Carl Froch has urged Deontay Wilder to put on a ruthless performance in his WBC heavyweight title defence against Luis Ortiz on Saturday night – as he believes it will help motivate his close pal Anthony Joshua.
Joshua is coached by Rob McCracken, the same man who helped Froch lift four super middleweight titles during his career, and the pair trained regularly together until Froch retired.
“The Cobra”, now a pundit for Sky Sports, believes that a dominant outing for Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs) against Ortiz (28-0, 2 NC) in New York could Joshua to train even harder for his heavyweight championship unification bout against Joseph Parker on 31 March.
“Deontay Wilder needs to do a proper job on Luis Ortiz. If he does, Anthony Joshua will be sat there sweating a bit,” stated Froch.
“Wilder should and I hope he does. I am not an Ortiz fan because of what he has done in the past, and you know I am a big ‘AJ’ fan.”
The 38-year-old Cuban challenger had been due to face Wilder for his WBC title in November last year, but lost his opportunity after failing an anti-doping test. Ortiz escaped a lengthy ban, however, when he successfully argued that the substances which he had failed for were being used to treat high blood pressure.
Despite the fact that Ortiz had not declared the medication to administrators, the WBC accepted this explanation and fined him $25,000 in lieu of a suspension.
Ortiz was then free to return to action – which he did with a second-round knockout of little known Daniel Martz in December. Froch’s comments echo those of many fans who feel that Ortiz should not find himself in position to challenge for Wilder’s belt so soon after such an issue.
Froch also indicated his desire to see Joshua meet Wilder in the near future and feels that a strong Wilder showing on Saturday could force negotiations forward for a fight between the two.
“We want to see the very best beat the very best…If Wilder’s power explodes, and he blows Ortiz away, that and his whopping ego will suddenly put a bit of pressure on,” he added.
Whilst it would seem unlikely that WBA and IBF heavyweight champion Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs) and his team will be underestimating WBO champion Parker ahead of their meeting at the end of this month, fireworks from Wilder this weekend would only increase demand for a Joshua vs Wilder showdown later in the year – and Froch feels that his former coach will understand the motivation behind his words.
“Josh might see this and ask Rob McCracken what the hell I’m on about, but I’m sure they both get it. They will know what I am talking about,” Froch continued.
“Joseph Parker is no pushover but we are expecting and hoping Josh takes care of him…He has got rid of everyone – including Klitschko – they’ve put in front of him…That is why I want Wilder to destroy Ortiz.
“If he does, all of a sudden people won’t just be trying to pick which round Josh does it in. Of course, I expect him to win, but it will be a 60-40, maybe even a 50-50 fight.”
