Froch gets past tough veteran Johnson

It was a predictable outcome but no less exciting a contest for that. Nottingham’s WBC super-middleweight champion Carl Froch retained his title by way of a majority points decision over America-based Jamaican Glen Johnson at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall last night.

It was always a worry that Johnson would be rewarded for his come forward style in the States but in fact it was American judge John Stewart who had Froch the winner by the widest margin, 117-111. British judge Mark Green had it 116-112 whilst the Japanese judge scored it too close at 114 apiece. I had it 117-113 to the champion and now Super Six finalist.

The first round was even, a typical range finding session with Johnson predictably on the front foot. It looked like it was going to be a very hard night for Froch, even by his own gruelling standards, when the challenger took rounds two and three. In a pattern that was as worrying as it was predictable, Froch’s low left hand was trumped by occasional overhand rights from Johnson, each of which was met by roars from the crowd, who definitely favoured their adopted son.

The pace Jonnson set was unsustainable and he had to take a breather as early as the fourth, which Froch won clearly, displaying good movement and, not for the last time in the bout, some classy combinations and crisp, orthodox one-twos. Johnson picked up the pace in the fifth but was met with a right cross but then got through with another hard overhand right. Froch responded in the only way he seems to know, by digging in and firing back. Whilst Johnson’s work rate was impressive his successes were isolated and the better quality boxing was invariably coming from the champion.

The sixth was a very close session; Froch was moving well and landing some delightful combinations but this was nullified by yet another big right hand over the top from Johnson and some decent body shots. Two more right hands from Johnson pleased the crowd in the seventh. The challenger was landing eye-catching punches from time to time but they were few and far between and his good pace couldn’t disguise the fact that Froch was generally in control.

In control he might have been, but it was never a comfortable task and Johnson reminded him of this by taking the eighth round, despite an excellent start to the session from the champion with some blistering combinations. Unsurprisingly, it was a big right hand from Johnson which impressed; Froch dug in but ended up shipping another.

If Johnson thought his time had come, it was the ninth round which must have dispirited him. Froch had his best round by some distance and, in truth, it was the first that he’d really dominated. Traditional, sharp one-twos from the champion rattled in and all of a sudden the challenger looked like he was plodding. “What’s the matter?” asked Johnson’s trainer Orlando Cuellar in the corner. “You completely blew that round!” The matter was that he was up against a younger, fitter champion who knows, probably more than anyone in world boxing today, how to come through a rocky spell.

Froch took the remaining rounds. Trainer Robert McCracken reminded his charge of the obvious – that Johnson would be looking for the big right hand and that it was his only real weapon – yet despite this warning, Froch took another in the tenth. Yet it was Johnson’s only success as the champion bossed the rest of the round by way of combinations and nice movement.

Froch seemed calm, confident and comfortable in the closing two rounds, rattling in impressive, accurate combinations as the 42 year-old’s pace visibly slowed. Johnson cut the figure of a man who knew his best effort had come up short and he was right. He should remember he’s been beaten by a very good champion and his performance was commendable. He’ll still be too much for plenty out there, especially those without the marble mandible Froch seems to possess.

“I thought this guy’s going nowhere,” admitted Froch afterwards, “so I made a conscious decision to move and use my jab.

“He caught me with some silly shots, all credit to Glen Johnson, he’s a tough veteran.

“I don’t know what the Japanese judge was looking at. The other two had it bang on. I was stuck in second gear though I’m pleased with the performance.”

The champion went on to explain that the humidity in New York, where he’s been for a fortnight, meant he had been walking around a couple of pounds under the fight limit for a while and that he only weighed 12st 2lbs on fight night, considerably less than he would normally be which might have had an effect on his strength.

Froch now goes on to face the man who might very well be the toughest opponent of his quality-studded career, Olympic gold medallist Andre ‘Son of God’ Ward, who was in attendance to see his future foe. Froch spoke highly of Ward as both an athlete and a man, but said, “I know exactly how to beat Andre Ward, let me tell you.”

One hopes so. One thing is for certain – he won’t do it if he’s “stuck in second gear”. He’ll need as many as he’s got. The good thing is, Froch certainly has plenty to work through.