Four-time world champion Carl Froch announces immediate retirement
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Four-time super middleweight world champion Carl Froch has announced his immediate retirement from boxing at the age of 38, with the fighter nicknamed ‘the Cobra’ ending his impressive career with a record of 33 wins from his 35 bouts, including 24 by knock-out.
I'm officially retired from Boxing. So much to say & so many people to thank. But for now, I just want to say THANK YOU to my amazing fans.
— Carl Froch (@Carl_Froch) July 14, 2015
The Nottingham-born fighter has not entered the ring since his comprehensive stoppage of fellow Brit George Groves in May last year at Wembley, with his vicious right hand sending his opponent crashing to the canvas to retain both WBA and IBF titles.
Carl Froch has retired from professional boxing this morning! #boxing https://t.co/ZtD5c2fkOB https://t.co/VvoO88PIKe
— BeanBagSports (@BeanBagSports) July 14, 2015
This was the second match-up between these British bruisers, with Froch having also come out on top in their earlier meeting with an ninth-round TKO, but the IBF ordered a rematch between the pair.
It was widely touted that Froch would make a long awaited return to the ring later this year in a potential showdown with current middleweight monster Gennady Golovkin, even fuelling the speculation himself before his eventual announcement.
Too big & too strong for GGG… pic.twitter.com/WIfhNImCIk
— Carl Froch (@Carl_Froch) July 4, 2015
Although, the former WBA unified champion will embark on a new role as a Sky Sports pundit after quitting, claiming he has nothing left to prove in his esteemed career in the sport.
“I have nothing left to prove and my legacy speaks for itself. I’m incredibly proud of what I have achieved in boxing but now is the right moment to hang up my gloves,” stated Froch.
“It wasn’t an easy decision but it wasn’t as difficult as people might think. I turned 38 last week. My joints and bones are aching.
“If the desire was there, I could fight again but there’s nothing motivating me. I’ve got nothing left to prove and I’m bowing out at the top.”
Happy retirement @Carl_Froch – love him or hate him he gave everything for you every time he stepped through those ropes
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) July 14, 2015
Froch’s only ever defeats in his 13-year professional career came against Mikkel Kessler back in 2010 and Andre Ward a year later, though he managed to gain revenge on the former in a 2013 rematch.
The Brit’s first world world title triumph came in December 2008 when he earned a points decision victory over Canada’s Jean Pascal on home soil, claiming the WBC belt. Then in his first defence, Froch dramatically stopped Jermain Taylor with only seconds remaining in the final round, having been behind on the judges’ scorecards.
@Carl_Froch Enjoy your retirement Carl, you've had a wonderful career mate.x
— Ricky Hatton MBE (@HitmanHatton) July 14, 2015
Speaking after his retirement, Froch stated that he would like to be remembered as a warrior, and that’s exactly what his legacy will be. Having fought 35 times as a professional, Froch was vicious in the ring and was all about his brute force, picking off opponents who stood toe-to-toe with him.
It’s not surprising the Brit’s body is battered and bruised, with his direct style having made him a four-time world champion, but retirement was the only outcome for such a fighter. For the Floyd Mayweather’s of the sport, who can dance around the ring gracefully, ducking and diving majestically out of danger, fighting beyond the age of 40 comes a lot easier.
Froch is obviously a different animal, and one that has been wounded after a gruelling career. Though the former world champion finished off in style on home turf last summer with a typically brutal stoppage of British rival Groves, crowning off his illustrious time in the sport with another memorable moment.
