British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion Carl Froch has responded to comments made by Joe Calzaghe's trainer and father Enzo and also offered to prove his claim that he is Britain's most talented sports star.
Calzaghe senior claimed yesterday that it would take £1 million to get his son in the ring with the Cobra, despite talking down the latter's chances.
“That speaks volumes,” responded Froch. “Daddy has already priced his son out of the market; he obviously wants none of it. Why on earth would he need £1 million to fight me if I am just a fourteen fight novice as he said?"
“That's probably three times what he normally earns. Don't tell me he is getting anywhere near that for his next fight against Kabary Salem? He obviously thinks Salem is more dangerous than me given that he believes Robin Reid would beat me."
“Reid clearly doesn't think the same; I have offered him a fight on several occasions but he has kept decidedly quiet.”
He is not the only one. Calzaghe junior's comments on a potential showdown with the hottest property in world boxing have so far been restricted to claiming he is focusing on fighting opponents more established on the world scene.
27-year-old Froch added: “Is that all he has got to say? Has he seen the record of his next opponent Kabary Salem? Mario Veit, whom Calzaghe knocked out in a round over three years ago, has just beaten him.
“Sounds like he too is hoping I will go away quietly. His dad can say all he wants about me, but I know Joe knows the score. Joe can talk all he likes about fighting Antonio Tarver. Previously it has been Glengoffe Johnson, Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Junior, but they didn't happen."
“How about he proves he is the best in his own country first?”
The Cobra plans to do that, and not just in his own sport. He finished, in typically arrogant fashion: “Some people seem to have been a bit offended by comment that I am, without exception, Britain's most talented sportsperson, pound-for-pound, sport-for-sport."
“That was never the intention, I was merely speaking the truth. I have more all round attributes than any of the guys I mentioned as an example, including Beckham and Henman. I am fitter, faster, stronger and have more bottle."
“If they would like me to demonstrate that - how about a friendly little competition? I am sure the BBC would arrange for us to all go on Superstars next year! They could even invite Joe Calzaghe as well.”
Froch would have to do little to surpass boxing's last entrant in Superstars. A 'between fights' Ricky Hatton scored the show's lowest ever total!
