In recent weeks, it appears as though two of Britain's foremost super-middleweights - Joe Calzaghe and Robin Reid, have given way to a new talent emerging on these shores... Carl 'The Cobra' Froch.
The aptly named Froch recently claimed victim number fourteen - who found himself on the canvas inside a round, after shipping a venemous Froch blow. This trio of world-class Brit boxers may well be number one, two and three in the world at 168 lbs...A triple threat, right enough.
Having said that, these fighters resound in one of boxing's weakest divisions. A division in which the ordinary Sven Ottke ruled for six years, as IBF champ, and one as WBA. A division in which no one is willing to fight each other, and when they do, we get nonsense decisions. For example, last year's bout between Robin Reid and Ottke. On my card, and I'm sure every impartialm observers, Reid claimed a clear victory. Yet Ottke got the decision.
Don't get me wrong, there are some good fighters at 168 lbs. The fiery Danny Green is one of them. 'Green Machine' last year knocked down and beat up Markus Beyer, before being disqualified over a dubious headbutt call. The German ref stole victory, and the WBC title, from the Aussies hands. Poor form...Green also stopped the durable Eric Lucas in late '03, and has been sparring greats like Oscar De La Hoya in camp. I think it's worth mentioning also that Green won his first sixteen fights by stoppage. Looks like we have another bomber at super-middle. The like has never been seen since Gerald McClellan.
One to watch, for sure.
Another impressive fighter at super-middle is Mads Larsen. The Dane, on my card at least, edged out a weary Ottke last year, but the German judges(as usual) favoured their man. Therefore, in my eyes, Larsen hasn't lost in eight whole years.
Having said that, the Dane rarely leaves his home country, so perhaps clever matchmaking is to blame.
It is clear though, that the two big guns at this weight, are Joe Calzaghe and Robin Reid. Let's first look at Reid...he's a class act. The man lives and breathes boxing. He first won a world title eight years ago, at the age of 25. And it wasn't some cheap, third-rate title either. It was THE genuine, most respected champonship. Reid has trudged through this division for years, taking on whoevers willing, and often winning. His list of victims are probably more impressive than anyone at this weight, right now. Wharton, Nardiello, Cherifi, Branco, Vasquez, Magee...some resume.
Reid, talent-wise, is also up there. He is a clever boxer-puncher, oozes ring-savvy and intelligence. His focus isn't the best at times; he often lapses in concentration, but more than makes it for it by smart countering. It's also worth noting that he hasn't noticably deteriorated in the past few years. Often fighters slow down, especially after the number of fights Reid has. But no...Rob's still on top-form. He recently proved this by outgunning and outscoring undefeated Brian Magee, in Ireland.
Calzaghe is also gifted. His handspeed, for a man of his size, is remarkable. The way he effortlessly drills his opponent with three and four punch combos makes it seem like you are watching a light-middleweight, in a super-middle's body. But big Joe is no cutie. Of his 37 wins, 30 of them have came by crushing KO. He stopped the American Byron Mitchell, who went 12 with Ottke and probably won a mere two rounds. Omar Sheika couldn't make the halfway stage nd Eubank got knocked down in the very first.
Despite his obvious talent, Calzaghe is often mocked and slandered by American pundits, because of his unwillingness to travel to the U.S for the big fights. If he went there, they say, fights with Antonio Tarver, Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones would be a damn sight more likely. Hell, Joe couldn't even make a fight with Glengoffe Johnson who, might I add, has gone on to enjoy success as the third conqueror of Jones.
Reid and Calzaghe have met once more...Reid's willingness to fight anyone and everyone gelled with Calzaghe's tendency to fight at home, and the pair traded bombs. The result was a 12 round split decision, in favour of the champion Calzaghe. It was a close, contentious fight, and my opinion was that Joe snatched it. A case could be made the other way though.
Despite the closeness of the bout, no rematch has ever been made. Talks have subsided about it and it seems that Calzaghe will retire fighting bums and washed-up veterans.
These two respected, intimidating super-middleweights have been called out in the press recently, by a younger version of themselves. Yep, you guessed it - The Cobra. Carl Froch, of Nottingham, recently called out an apparently 'deaf' Reid for a showdown. He also claimed that top dog Calzaghe "priced himself out" of a proposed bout. Can we take this at face value? Are these two veterans really ducking a rising star? Or his Froch a product of his own hype?
I fear what happened to David Haye may repeat itself with Froch. Haye, an undoubted talent, was stopped by veteran Carl Thomspon recently. He took the fight too early and paid the price. Froch should realise he's setting himself up for more of the same, with Joe and Rob. But if he pulled it off, he'd be instantly recognised as the PREMIER man at this weight. And that is a gamble and a half.
There are some fights left for Froch, to build him up to a Calzaghe bout. Omar Sheika and Scottie Pemberton, two vulnerable, gung-ho sluggers could be ripe for the taking. Markus Beyer holds a respectable title, and has also showed weaknesses. But perhaps the Germans will screw him over, as they did Reid last year.
Another option is undefetean Dane Mikkel Kessler..or Anthony Mundine...maybe Jeff Lacy?
I'm not saying Froch shouldn't pursue a fight with the two best super-middleweights( to my thinking) in the world...All I'm saying is, what's the rush? These Brit stars has obviously formed a triple threat - a power block in this division...So why ruin it, by eliminating one of your fellow countrymen?
Lets hope the three continue to win, and we at least have some responses from Joe and Rob, over Froch's alleged offers.
