The seemingly never-ending Super Six saga winds down to its penultimate bout when Carl Froch faces Glen Johnson in Atlantic City?s Boardwalk Hall on Saturday night. In the 20 months since the tournament began, we have seen a dizzying array of delays, cancellations, and withdrawals.
But through the thick foliage of politics and injuries, we?ve learned a great deal about the fighters involved, and along with Andre Ward, Carl Froch, 27-1, has come out looking antiseptic. While he was tentative and sloppy at times in his October 2009 victory over Andre Dirrell, he redeemed himself against Mikkel Kessler six months later, when the two put on by far the best show in the tournament. Kessler?s activity gave him the edge on the scorecards in an evenly-fought bout, but Froch displayed elite boxing acumen and defense against someone who was deemed superior in both areas.
The exhaustive undressing of the once much-touted Arthur Abraham last November confirmed that Froch, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom, isn?t just a rugged Brit out-grinding his opponents, but a world class operator with genuine skill and know-how. Abraham, as usual, was conservative with his punches, and whenever he thought about opening up, Froch deaded that notion by stuffing a jab in his mouth and effortlessly evading the return.
Johnson, 51-14-2, won?t be so easily deterred. Every time signs of age begin to appear more audacious, he proves that he?s still a handful. The 42-year-old looked as if he was on his last legs after Chad Dawson bewildered him with speed and movement around the same time Froch struggled with Dirrell. But he followed up by beating Yusaf Mack into submission, losing a close, violent fight with Tavoris Cloud, and, to the delight of most fight fans, knocking out artiste braggart Allan Green in his first foray at 168 pounds in a decade.
Johnson, Miami, Florida, but originally from Clarendon, Jamaica, is made of stone that has yet to truly be cracked. A prime Bernard Hopkins came the closest to fracturing Excalibur granite when he stopped Johnson in 1997, but that was more referee Pat Russell halting a hopelessly one-sided bout than Johnson being in danger of getting separated from his senses. He has scarcely bled, swelled, or been seriously staggered inside the squared ring during his 18-year career. Froch will have to beat him with guile instead of brute force.
Armed with a strong and busy up-jab, the 33 year-old has the tools to frustrate Johnson. Froch?s feet and stick were his primary weapons in his last two bouts, so expect the same against Johnson?s pressure. The Jamaican has an active left hand of his own, however, and is far better at timing right hands than Abraham is. Froch will likely own the lulls and resting periods Johnson tends to take in his advanced age, but Johnson may radiate in the memorable moments of the bout, exchanges in which the veteran?s shorter punches leave more of an impression.
Still, movement and activity remain key to Froch?s advancement in the tourney, and stand as reasons why he?s a 4-to-1 favorite. Froch has shown to be slippery and busy enough to make ?The Gentleman? cleanly outworking him a daunting task. He also appears to have the whiskers to survive the rough moments. Johnson can devour a fragile opponent, but against someone with steely durability, his finishing touches tend to fall short.
Nevertheless, it should be a nice addition to a tournament that still holds intrigue despite being wearyingly drawn out. Glen Johnson always brings out the truth in his adversary ? whether it?s flattering or embarrassing. And as long as truthsayers remain, the Super Six will have value.
