighting before his countrymen again, I expect to see the later version of Froch who’ll jumps on Mack early, abuse him against the ropes, and delivers a clubbing TKO by about the fourth round.
Lucian Bute returned to the ring this weekend, scoring a 12 round unanimous decision over Denis Grachev in his native Montreal. But the win did little to convince Carl Froch, who shockingly routed Bute in May to a fifth round TKO, that their scheduled 2013 rematch will go any different.
In a video interview with Sky Sports, Froch broke down Bute’s comeback win and the importance of their potential rematch.
Bute didn’t look like he was fully motivated to me. He took his time and labored the first 2-3 rounds. He sort of used his jab and moved around; it’s hard to change your mindset and get something going after a sluggish start and not have a sluggish fight all the way through. I think the good thing is that Bute picked it up in the end and finished very strong. He had some good moments in round 11 and had the second burst in the 12th. He dominated and took control to finish strong and did what he had to do to win.
Who else is he going to fight other than me to get himself back in the driver’s seat? I think the fight with myself needs to happen if he’s serious about staying in this sport. I don’t know what his mindset is but it’s a big fight for him at home. He’s probably going to get paid very well and it’s either going to be a foot back in the door for him at the world level or maybe on the flip side a big payday for him to retire on. I think the fight will probably happen, it’s just the mindset he’ll have coming into it.
I know I’m very confident after the annihilation and whooping I gave him in the first meeting… I know it was at home in Nottingham and [there] was a lot of pressure on me. The odds were stacked against me; all the bookies had him as the favorite. He was coming in an undefeated fighter and I was coming off a loss. I put in a career best performance… this will be my ninth world title fight when I face Yusef Mack on the 17 of November. That was a very good performance I put up against Bute and wiped the floor with him.
The question mark now is did that finish him or was that [his last fight] just a labored performance? We’ll find out if and when the rematch happens with me.
At press time, the tentative plan is to hold the rematch in either March or April 2013.
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Carl Froch sure is brimming with confidence, isn’t he? You can’t blame him after the beating he put on Bute. It’s just as the Englishman described — he wiped the floor with Bute in a beating it’s hard to imagine he can reverse. We can look at Miguel Cotto as a recent example of a fighter coming back to avenge a bad beating (his rematch TKO of Margarito). But with that fight, we’re all aware of the controversial circumstances that will forever cloud the first fight and not to mention Miguel had his moments. Bute was ran over from the opening round to the last.
There was nothing I saw in Bute’s win over Denis Grachev to make me believe Froch won’t score another KO and perhaps live up to his words of retiring Bute. Nonetheless, should Bute go through with the rematch, he deserves a ton of credit. Great fighters avenge defeats, and we’ll hopefully find out if Bute can show he’s still a force.
Still don’t think one loss can completely derail a career? Look no further than former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik, who began a downward spiral following a competitive April 2010 loss to Sergio Martinez that many believed he would never emerge from. Plagued by freak injuries (hand staph infection), big fight cancellations (Paul Williams) and well-documented alcoholism, Pavlik seemed fated to be a shooting star — emerging brilliantly but ultimately extinguishing at its apex.
It’s been a slow comeback climb, but at 30 years old and 12 years deep in the Sweet Science, Kelly Pavlik has emerged from the lowest point on his career. After only fighting once in 2011, he’s notched two dominant KOs this year of lesser talents, leading to tomorrow night’s HBO showcase against Will Rosinsky. Another good win and Pavlik will find himself back in the hunt to secure his first big name fight since 2010. Add on a personal life that’s now stable, and you’ll understand why Kelly Pavlik is optimistic about his future endeavors.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Congrats on the KO in your last fight against Scott Sigmon. Was it planned to stay on the inside so much and break him down?
Kelly Pavlik: Did I stay on the inside a little too much? Yeah, I didn’t listen to Robert as he was telling me to find my distance. I think overall the body work, how I put my punches together and the counterpunching, everything turned out good.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Tell us about the focus you’ve shown lately in developing your left hand.
