Froch agrees to neutral venue

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... ber-2.html


CARL FROCH will face Arthur Abraham in Monaco on October 2.

The Cobra had feared he would be forced to travel to Germany, Arthur's adopted homeland, for the crucial Super Six clash.

But the former WBC super-middleweight champion agreed to the neutral venue of the French principality after weeks of intense negotiations.

Froch, 33, said: "I'm training hard already for King Arthur.

"I respect what the man brings to the table but I'm going out there to knock off Abraham's crown."

Froch needs a victory to guarantee his place in the semi-finals of the Super Six.

He dropped the WBC title to Mikkel Kessler in his last outing but is determined to finish the tournament's group stage on a high.

The Nottingham slugger added: "Make no mistake about it, I fully appreciate the threat that Abraham presents to me in this fight.

"Whenever two warriors go into battle there will be bloodshed.

"But there will be only one victor in Monaco — and that will be the Cobra."

Abraham currently sits a point above Froch in the Super Six table with three points.

He knocked out Jermain Taylor in his opening bout and could still make it into the final four even if he loses to Froch.

But King Arthur is in no mood to mess around after he was controversially disqualified against Andre Dirrell.

He said: "I cannot wait to get back in the ring. I am thrilled that the date and the venue have been set.

"I must admit that the disqualification against Dirrell still haunts me. Only a victory over Froch can put my mind at rest.

"I was ringside when he fought against Kessler and I must say I was impressed with both men.

"They really fought their hearts out. Froch is a hell of a fighter but so am I.

"This will be the biggest, most important fight of my career and I will put on a special performance to please the boxing fans all over the world."

Good location. Montreal would've been good as well, but with the fight in Monaco, this means that more of both fighters' fanbases can attend the fight and help the atmosphere. Neither of these guys are Hatton, so their fanbases aren't rabid enough to follow them across the Atlantic, so a fight in a central location between the UK and Germany makes sense.

Location, judges, fans - none will matter when AA KOs CF.

I'm thinking that will be the result also. Not sure if Froch really has a "granite chin" although he has shown good powers of recovery up to now. However, Abraham hits hard and I think he will be able to find the target...

But Abraham can't fight for 3 minutes a round. Probably can't fight for 1 minute in the round! If Froch wants to turn it into a battle maybe he can take Abraham out of his comfort zone. Abraham is about as relaxed under pressure as it gets, but Froch maybe has the ability to drag him into a war.

Abraham win by a late KO.

Good to see the Principality of Monaco back staging such a prominent bout, it's a great venue. Toss-up the way I see it, there have been some really close bouts in this super-six tourney already, and I don't see this one being any different. Froch handled Dirrell better, so I'll probably give him the edge. Great fight on prospect either way.

Two fighters who both NEED the win-i sense a close war ot attrition. Too close to call and will/could be THE fight of the Super 6 no doubt.
PS: I voted for the Draw