Road Warrior vs Carl Froch

This is an interesting clash of styles.  Johnson is a rugged, relentless in-fighter.  Froch is long and has an excellent jab.  Froch wants and needs to keep things on the outside.  Johnson is terrible on the outside and gets picked off there but is a mauler in the trenches.  Froch has never fought an in-fighter in his career but has shown he's very uncomfortable when someone is in his chest. 

Against light heavyweight types, those guys are better built to withstand Johnson's head down, bull rushes on the inside.  Against super middleweights or guys who are leaner (Allan Green, Yusaf Mack, these guys arent as physically built to withstand Johnson's aggression like a Tarver, Dawson, Cloud, Woods is.  Froch is a very lean 168 lb fighter.  He is not going to like those body shots Johnson will hit him with.

The question is...will Froch be able to keep this on the outside exclusively and pick Johnson off on the way in, or will Johnson impose his will break Froch down?  Also, while Froch has a good chin, he has been buzzed by lesser punchers (J Taylor, Dirrell).  Carl likes to keep his left hand low.  Johnson's best punch? The overhand right.  Froch had better be on his P's and Q's here.  He is the better fighter, technically, and younger but I worry that Johnson is a bad matchup for him stylistically.

That said, Johnson has slowed a tad and isnt quite the same guy who knocked Roy's head off 7 yrs ago.  Johnson continues to fall short against the top shelf guys.

I like Froch to win a very close decision.  He definitely wont knock out Johnson, who is as durable as they come and has only been stopped once - 14 yrs ago to a Prime Hopkins.  Since then I dont believe he's even been buzzed in a fight.  If anyone gets stopped here it would be Froch very, very late thru accumulation, but I think Froch holds him off - barely, and nicks it on the cards.

Over 9.5 rds prop is -320.  Waiting for a Froch by DEC prop which I may hedge with a Johnson KO in 10-12 at big odds.

I dont believe Johnson wins a decision here...

Nice write up, congrats on  the Hopkins call.

I like the over also, this is such a weird clash of styles hard to handicap.

I know one thing for sure Johnson will get inside even if he has to take 30 punches to get there.

I question Johnson's stamina, as you stated 7 years ago.. he could go 12 easily. Johnson's style is hard to replicate for 12 rounds not many people can do it.

Now he's dropped down to 168 his last outing his body looked terrible.

Johnson has always looked in great shape but last time he looked so gaunt.. asking a guy at that age to go down to 168 is very hard.

He must realize he isn't fighting Allan Green this is Carl Froch not a guy who is going to crumble when things get rough.

I also agree Froch really hates it on the inside,where as Johnson lives there.

I haven't checked 5 dimes yet but I like the Over you posted what are the odds on "Fight to go the distance"?

Good luck to everyone, this should be a good one!

                            

-240 to go distance.

Froch -135 decision.

The over 9.5 is -335.  I will be absolutely shocked if the over doesnt hit.

I will be playing Froch decision too. I think Glen's age will catch up with him in the later rounds and Froch will knick the fight late.

My biggest bet in a LONG time will be the final. Ward on Points no matter who..

Close fight I think Froch will win a close decision, which Johnson will think he won. Johnson is fun to watch, because you know he will try his best to win. Doesn't matter anyways, because neither has a chance against Ward. (Froch almost lost to a shot Jermain Taylor)

Blokes from the UK think Froch has a real chance against Ward.  He doesnt.  And Johnson has even less chance.  Ward is just too damn good for both guys.  Froch's only prayer would be having the fight in Nottingham but that's def not happening so he cant win that fight.

Froch went from -130 to -160 to win a decision vs Johnson.  It's definitely the most logical result.  An ITD win for either guy would be stunning.

Johnson is +740 to win a decision.  That's pretty outrageous.

Styles make fights. Froch is PERFECT for Ward. Everything Froch does well, Ward does it better.. Add to that fact how many hard Fights Froch has been involved with. I am hoping Froch wins in style on Saturday night June 4th, so that we get inflated odds for the final. If Ward was anything in or around -200, I would put the mortgage on him to beat Froch.

Some fights every few years come along and they are an absolute steal for one reason or another (Ricky Hatton v Mayweather/Pacquaio come to mind). This is another one of them..
Add to the fact I have Ward +1000 (my best ever bet) pre tourney and Andre very quickly could become my favourite fighter.

