WBC Super Middleweight Champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch (28-1, 20 KOs) successfully defended his title and advanced to the Final of the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic against Andre Ward with a majority 12-round decision over Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson (51-15-2, 35 KOs) at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
In the co-feature, Mikkel Kessler of Denmark returned to the ring after a 14-month layoff to knock out Frenchman Mehdi Bouadla in a super middleweight bout at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Froch didn’t have an easy night against the 42-year-old Johnson, who was fighting in his 68th professional fight. He was hit with several right hands throughout the contest, but made an adjustment to his fight plan midway through to pull away in the later rounds.
Japanese judge Nobuaki Uratani scored it 114-114, but was over-ruled by judges John Stewart (117-111) and Mark Green (116-112).
“It was very tough. He’s a guy you hit and nothing happens,” admitted Froch. “If you can imagine sparring an oak tree? You hit him and he doesn’t move,” he added with a laugh.
Ever the classy gentleman, Johnson said he felt the fight was close, but perhaps he could have stuck to his fight plan more. “I felt I was in it. My corner was telling me to pick it up because they said I was falling behind. It took me out of my game plan a bit because I got in there and ripped hard shots and that let him fire quick counter punches on the inside. I was blocking most of them, but when you do stuff like that the judges will give him credit for it. I kind of fell into his fight plan more than sticking with mine. I got a little greedy.”
In Denmark, former World Boxing Council/World Boxing Association champion Kessler was looking to regain his status as one of the premier super middleweights in the world. He knocked Bouadla down four times in the fight — the final knockdown forcing the sixth-round stoppage. It was Kessler’s first start since a potentially career-ending eye injury forced him to withdraw from the Super Six World Boxing Classic shortly after he won a brutal unanimous decision over Froch on April 24, 2010. The victory puts Kessler, 32, back in the thick of things in the talent-rich 168-pound division.
“It is great to be back,” said Kessler. “The atmosphere in the stadium was unbelievable. I didn’t have any problems with the eye and I got hit a few times. I was surprised by Mehdi and how many hits he could take. He kept coming back at me and I caught him several times. It was a great comeback fight. I am ready to fight everybody out there, everybody who my promoter picks.”
Team Sauerland, Kessler’s promoter, Kalle Sauerland added: “The Viking Warrior is back. I think it was a great performance. He just continued where he left it against Froch. It was like he has never been away. The atmosphere in Copenhagen’s biggest football stadium was fantastic – it could not have been better. Mikkel really pleased his crowd and it´s great that he is back. He has big things coming up for him. We will now sit down and see whom we’ll fight next, but one thing is for sure, the Viking Warrior is back, better than ever.”
Froch brought along his usual boisterous contingent of fans to the event, but Johnson had several vocal supporters as well, which made for a lively night. This is what boxing’s all about,” said Showtime analyst Al Bernstein.
After the fight, Froch’s finals opponent Andre Ward said “It’s the grand finale. It’s time to get it on. I want that trophy in my trophy case and he’s going to try to stop that from happening. We’re the guys who started off in this tournament, so it’s natural and fitting that we be in the finals.”
In non-televised Atlantic City undercard fights, undefeated Hungarian multi-world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18 KOs) scored a dominant TKO 6 (1:58) over former super middleweight world champion Byron Mitchell and power-punching Colombian former world title challenger Edison “Pantera” Miranda scored a dominant eight-round decision over Pittsburgh’s Rayco Saunders.
The event was co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing.
Saturday night’s telecast will re-air on Tuesday, June 7 at 10p ET/PT on SHOWTIME Extreme.
Gus Johnson (blow-by-blow), Al Bernstein and Antonio Tarver (analysts) called the action with Jim Gray reporting from ringside. The executive producer was David Dinkins, Jr., with Bob Dunphy directing.
For more information on the Super Six World Boxing Classic including exclusive photos, fight highlights and interviews, plus to view all episodes of the acclaimed documentary series FIGHT CAMP 360°: Inside The Super Six World Boxing Classic, please visit the website at www.WorldBoxingClassic.com
