Joshua Exposes Carl Froch’s World Title Win – ‘You Didn’t Beat A Champion’
Anthony Joshua called out Carl Froch over his first world title as the pair butted heads.
The duo have not had the best relationship. Froch was very critical of Joshua following his departure from Robert McCracken. Froch also worked under McCracken as he backed up his former trainer. Carl singled out Joshua’s defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr., suggesting he quit in that fight. He was also critical of Joshua’s level of opposition following his losses to Oleksandr Usyk, calling into question Joshua’s legacy.
However, given that Joshua has twice been a former Unified Heavyweight Champion, those comments did not sit well with him. Now, AJ has fired back with some words of his own. He commented on Froch’s win over Jean Pascal in 2008 for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight Title. Since Froch did not beat a world champion, AJ questioned the magnitude of that win.
Joshua On Froch
“What’s happening? How’s your week going? How’s your podcast going? Quick question – when you boxed Jean Pascal for your first world title in Nottingham actually, Tyson Fury actually made his pro debut on that card, you fought for a vacant title right?
“So you didn’t beat a champion. What do you feel about that? Do you feel that you was regarded a champion because you fought for a vacant one? So the title not being there, it would have just been a normal fight. But they threw a title in the air and you became champion.
“You didn’t beat a champion, to become champion if you get what I mean. Do you feel like that win, not irrelevant, but it’s not highly regarded the same as if you was to have gone and beat a world champion? How do you feel about that fight with Jean Pascal?” Joshua said
Froch had plenty to say about the question. There are suggestions that Froch ducked Joe Calzaghe, something he denied. However, Froch has made it clear that he wanted the fight. But Calzaghe vacated his WBC belt, meaning Froch could not have fought him as the belt became vacant. Froch also doubled down on his win, stating that Pascal was undefeated at the time.
Froch Reacts
Pascal would also move up to light heavyweight and became a unified champion, showing his level of talent. Given that Joshua had won his first world title by facing Charles Martin, the IBF Heavyweight Champion, AJ’s comments suggested his win was better. Froch, however, dispelled those claims.
“Did I feel like world champion? I had the green and the gold belt. When I woke up and saw the belt at the bottom of my bed in the morning, I felt like a world champion. I know what he means. I didn’t beat the champion to become the champion. That’s probably why he conveniently didn’t ask about the IBF title.”
“I think they all know. Anthony Joshua was the first question. He sent me a voicemail. I think he’s alright. I think we’re seeing eye-to-eye. We’ve had a good exchange of messages. For all you fanboys out there that are upset that we’ve played the voice note ‘oh you shouldn’t be releasing private messages’. Trust me, me and Anthony Joshua are okay,” Froch replied
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