Hopkins wants Froch, but don't count on it

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/ind ... rafael_dan


...Later in the day, Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy, told me that Hopkins had a new target: super middleweight titlist Carl Froch of England, who is coming off Saturday's sensational comeback knockout of Jermain Taylor with 14 seconds left in the fight. Taylor, of course, owns two decision wins against Hopkins at middleweight.


"Bernard Hopkins is interested to fight Froch. Why not? He just knocked out Jermain Taylor," Schaefer said. "[Golden Boy matchmaker] Eric Gomez spoke to [Froch promoter] Mick Hennessy and Mick is interested. They only want big fights. Bernard Hopkins is a big fight for them."


At least the silliness of a possible rematch with Felix Trinidad seems to have died down. Schaefer said maybe he could make Froch-Hopkins for sometime in July.


"What I have to do is discuss it with Bernard and HBO," Schaefer said, admitting he was unsure if Showtime had any rights to Froch following the Taylor fight. My sources tell me that Showtime, indeed, has a first/last option on Froch's next fight.


If the fight happened, Schaefer said it would be at super middleweight for Froch's title. Hopkins would drop down from light heavyweight, where he has fought for the past few years since moving up from middleweight and skipping the super middleweight division.


"Bernard told me he would do it at 168, so I'm going to try to make it," Schaefer said, adding that Hopkins might even be willing to go to England for the fight.


"O2 Arena in London," Schaefer said. "It would be big."


Sure, it sounds reasonable and is an interesting fight, although not as interesting as one with Adamek or Chad Dawson. But it will prove difficult to make. A fight in England means an afternoon HBO broadcast in America. When HBO does live fights from Europe, the price it pays is far less because it's not live in prime time.


Good luck to Schaefer in making the fight with Froch and satisfying Hopkins' financial demands. It's not like Froch brings a pile of British TV money to the table, and his side isn't going to fight Hopkins for chump change. The British networks paid exactly nothing for live coverage of the fight with Taylor. Only at the last minute did Hennessy manage to get less than six figures from ITV to show a taped replay.


In theory, Froch-Hopkins is a reasonable fight but they haven't even seriously discussed money, and that's always when it gets difficult with Hopkins. Just ask Adamek.

It would be a great opportunity for Froch imo. If he can win, and win in some style--or at least clearly get the job done--it's more than Calzaghe did in my opinion. Calzaghe didn't look great that night, and Froch would have the chance to better the performance. It would also go a long way to building his name in the US.

Not completely without risk however, if you look at the Hopkins/Pavlik fight...

I will never be Hopkins biggest fan but i feel he has the tools to dispose of the Cobra. Unless Froch worked non stop to tire Hopkins late i dont see him winning.

These days Bhop will only fight an opponent he knows he can beat. He sure is as sly as a fox that old crooner!

B-Hop sees Froch as another Kelly Pavlik... and I'm pretty sure he's right.
In fact, I'd rather see Froch vs Pavlik than against Hopkins. Bernard could definitely outpoint and outhustle Froch like Taylor did.
As far as Froch beating B-Hop cleaner than Joe did, there's no way. Bernard is beaten by activity, always has been. Carl isn't active enough.
BTW, If Froch was from any other country no one would even concieve of Froch fight Calzaghe... Look at all the other belt holders who called him out and were just brushed off...
Jermaine Taylor, Chad Dawson, Kelly Pavlik, Antonio Tarver, Paul Williams... Froch's cries would've been just as easily forgotten were he American.
Now if Froch knocks out Kessler and Pavlik... Or if Froch dethrones Chad Dawson... I could see him calling out Joe. But not Bernard... I hope he's smart enough to stay away from Bernard.

Let Hopkins keep on calling folks out, fishing to see who he can get the public excited about... But Carl, don't do it!

Very suprising choice of fight for Hopkins, Froch is barely known in the US and only holds a strap at 168. Anyways, like most other people i expect Froch to get beaten pretty handily here, Hopkins loves those one-dimensional fighters who come forward in straight lines, i expect him to win a wide decision.

Hopkins isn't an easy fight, but then Kessler or Pavlik wouldn't be either, so I wouldn't mind Froch/Hopkins at all. With regard to Kessler, it needed millions of dollars and the backing of HBO to put on Calzaghe/Kessler, and Frank Warren still claims to have lost money doing it. Is US TV going to put up the money for Froch/Kessler?

Froch UD12.

hopkins beats a fighter like froch, carls boxing isnt great , dont get me wrong he is one tough man with a great heart and hes exciting to watch, but i think the old dog will outpoint him. having said that hopkins has to get old sooner or later and id love to see the carl beat him because hes a pain in the arse

What's with Hopkins wanting to fight with fighters that beat Taylor.

Winky (I know it was a draw)
Pavlik
and now Froch