If a rematch is going to take place between WBA Super World super-middleweight champion Andre Ward (27-0, 14 knockouts) and WBA World super-middleweight champion Carl Froch, it’s not going to be in Nottingham, but the rest of the UK is fine.
Six years ago, Andre Dirrell fought Froch in Nottingham and was the victim of a controversial decision that many ringside analysts and fans thought he won. While it’s possible that Ward feels that he wouldn’t get treated fairly in Nottingham, he doesn’t have to fight there anyway. He is the A side.
In 2011, Ward exhibited a masterful display of slick defense and ring intelligence to defeat Froch by unanimous decision. The WBA has since ordered a rematch between the regular world champion and super world champion. However, both have had their fair share of struggles outside the ring.
Since December 2011, Andre Ward has only fought twice due to a shoulder injury and contractual issues with the late Dan Goossen, while Froch has been inactive since he stopped George Groves at Wembley last May – an elbow injury canceled a proffered bout between he and Mexican fan favorite Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Froch’s promoter, Eddie Hearn acknowledged that his fighter will retire from the sport unless he can land a fight with either Ward, Chavez Jr. or Gennady Golovkin. However, Hearn also acknowledged that negotiations for a fight between Ward and Froch are ongoing.
“Still talking, still negotiating with Roc Nation. Carl (Froch) will take that fight if he has to. It wasn’t a fight we were necessarily looking at,” added Hearn. “He’s not going to step aside for him.”
In an interview with Sky Sports, Ward spoke about his decision to not fight in Nottingham.
“The UK is one thing; Nottingham is something different,” Ward said. “Now he’s saying: ‘Well, I came to America, now you need to come to Nottingham.’ The thing is this: Atlantic City is thousands of miles away from my home. That’s a road fight, a six-hour plane ride for me. I’m not willing to come to Nottingham, I don’t think I should have to, but Wembley Stadium? The UK as a whole, I would love to come.”
I’m not sure what Ward was getting to in his comments. He spoke about how fighting in Atlantic City was more of a road trip for him than a home fight, which somewhat explained his reasoning for not wanting to fight in Nottingham, but gave the green light to Wembley Stadium? There is definitely fear about fighting in Nottingham, not fear in facing Froch, but the fear of the judges manipulating the bout. But, who wouldn’t be a little worried in Ward’s position. After all, no one wants to lose their undefeated record from bad judging.
Eddie Hearn went on to touch upon Ward’s inactivity, citing that the fight would be a tough one for the undefeated champion.
“It’s going to be a tough fight for Andre Ward, coming back from two years out,” he added. “I can’t think there’s a greater place to come and fight than Nottingham against Carl Froch because he’s tough to beat in his home patch.”
The city of Rye, New York is listed at the top of the most British towns in America. Another fight at Boardwalk Hall would be sensational, but I don’t think the fans would mind if they could have the rematch at Barclays Center or Madison Square Garden, either.
