Dibella saving Taylor from being Iced ?

30.06.08

In a press release issued earlier today, undefeated super middleweight Carl Froch issued some harsh words in the direction of promoter Lou DiBella and former champion Jermain Taylor. With Joe Calzaghe moving forward with Roy Jones Jr. fight, the WBC super middleweight title has been declared vacant and the sanctioning body has ordered a bout between Froch and Taylor for the vacant title. Froch and his promoter Mick Hennessy are upset over Taylor's possible selection of Jeff Lacy for his next slated ring appearance in November.

“I’m delighted to get the title fight and just hope Taylor shows a real fighting heart and goes through with this fight,” said Froch. “I’ve heard he was talking about fighting Jeff Lacy next but that fight is a mismatch in my opinion. I would knock Lacy out in a round or two and it is an easy fight for Taylor, so I just hope Jermain doesn’t squirm out of this situation with me and I think the broadcasters shouldn’t allow him to either.

“I heard Lou DiBella has said ‘who the f*** is Carl Froch to American television', but he will know who the f*** the ‘Cobra’ is when his fighter is laying horizontal in front of him. Then I will ask him what does he know about boxing? In my opinion doing Taylor versus Lacy is just as bad as doing Kelly Pavlik versus Gary Lockett. It’s a mismatch and anyone who buys into that has got to be nuts in my opinion. DiBella says American TV isn’t interested in me but believe me they are. Once I knock out Taylor, I will do the same to Kelly Pavlik.”

As far as American television goes, Froch is not entirely correct. While nobody doubts his talents in the ring, industry insiders tell BoxingScene.com that HBO is more interested in seeing Taylor fight Lacy. DiBella is not overlooking a possible bout with Froch, but it has to make money to make sense.

"With all due respect to Mick and Carl, but in America people are saying 'who the Froch is Froch.' We are interested in the fight but we have to take a look at our alternatives and assess the commodity of it. I believe that Froch is worthy guy, but his only TV appearance was against a fighter he looked mediocre against and it took place in Europe and was televised on ShoBox. I'm not taking shots at his ability, I'm making point. The network paying the majority of the money is in the United States and he is an unknown commodity. Lacy fought his whole career in America, was a former Olympian, a former champion and has a lot more name recognition," DiBella said.

DiBella says he is not surprised with Froch's outbursts because it's a regular occurrence when it comes to British fighters who are planning to debut in America.

Froch to fly the flag for Britain Stateside ?

FROCH IN AMERICAN SUPER-FIGHT

Carl Froch has now got his hard-earned shot at the vacant WBC super-middleweight title against Jermain Taylor later this year but hopes his co-challenger doesn't bottle out of it.

Undefeated British champion Froch has been elected to fight American Taylor, the former undisputed middleweight champion, for the prestigious vacant WBC title after Joe Calzaghe vacated the belt rather than fight mandatory challenger Froch.

The WBC have ordered a private negotiating period between Froch’s promoter Mick Hennessy and Taylor’s promoter Lou DiBella. If there is no agreement then a purse bid will be held on Friday July 25, 2008, at the WBC Executive Offices in Mexico City.

‘Cobra’ Froch has challenged Taylor not to duck out of facing him in one of 2008's biggest global fights and also launched a stinging attack on Taylor’s promoter Lou DiBella after his recent comments on The Fight Network.

“I’m delighted to get the title fight and just hope Taylor shows a real fighting heart and goes through with this fight,” said Froch, who has stopped 19 opponents in 23 fights.

“I’ve heard he was talking about fighting Jeff Lacy next but that fight is a mismatch in my opinion.

“I would knock Lacy out in a round or two and it is an easy fight for Taylor, so I just hope Jermain doesn’t squirm out of this situation with me and I think the broadcasters shouldn’t allow him to either.

“I heard Lou DiBella has said ‘who the fuck is Carl Froch to American television', but he will know who the fuck the ‘Cobra’ is when his fighter is laying horizontal in front of him. Then I will ask him what does he know about boxing?

“In my opinion doing Taylor versus Lacy is just as bad as doing Kelly Pavlik versus Gary Lockett. It’s a mismatch and anyone who buys into that has got to be nuts in my opinion.

“Lacy seems scared of his own shadow at the moment and Taylor will also be a chicken if he swerves me.

“DiBella says American TV isn’t interested in me but believe me they are. Once I knock out Taylor, I will do the same to Kelly Pavlik.”

Froch’s promoter Mick Hennessy has been in talks with DiBella and is confident the ‘Cobra’ will be the new undisputed No 1 of the super-middleweight division.

“Carl would have taken out Calzaghe in style but now he will do it to Jermain Taylor instead. He is the new star of world boxing,” said Hennessy.

“I’ve been speaking with Lou DiBella for a while now and I just hope they don’t start opting for easier fights for Jermain. This could be a massive fight.”

Froch to appear at 'The Approach' 03.07.08

Carl Froch will be making a guest appearance at the Approach on Friar Lane, Nottingham on Thursday 3rd July.

Presented by radio DJ Gareth Evans, tickets are £20 with a meal or £7.50 entry only.

Further details can be sought at their website HERE