Carl Froch Gets Fact-Checked

Los Angeles (Tue., Aug. 30) This past weekend, I read where Carl Froch again spouted incorrect, inaccurate and misleading information about our WBA Super Middleweight World Champion and Olympic Gold medalist Andre Ward and their upcoming bout.

Throughout the press tour, Andre kept the proceedings classy and gentlemanly, despite knowing Froch was rambling on to the media only when he was out of Andre's presence. Froch is just learning about the big time, and what he doesn't understand is Andre is way ahead of the curve and he won't be drawn-in to respond to every foible comment Froch throws out there.

That being said, I want to make sure the blatantly irresponsible, damaging verbal assaults do not go unanswered by us.

Froch False Claim 1:

Froch comment on Sunday, August 28, 2011, “There have been stories about American boxers taking steroids, so you do wonder if people are taking things to give them the edge.  I will be raising the question with my promoter Eddie Hearn and he will probably do something about it, whether it's a pre-fight drug test or blood test.”

Super Six Contractual Fact:

All the participants of the Super Six Tournament, including Froch, contractually agreed upon the World Anti-Doping Agency (“WADA”) mandated drug testing for each bout.

The World Anti-Doping Code was implemented in 2004 by sports organizations prior to the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, blending the rules and regulations governing anti-doping across all sports and all countries. More than 600 sports organizations have adopted the Code to date, including this Super Six Tournament Final bout.

Ward Fact:

Ward has been aggressively pursuing all information and costs as it relates to the most stringent drug-testing program in America for boxers.  He was on the record months ago in his pursuit of a clean sport and as recently as June 28, 2011, Andre was interviewed and quoted as follows about drug testing:

“I think Floyd [Mayweather] is on to something.”  “That's kind of the reoccurring theme right now, the fact that everybody is saying that all fighters should take the tests.  It's not only great for the fans and people to know, but you're talking about people's lives.  I wanted to take things a step-further and implement it, not just talk about it, and be one of the first to actually do it outside of Floyd Mayweather.  I believe Carl [Froch] is a clean fighter, but I just think that with a fight of this magnitude, it would be great for the sport to implement something like Olympic-style drug testing.  The goal is to go through with it even if Carl doesn't want to.”

Froch Fact:

From the date of this article to this past weekend, there had been no word from Froch regarding Ward's stated desire to undergo the most demanding drug testing for this bout, despite it already being a WADA mandated test within the framework of the Tournament; and now Froch wants to state, “I'm not happy about Ward and Conte.”  

Sounds to me as if Froch is already making excuses in advance and undoubtedly barking up the wrong tree with Andre.

Froch False Claim 2:

Froch is on record claiming: “I've got dynamite in both hands.”

Froch Fact:

In his last 6 bouts Froch has only landed one KO against Jermain Taylor, and that one in the 12th round of a fight where Froch himself was knocked down in the third round. The other 5 bouts went the distance.

The facts don't lie, and his self-proclaimed “dynamite in both hands” is a dud!

Froch False Claim 3:

“Sounds like [Ward]'s worried to me.  Sounds like he's already trying to make excuses. I'm coming away from England to fight an American in America.  He's got the advantages.”

Ward Fact:

In explaining the misconception that having the fight anywhere in America would be an advantage to Ward, Ward stated that Froch had already fought in Atlantic City, while he had not.  

This elicited Ward being worried or making excuses?  It was just a fact.

Froch False Claim 4:

Froch said, “This is a guy who is an Olympic champion, he's very fast, very skillful, but to be honest I did a better job on (Arthur) Abraham than he did.”

Abraham Fact:

“I think that the winner of the tournament will be Andre Ward. I have faced both Ward and Froch and know their abilities, and I give my preference to the American sportsman.”  -Arthur Abraham

The above 'false claims' are just a few of the many tales Carl Froch has indiscriminately and incorrectly thrown-out to provide hope for himself, with the caveat, Froch was sure to not make these comments in front of Andre Ward.   

On the other hand, throughout the press tour, Andre Ward remained the professional, while keeping control of the day-to-day confrontations with Froch.

However, this last and most damaging innuendo to Froch's credibility is his comment from this past weekend alluding to 'the stories of American boxers taking steroids.'  It is just a nasty, unprofessional statement and another failed attempt to reign supreme, verbally.

On October 29 at Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City, Andre Ward will show his supremacy over Froch with his fists doing the talking

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