• Boxing

I was stuck in second gear - Froch

ESPN staff
June 5, 2011
Carl Froch looked sluggish early on, but took control as the final bell neared © Getty Images
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Carl Froch admits he never got out of second gear against Glen Johnson - but insists he did more than enough to defend his WBC super-middleweight title.

Froch looked in grave danger of defeat when he made a slow start to the fight, struggling to deal with Johnson's come-forward style. The Brit grew into the clash, however, controlling the later rounds behind the jab as Johnson, 42, began to show his age.

In the end, Froch triumphed on a majority decision - one judge had it 114-114, while the other two scored 117-111 and 116-112.

"I made a decision to pick him off at range, but I got in a cumbersome gear and was caught by silly shots," Froch said. "There were a couple round the ear and the side of the head - I didn't feel them, but they were shots I didn't need to get hit with.

"I was being a bit lackadaisical. Still, I did enough to win - full credit to Glen Johnson, he's a very experienced man who can carry on being successful.

"I don't know what the Japanese judge [who had 114-114] was doing - that's boxing - but the other judges had it bang on, it was a wide margin. He nicked a couple of rounds by landing a couple of shots over the top I shouldn't have got hit with. It was a second gear performance."

Froch now moves on to a unification clash against WBA king Andre Ward in November this year. "Andre Ward is a great fighter and gentleman, a great speaker who I've got nothing but praise for," Froch said.

"But let me tell you something - I know exactly how to beat him, and you'll see an electric performance. We're fighting for the biggest prizes in world boxing - WBC, WBA and Super Six titles."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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