Pavlik: We worked on that left hand over and over. A hook to the head and off that hook to the body and hook back to the head. People know I have a powerful right hand and I have a good jab. The hook is something we worked on religiously over and over. The habit of using that bore out in the fight.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: A lot of guys say they want big fights but end up shying away from that stance if it means traveling and taking on some of the formidable talent overseas. Would you be willing to travel to find that big fight?
Pavlik: It don’t matter to me. That falls in the hands of Top Rank. We’re not sure if there’s any fighters overseas that’ll be available for me to fight. The main thing is I have to take care of business Saturday, which I’m gonna do. This kid’s [Will Rosinsky] coming to fight too.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Would I be jumping the gun to expect you to be slipping and countering with big shots inside against Rosinsky?
Pavlik: I don’t think this is an inside fight. I just did that with Sigmon because I wanted to prove something to him, nobody else. He kind of upset me in the prefight. With this fight we’ll work on what we’ve been working on for the Sigmon fight and before. Not saying I’m gonna be a master boxer like Mayweather but we’re gonna use our hand speed, jab, our long-range and show lots of skills.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Last year you turned down what would’ve been a big fight in facing Lucian Bute on the road. Considering what Froch did to him, do you have any regret about not taking that fight?
Pavlik: Y’know what, I do because of how it happened. At the same time, I did what I had to do because of certain reasons. Everbody goes ‘oh he had personal problems.’ It had nothing to do with that. That was definitely not the reason; there was more behind it. In a way I am and in a way I’m not. I definitely believe since Froch did it, I would’ve done it quicker.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Do you feel you got a fair shake from the media about your alcohol issues?
Pavlik: I’m wary because it’ll constantly be brought up. It was over two years ago but people still want to bring it up. It’s over with now. When the question is asked I just bypass it.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: If everything works out we’ll get Sergio Martinez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in September. Are you willing to face the winner?
Pavlik: Definitely. That’s what we’re here for, the big fights. I think it’ll be hard to make middleweight, though. I think maybe a catchweight or something like that. Any big fight out there I’m interested in.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: You’ve mentioned Carl Froch’s name more than anyone else regarding big fights…
Pavlik: He had his words about me and that ticked me off a little bit, especially after what Jermain Taylor did to him. He knocked Jermain Taylor out in the 12th round, but that was a one-sided fight up until then. I think he carries a big name in that division and it would be a great action fight.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: You’e mentioned that you feel your defense has vastly improved. How so?
Pavlik: I’ve always had good defense. The difference I’m doing now is countering off that. Before I would block three punches and then I wouldn’t do anything. Now working with Barber I’m blocking but we’re firing back.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: You’ve talked about what a great move it was to relocate out West for training instead of staying in your hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. We all know about the great side of being home when you’re winning, but how did you deal with the questions and other whisperings from people you grew up with during these tough last few years?
Pavlik: That’s a really good question. I live my life by what makes me happy. That’s the main thing, no matter what the situation is. So in an area like that no one can really judge. I do what I have to do. A lot of people didn’t ask too much. They would say things behind my back but I was never confronted on too much except by the media. And I answered them as accurately as I could.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Last question. Your style is a bruising one, so you’re a good boxer to pose this question to. Two of your signature wins, against Edison Miranda and the first Jermain Taylor fight, it can be argued that the beatings your delivered took something from both of them. Knowing that, is there ever any feelings of remorse or sadness knowing your completely derailed someone’s career?
Pavlik: It never really enters my mind because it’s never really a guarantee, even with what happened with Taylor’s career. For me to come out and say ‘I did that’ without no proof makes me look arrogant and cocky. I’m sure one day when I retire and look back it’ll hit me. But when you go into the ring, you’re going [with the mindset] to protect yourself and your health. What happens, happens. One thing in this sport is you never want to see anyone get hurt seriously. But yet, you’re going for a knockout. Thank God they all walked away healthy.
Kelly Pavlik faces Will Rosinsky July 7 live on HBO at 10 p.m. ET
Newly crowned IBF super middleweight champion Carl Froch speculates that’s his one-sided beating of Lucian Bute Saturday night (May26) might be the reason Bute announces an early retirement.
Froch scored a shocking fifth TKO before his hometown fans in Nottingham, England. From the end of the first round, Froch controlled the action with hard hooks inside that repeatedly hurt Bute. In the final three rounds, Froch would land over 75 power shots on his hapless foe to force the stoppage.
