• Carl Froch v Andre Ward

Ward 'surprised' at sluggish Froch

Carl Froch was 'slow' according to Andre Ward © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Features: Froch fading after too many wars
  
• News: Froch handed Bute boost
  
• News: Team Froch confident of Bute clash
  
• News: Froch plans Kessler comeback fight
  
• News: Froch second to the punch all night against Ward
  
• Profile: Carl Froch

Andre Ward spent most of the pre-fight build-up avoiding chances to trash the name of Carl Froch, but he did put the boot into the Briton after Saturday's victory in the Super Six final.

Ward proved much the better boxer in Atlantic City, taking a unanimous points decision after a 12-round clinic. Froch spent much of the night as the aggressor, but that only allowed the American to show off his excellent counter-punching skills.

In his post-fight interview, Ward was asked to comment on the quality of Froch, and while he labelled the Brit a "great fighter", he did confess that he was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to beat him.

"Right away. I was surprised at how slow Froch was," Ward told Sky Sports. "We were able to beat him to the punch.

"You see it on the tape but sometimes you get surprised. I gave him the benefit of the doubt and said, 'OK, maybe he's not as slow as he looks, maybe he's faster than I think.' Beat we were able to beat him to the punch.

"You don't get points for leaving the chin open. Froch said throughout the build-up that I couldn't punch, but I know I hurt him several times. I saw it in his eyes and I felt it.

"You can't fight like that and expect not to get hit. I kept my composure, stayed calm and we pulled it off tonight."

Froch was humble in defeat, confessing he had been beaten by the better man on the night. However, the Nottingham fighter remains convinced he could beat Ward in an unlikely rematch.

"I had a bad night," Froch said. "I couldn't get anything going. That's due to Andre Ward's defensive skills. He's very slippery and tricky in close. I wanted to put my shots together. He moves low and slips and slides, he's very clever up close. It was very frustrating for me tonight. Fair play to him.

"Up close when he was leaning on me, he seems to be able to get his head there, get his shoulder in the way. He's either up close smothering your work, or he's too far out of range. I could never get my shots away.

"I honestly feel I could beat Andre Ward on a good night. I'd have to work on some technical things."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.