I don't think we will even see Bute v Ward though for political reasons and that makes me sad...

[Quote: Originally Posted by rzagza]

 

Johnson is +740 to win a decision.  That's pretty outrageous.

That is worth a small play for sure.

Looks like Im the only person who likes Johnson to win this..

Valid points made by everyone. Great job guys!

I just feel Ward is way too good no matter who he faces. People think Jermaine Taylor was garbage but that was in the late late rounds he had a mental issue.

Jermaine made many great fighters look like crap, with his excellent athleticism, now take Andre Ward a guy who matches that PLUS is tough as nails he can fight inside or outside and at the top of his game right now.

I do believe Johnson needs a KO to win, can't see him getting the nod in a fight against Froch (even if he did win).

I feel the final is setup already Froch (England) and (Ward) USA exactly what showtime hoped would happen!

This is coming from a big Glen Johnson fan, 4-5 years ago I would have said Johnson by tough decision or even Late KO, but he doesn't have the stamina to do what he did against  Dawson, Tarver, Jones.

Look at Glenn Johnson against Cloud.. after round 4 he was huffing and puffing, cannot believe he lasted pure will power love the man but can't see him doing this for 12.It's  not like he was in Hopkins like fights (slow paced not getting hit much) Johnson has been in wars.. he only comes forward should be fun to watch!

This is not me jumping on Ward now, before the Super Six even started I chose Ward as the best value.

                 Good luck to all, just bet Ward to win it all (Insert opponent here).                  



                                      

Some boxing minds who are greatly respect are tipping Johnson here, and I can understand their thought process.  Relentless in-fighter vs a non-athletic guy who needs space.  BUT, my belief that this Glen Johnson is not the Johnson who knocked off Roy in 2004, or even the Glen who gave Dawson all he wanted a couple yrs ago.  This Glen Johnson, while still rugged, determined and sturdy, is not quite the same animal as a few yrs ago.  He works more in spurts now and isn't quite as relentless as he used to be.  That said, I think he will give Froch alot of trouble, I just see Froch being a little more consistent and nicking more rounds.  Froch doesnt have a snowballs chance of KO'ing Glen but his younger legs should see him thru on the cards - narrowly.

I really like Froch by Decision here. I can't see Glen Johnson winning a decision or stopping Froc.

You have to realize Chad Dawson is a CHUMP. You take it straight to his chest and stay in there he will backup and throw punches back peddling.

Chad can "box" very well, but he has stamina issues and also seems like MANY guys seem to tag him. Dawson was perfect for Johnson, a guy who won't pressure you but try to win on points, being he has the younger legs.

I certainly agree Johnson fights in spurts and not sure if that is enough to get a victory.

Very hard to prepare for a guy like Johnson, yes he will take punches.. but he will get in eventually,question is how long can he keep Froch at short distance.

Five years ago I would of been betting on Johnson... and talking fight of the year!


Still should be a great fight!
                                  

awesome insight by this message board i am looking to play a Froch prop decision bet...I will be at the fight in Atlantic City this weekend so it will be a good time

i like that nutty. my feelings exactly. dawson has absolutely no heart. when watching him fight tough guy never comes to your mind. he has skills but they are wasted cause of no heart. he seems to be in the wrong sport. he should have taken up bowling that way he wont get hurt.

Dawson gets sh*t on b/c he is OOZING with natural talent but often fights lazy and uninterested.  He has not looked quite like the same guy in his last couple fights as he did vs Adamek.  Something seems amiss.  Still, he'll be an absolute handful for Hopkins style wise.  Much moreso than Pascal who played right into Bernard's hands with his no jab, spurt ambush, fight in spots only style.

is there a stream?

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I'm using this one right now :

https://www.fromsportcom.com/v-2/8/62/v-286340.html

More easy cash.

agreed no capping in that! we all hit.. Throwing a CRAZY amount on Ward. Anything under -500 is a gift from god!

No.  WAIT ON WARD BY DECISION TO COME OUT. Instead of laying -400 you'll get something like -125.  You know he's not knocking him out.  He'll just take him to school for 12 rds.

I have made an OBSCENE amount of money on boxing in the last 4 yrs.  If only the other sports were as charitable.