froch's possible voluntary defence

[Mookhound]

The BBC has reported that Carl Froch can have a voluntary defence against anyone in its top ten (#12 Mads Larsen is also a possibility) should mandatory Jermain Taylor decide against a fight.

Here's the top 10 on the WBC website:

1 .- Jermain Taylor (US)
2 .- Andre Dirrell (US)
3 .- Andre Ward (US)
4 .- Marcus Johnson (US)
5 .- Jean Pascal (Haiti/Canada) NABF
6 .- Sakio Bika (Cameroon)
7 .- Anthony Mundine (Australia)
8 .- Alejandro Berrio (Colombia)
9 .- Robert Stieglitz (Germany) INTL
10 .- Fulgencio Zuñiga (Colombia)

Assuming Taylor is out, who should he pick? I think a spectacular knockout would help bolster his US reputation (the lack of which is the reason Taylor's camp is citing for potentially not taking the fight), so would rule out a Pascal rematch or a Bika fight. Two great chins, but fights I think froch wins handily.

I don't think Ward's camp takes this fight yet. Not a ducking, just that he needs to be a little more seasoned imo. that could also be a huge fight a couple of years down the line.

Johnson and Dirrell are a little green as well, though I think these would be the ideal fights as it would at least be a US scalp so good for his profile Stateside. It's just if I were their managers, I'd say that they aren't ready for Froch (can't believe how high up the rankings these three are).

mundine's slick and I think that would frustrate Froch. i think Froch would win, and probably by stoppage. but it would be ugly.

Larsen seems destined for a Kessler fight.

I think Berrio, because it's a decent name and Froch would most likely get a nice looking stoppage.

[dwilson]

Bika would be a great fight for Froch. Bika battled against Calzaghe and has looked impressive since. Bika also has a decent name in the states since his time on the Contender show.

[Mookhound]

Bika would be a great fight for Froch. Bika battled against Calzaghe and has looked impressive since. Bika also has a decent name in the states since his time on the Contender show.

yup, i see that. If Froch did stop him, that would also be hugely impressive.

Very awkward fight, though.

[jc]

Bika would be a solid challenge.

[saturday_kid]

Bika, Ward or Dirrell would be good for him I feel.

[achillesthegreat]

I'd say Bika makes the most sense. He is well known, good fighter, good wins, highly ranked etc

[debaser]

Gotta feel sorry for Froch, I haven't even heard of most of the names in that list. Bika is a spolier fighter who is impossible to look good against. Personally I would just give the greedy Taylor whatever he wants and fight him. It's a certain win for Froch and would bolster his reputation massively so that he will be in a better bargaining position for subsequent fights.

[TommyV]

Zuniga's tied up with the Bute fight, he's a very good fighter anyway - although I think Froch would outpoint him - so that rules him out. Pascal he's just fought and beat comfortable, so a rematch makes no sense. Stieglitz would be a pretty easy fight, but offers very little in terms of building Carl's reputation, and only offers a half decent name for his resume.

Johnson would be pointless, even though he's US and unbeaten it's not going to do anything for Froch's reputation either, he's proven nothing - I can't believe he's the #4 given how weak his resume is, he hasn't even stepped up to beat any half decent contenders yet, it's juts full of journeyman. I doubt Ward would want the fight at this time like you said, he's also got a fight coming up soon so the time frame would probably be all wrong for a fight to be logical.

That leaves 3 options:

Bika - Very tough fighter, awkward, can box-punch and a good chin, would be a very difficult fight for Froch, but he'd get his reward for winning as he'd be really good for his resume at this moment in time. Probably too much of a risk at this point though.

Mundine - Think he's gone down to 160 but anyway, lke Bika he's awkward and slick, if Froch can catch him with some big punches I think he can stop him, but honestly the must likely outcome for me is a Mundine UD. Again, like Bika, probably too much risk at this point, though a good name for his resume and good for his US rep.

Berrio - Another decent name, big punch but Froch has a great chin, his punch resistance is questionable though and I think Froch would knock him out. Probably the best all round option, relatively low risk, decent reward if he can beat him and beat him impressively.

[abzmanc]

Id avoid Bika, he will successfully turn it into an ugly fight, and will be a tough nut.

[Beeston Brawler]

Mick likes easy first defences, usually.... which leaves Bika out.

I think Froch could beat him - get the fight on in the States.... on an undercard of something big, why not on Hatton vs Pac?

Hennessy has a loose deal with GBP, so why not?

[Jud]

i think he should fight dirrell.dirrell seems to sit on the ropes alot and fights at times with his heart on his sleave,so i think carl would ko him,and that could set carl up for a fight with another title holder because of dirrell rankings.

[SteelTownCobra]

He should stay away from Bika he's a nightmare and it would inevitably be a rough and tough fight for Froch.

Fighting one of the Americans in America would make the most sense I think.

[robpalmer135]

Pascal rematch. the first one was quality, lets see it again.

[ryanm8655]

I'd probably go with dirrell...There is a possibility Bika would beat froch and it'd be an ugly fight so wouldn't enhance his reputation that much at all even if he did win...

We as boxing fans might see it as a big win but it's not us he needs to appeal to, he needs to appeal to the american public and hbo and his best chance of that is flashy ko's against well known fighters in the us.

[robpalmer135]

why woudl you ever think bika beats froch

[abzmanc]

I dont think Bika would beat Froch, but would succeed in making it into a scrappy fight, not good when first going over to America and trying to make a good name over there.

[ryanm8655]

why woudl you ever think bika beats froch

I'm not saying he would, I'm saying he could potentially...

Froch is still pretty unproven at world level imo...and I don't rate him *that* highly right now...

[TommyV]

Pascal rematch. the first one was quality, lets see it again.

why woudl you ever think bika beats froch

Two awful points.

1. Beating Pascal again does nothing for his US rep, especially considering he comfortably beat him last time out. Pascal is still very unproven, though personally I think he's a very, very good fighter.

2. Bika is also a very, very good fighter. He can bang, he's awkward, physically very strong with a good chin and a lot of heart, and in great condition all the time. I'm not saying he would beat Froch, but it's possible.

[Bodysnatcher]

Dirrell or Ward would be good scalps - those two will be leap-frogging above Froch soon when it comes to getting a fight with Taylor and if he could cut one of them out of the equation now, it'd be useful.

But their camps will probably not risk it.

Miranda would be an ideal opponent, shame he isn't ranked by the WBC.

[Bodysnatcher]

I don't think Froch is leaving Nottingham for anything but a big name and big money.

[Grievesy]

Apparently, according to some on the GF, Taylor-Froch is on now.

[David UK]

Berrio has already ducked Froch by pulling out after Inkin pulled out

[cityofgod]

Bika would need a glove on his head.

Awful style - an ugly rough brawler.

[Kid Lucky]

I was really looking forward to seeing Froch again but looking at this list I'm scratching my head to think of who would be best so cutting a deal with Taylor looks the best option by far and move onto unification matches.

[PrideOfWales]

Since when did Bika become such a monster? Yes, an unmotivated Calzaghe had problems with him for a few rounds when he tried to be macho and blast him out but managed to do sod all after that.

Yes, Bika is tough but is also very small at the weight. It's a decent fight for Froch to get a few Yanks watching in order to tempt Taylor into a fight but nothing gets Americans watching more than an American boxer.