Carl Froch has long since etched his place in British boxing history, but now he has named his all-time top three fighters from these shores.
‘The Cobra’ is amongst the most decorated fighters of his era. He is down for having a granite chin that got him through several tough fights, and also for having an unbreakable will to keep on fighting.
He held several world titles across his career and lost only twice, once to Mikkel Kessler, which he avenged, and later to all-time great Andre Ward.
His most famous bouts came against George Groves at the end of his career. The first he won controversially with what many people think was an early stoppage from referee Howard Foster, but the rematch he ended in conclusive fashion with the best right hand of his career to leave Groves out on the canvas.
Speaking on his own YouTube channel, Froch picked out a trio of his favourite British fighters.
“My top three fighters, in order, Lennox Lewis, Naseem Hamed, and Ricky Hatton.”
After listing some other honourable mentions, he explained what it was about those three that impressed him most.
“You’ve got Benn and Eubank who I grew up with, Frank Bruno who I used to love watching, Barry McGuigan massive fan, top fighter.
“But when I think of my favourite fighters, I think of fighters I used to love watching, and Lennox Lewis was undisputed heavyweight champ, got knocked out a couple of times as well and came back ands avenged them losses.
“When he beat Mike Tyson, and some of the dust-ups he had … Naseem Hamed, he was an inspiration of mine … And Ricky Hatton. If you’re a boxing fan, you’re a Ricky Hatton fan.”
Froch himself would make this list for many people, as would his fellow Brit and long-time rival Joe Calzaghe. Although they never fought, they have often traded verbal barbs over the years, as Froch has done with several figures in the sport, including Jake Paul, who he has said might be the one man to draw him out of retirement.
