[Previous entry: "Ricky Hatton Considers New Options As WBA Welter Champion"] [Main Index] [Next entry: "Hernandez Decisions Martinez at Aragon Ballroom!"]
05/20/2006 Archived Entry: "Froch: is it squeaky-bum time?"
Froch: is it squeaky-bum time?
The announcement that Carl Froch’s mandatory defence of his British super middleweight title against Brian Magee would take place on Friday May 26th prompted a lot of noise from the challenger’s camp. This was followed by accusations that the champion was being worryingly tight lipped. A few weeks on, the roles have been reversed. As the fight draws near, there is a deafening silence from Magee’s typically vocal manager Pat Magee, (no relation), promoter Frank Maloney and the fighter himself. Froch wonders if the reality of their situation has finally dawned on them.
"Maybe it’s squeaky-bum time," said the 28-year-old from Nottingham. "It’s easy to shout the odds when the fights a couple of months away, but now its almost here it’s a different business; you really have to believe it." He continued: "I haven’t got that much of a problem with Brian Magee saying that he thinks he is going to beat me, he’s a boxer, that is his job – he has to believe in himself.
"But as far as I am concerned Pat Magee, whoever he is, and Frank Maloney have spoken a lot of rubbish about this fight. Why has it stopped now? Perhaps they have just begun to realise that I am about to expose their knowledge of boxing. "I didn’t know who Pat Magee was before this fight and I don’t think we will be seeing much of him afterwards.
"Brian Magee actually seems like quite a nice person, so it’s a pity that he is going to have to pay the price for them spouting off – if he turns up." Froch is known for speaking his mind. This is the first time, however, he has commented on this second defence of his British Title - with good reason."I’ve got the fight I wanted, so I have been getting my head down and getting in shape to do a number on Magee," he added. "But now I’m concerned that team Magee might bottle it.
"They may be starting to feel uncomfortable with the hype they have built up, so I just want to go on record to say that I am looking forward to May 26th. If this fight doesn’t happen, it won’t be because I don’t want it."
