Many in the UK predicted that Carl Froch would knock Jermain Taylor out easily. After all, Froch was undefeated going into this, and was in good form. However, everyone underestimated the hometown boy Jermain Taylor, who showed that while he can be inconsistent, he is a quality operator.
How Froch vs. Taylor Went
Froch looked very nervous in the staredown, and this translated into him having a lacklustre first round. He couldn't get off, and Taylor was looking sharp with his dangerous right hand.
The second was better for Froch, but Taylor was still landing the eye catching blows. Considering the fight was in Taylor's backyard, this round probably went to 'Bad Intentions' on all three scorecards.
Without a shadow of a doubt Taylor won the next round. He knocked 'the Cobra' down for the first time ever (amateur or professional), and was looking suprememly confident. All the signs at this stage pointed to Froch losing his crown.
However, Froch recovered very well, and may even have taken the fifth. While he still didn't look settled, his workrate improved, and the fact Taylor slowed down a bit definitely helped.
Taylor took round five. While Froch was the aggressor, he wasn't controlling his offence well, and Taylor's connection percentage was undisputably better.
Froch was unlucky in the next round. He controlled the round, and connected with some decent right hands, but Taylor, much like a coiled spring, saved his best work until the end of the round, when he probably nicked it.
Jermain Taylor's boxing was 'slick' (as Barry McGuigan put it) in the seventh, but there just wasn't enough of it. Froch upped his output and wheeled away with the round - his first definitive round of the fight.
Froch dominated the next session as well, until Taylor unleashed an attractive flurry of punches that may have won him the round.
In rounds nine and ten, Froch showed what good condition he was in. He controlled the pace of the fight, and was beginning to bully Taylor around the ring. It seemed like an aeon ago that Froch was on the canvas, and 'the Cobra' looked to be in control.
Round eleven was the most exciting round of the fight. There was a lot of back and forth action and both landed heavy shots. The general pattern was that Taylor would throw, and then in a 'macho' like fashion, Froch would respond. Froch was hurt in this round though, and this probably gave it to the hometown hero.
The twelfth round proved to be the proudest in 'the Cobra's' career though, much to the disgust of the crowd. In this, he showed incredible heart by knocking down Taylor, and earning a TKO victory after pinning his foe on the ropes.
A Significant Victory For Froch
This was an outstanding win for Froch. Not only did he have to take the dog-end of the purse, and travel across a huge ocean to defend his World Title, but he was put down for the first time in his career. He showed incredible grit and determination, and he will hope to build on this with an impressive performance in the upcoming 'Super Six' tournament.
How To Watch Froch vs. Taylor
Froch vs. Taylor was this week's 'Classic Fight of the Week'. Please visit my profile page for details on how to watch this, or any of the fights previously covered in this column.