Although Bute has not made a decision on whether to invoke a contractual immediate rematch clause, Froch thinks the mental devastation of the loss will make an in-ring return doubtful.
“Personally I don’t think Bute will want the rematch because as a fighter, I looked into his eyes and after round three I saw something drain from him,” claimed Froch to the Daily Mail. “Something only a fighter can see. I don’t think he’s going to want to fight again, let alone fight me again. Honestly. He came here unbeaten and got absolutely, devastatingly beaten. That doesn’t happen often to top-level fighters.”
Froch, who’s scored 21 KOs in 29 fights over his 10 year career, cites the Bute win as the most vicious beating he’s ever inflicted on an opponent. For that reason alone, he believes the performance might be looked back on as the one that ended Lucian Bute’s career as a top fighter.
“That is a beating, the whupping of all whuppings,” he reflected. “I’ve not seen it back yet. I’m not bragging. I don’t want to hurt anybody, I’m not proud of hurting people but that’s what I’m in the ring to do. If the boot was on the other foot, you know what would happen. That was some performance by me and I think it was a career-ending performance. You never know. I don’t know know what he’s made of, so we’ll see.”
At press time, Froch is expected to rematch Mikkel Kessler should a Bute rematch not materialize.
“If I lost tonight, I would’ve announced my retirement.” – Carl Froch
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND — Carl Froch shocked boxing critics and notched the biggest win of his career with a fifth round TKO of previously unbeaten Lucian Bute Saturday night (May 26).
From the first round, Lucian Bute had notanswer for Froch’s inside work. Froch stunned Bute early with a lead right hook, forcing a clinch. Bute continued coming forward, but Froch kept enough distance on the backfoot to make Bute’s right jab fall short. Froch landed a left hook inside, but Bute ended the round well with several straight lefts.
Bute started the second with two straight lefts that halted Froch’s attack. Froch responded with flush right hooks inside, again causing Bute to hold. A thudding left jab greeted Bute on the outside. Froch brushed off a solid left hook and wobbled Bute with a left-right hook combination.
Both men landed hard shots in a frenetic third round. Bute looked to be bouncing back after connecting early with a counter right and straight left.
Those punches would be Bute’s last significant offense as Froch took over after hurting the champion with a flurry of hard hooks. Bute briefly taunted by raising his arms. Froch retaliated with more hooks that drove Bute to the ropes.
Froch added right uppercuts to his hooks around and through Bute’s guard. This scenario would be repeated three times on different sides of the ring to close out a dominate round that could have been scored 10-8 for Froch.
The one-sided punishment Bute received on the ropes continued in the fourth with a stoppage only being prevented by the bell. The beating reached its apex in the fifth with Froch again trapping Bute on the ropes and hurting him badly with an assortment of left hooks and straight rights. The latter shots did the most visible damage of snapping back Bute’s head. The champion sagged down on the ropes, causing referee Earl Brown to initiate an eight count.
Froch’s camp believed the fight had been called off and started to celebrate in the ring. The official TKO would not come until Bute’s cornerman stepped into the ring and advised the referee their man was finished.
Made a big underdog by bookies and most boxing critics, Froch believed his abilities had been underestimated in the wake of his December decision loss to Andre Ward.
“I was here tonight to put right to wrong,” said Froch in his post-fight interview. “I came in this ring more determined than I ever came before… Tonight I was very switched on and focused.”
If invoked, the immediate rematch clause mandates the return bout to take place in Canada.
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Like a lot of people, it’s time for me to eat crow. I picked Bute by unanimous decision. Although I expected Froch to do well inside, I was shocked at how easily he got there repeatedly. Once we saw Froch couldn’t be hurt by Bute, the fight was essentially over. Froch’s game plan was excellent; he nullified Bute’s jab and body punching, and never let Bute off the hook any time he hurt him.
You can forget a rematch. Bute’s team would have to be sadistic to let this beatdown get repeated before Bute’s fans in Canada. And yes, that is what would happen. Bute showed nothing to indicate Froch wouldn’t run through him again.
The night belongs to the man from Nottingham.
