posted Feb 5, 2009

At the risk of going over points that people have already made, it seems to me that anyone here who doesn't think that Taylor is ducking Froch is doing it because there is no money in the fight and is entitled to do so for that reason. What a sad indictment of modern boxing that fans are prepared to accept that as a reason for a challenger to avoid a champion. Also I see as ever the tired debates about X boxer not deserving to fight Y boxer because his previous calibre of opponent were not sufficiently high profile/talented/american enough for the fight to interest the boxing public. These opinions are of course entirely subjective though its worth pointing out Froch made a deliberate point of wanting to fight in America as early as possible in his career and has in fact done so against the best oppponents he could secure at the time. He has fought some tough unglamourous british opponents and come through with flying colours. All subjective of course but what is less controversial is that he fought one of the fights of the year against a very dangerous opponent (Steve Bunce rated Pascal above Taylor and Bute) and is the WBC champion. If only for that reason alone Taylor should be walking over hot coals to fight him. As stated Taylor has had some big pay days. Ipso facto, in my view this either makes him greedy, a coward, or a greedy coward and in any event a mediocre sportsman

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posted Feb 5, 2009

aliwobbleshuffle,

i agree with what you saying. but that is infortunately the stat of the sport. taylors not the only one who does this they all do. when i fighter get top 10 status they only seem to look for big money fights rather then champions.

best eg. hopkins and calzaghe will not fight chad dawson becuase of the money rather then the fact that he is the number 1 contender for the light-heavyweight crown.

and make no mistake if froch got to the heights of joe he would do the same thing.

i would however disagree with steve bunce as i believe taylor in much better then pascal. you don't beat bernard hopkins (even if it was close) twice if your not a great fighter

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posted Feb 5, 2009

it seems odd that the champ is chasing the challenger with attractive offers? shouldnt it be the other way round? you know boxing is in a state when the challenger wont fight for the belt because 'the money isnt right'.

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posted Feb 5, 2009

Its obvious that Taylor doesnt want the Froch fight for whatever reason.

I think Froch should fight Kessler as soon as possible, then we will find out how good he is (or isnt)

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posted Feb 5, 2009

comment by MamaDidntLoveMe (U3254154)
posted 46 Minutes Ago

it seems odd that the champ is chasing the challenger with attractive offers? shouldnt it be the other way round? you know boxing is in a state when the challenger wont fight for the belt because 'the money isnt right'.

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Hit the nail on the head there.....to much of this game is about SHOWTIME, HBO and money.......

It seems there is a(little) bit more passion from the British promoters to make fights rather than money.....

Americans are very protectionist about their sports and in turn their sport stars, it seems like any risk is too big unless the rewards are massive. Its understanderble but its not sport.

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posted Feb 5, 2009

What the Froch!

How froched up is boxing? The challenger can refuse to fight the champion because he can make more money fighting someone else?

Clearly there is World boxing, (the best fighters from all over the world fight to be acclaimed World champion), and there is American boxing, where American boxers fight each other in front of a Froching ill informed pay-per-view audience.

Froch - the champ, isn't a well enough name to land a shot at Taylor? - the challenger!.

Who the Froch is paying for this pay-per-view and has no interest in seeing the top two guys in the division go at it?

What a Froching joke!

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posted Feb 5, 2009

This is the main factor in why more and more people are being turned off by the sport.......hold on what am i saying, it can't be called a sport anymore it's bloody pantomime. There can be no true champions, belts and titles they mean absolutely nothing. why do you think the boxers that have anything about them don't bother with them and just go with fights with the top ten pound for pound.

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posted Feb 5, 2009

Yup it says it all about a fighter when he won't fight the genuine legitimite title because there is not enough money. As long as Taylor is getting a fair share of the money he has no leg to stand.
It often happens that fighters take a lesser payday to get the title then they are in a much better position to deal than they were previously.
It's Taylor's right to fight who he wants. Boxing is a dangerous sport and nobody should be forced into a ring. However please don't claim that Taylor is a real top level fighter anymore if he turns this fight down. If he fights Green instead of Froch or Kessler he is just another boxer operating well below world level. What's worse is he does so of his own choice.

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posted Feb 6, 2009

Of course boxers should get paydays, however when a boxer turns down £1million for a fight then there is something seriously wrong.

Boxers should be out there for the love of the sport, proving they are the best and beating all in front of them.

Froch has the title, Taylor is trying to make his comeback in the sport. He has got a world title fight, even though I do not believe he should be the mandatory opponent as he has not earnt it. £1million is great money for a fighter and even if it was significantly less, Taylor should be taking the fight.

Yes Taylor is a coward, however as a fighter with limited ability it is no doubt he is trying to dodge this fight.

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posted Feb 8, 2009

He's the mandatory challenger to the the most coveted belt in boxing, the WBC title. On top of that he's rumoured to have been offered in excess of £1m, the lion's share of the purse even though he's the contender! I heard Froch is also willing to give up home advantage for this fight and go to the States. What more does he have to do?

This is a sad depiction of the sport of boxing when the champ' has to give up so much in order to defend his belt against the No.1 ranked opponent. Most fighters would be priveleged to have a shot at the title. Sure enough Froch isn't the household name yet, but he's earnt the right to make the big fights happen and the paydays they come with. Jermain Taylor has been comprehensively beaten twice by Pavlik, was gifted a draw against Winky and scraped past Spinks by decision. Seems to me HBO, his promotors are trying to maximise his earning potential before his next loss.

It wouldnt surprise me if Di Bella/Taylor will be asking for Froch to wear a blindfold on the night.

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