Froch/Inkin will be shown on Showtime!

Mayz · Post by **Mayz** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:30 am

Unbeaten Nottingham super-middleweight Carl Froch has landed a deal with US pay-per-view channel Showtime which he hopes will finally help him land the marquee fights he craves.

Froch's WBC title eliminator against Denis Inkin in his home city on March 29 will be broadcast live on ITV1 in Britain, as well as prime-time on a tape delay basis across America.

It is a major coup for Froch, who will become the mandatory contender for Joe Calzaghe's title if he can overcome the big-punching Inkin - although Calzaghe is moving up to light-heavyweight to face Bernard Hopkins in April.

Froch said: "I'd prefer to fight Joe but if he's not up for it and steps down then I should be made champion. Then with this kind of exposure I will be able to go after the really big fights.

"I won't duck anyone and I'd love to fight Kelly Pavlik, who beat Jermain Taylor again last night. There is nobody else around who can give Pavlik as tough a fight as I can.

"I've been trying to get this exposure for so long and I'm absolutely delighted that I'm being showcased on both sides of the Atlantic. To get this kind of exposure worldwide is unbeatable."

Calzaghe is unlikely to voluntarily vacate his WBC title prior to Froch's match against Inkin, with the likelihood that Froch will be declared champion retrospectively should he beat Inkin and the Welshman commit to 175lbs.

Alternatively Froch could consider the appetising prospect of a future fight against one of former Calzaghe victims Mikkel Kessler or Jeff Lacy.

Froch's promoter Mick Hennessy said: "This is a major statement from broadcasters on both sides of the Atlantic which confirm that Carl Froch is one of the marquee fighters of world boxing today."

Mayz · Post by **Mayz** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:31 am

Thats great exposure for Froch, he really needs to do something about his 'name' and he seems to be doing it over here and in the US now as well.

Pride Of Wales · Post by **Pride Of Wales** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:12 am

Is it Shobox or Showrtime thats airing it? I am quite surprised if its Showtime, but it will give him much needed exposure for sure..

jeff_lacy_ko · Post by **jeff_lacy_ko** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 11:47 am

This is great news. Froch looked good knocking out Reid. Is this Inkin guy legit? Anybody know anything about his style?

the13r · Post by **the13r** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 11:50 am

i saw that during the eliteXc broadcast, they said tehyll show inkin vs froch and teh otehr undercard bout (4 undefeated fighters) will be shown right after the MMa card.

gotiye · Post by **gotiye** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:21 pm

I caught that announcement on elite xc. I'm glad showtime is getting these guys some exposure................
168 has so much depth and talent that is overlooked in the US..................

Mayz · Post by **Mayz** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:38 pm

jeff_lacy_ko wrote:This is great news. Froch looked good knocking out Reid. Is this Inkin guy legit? Anybody know anything about his style?

I've only seen clips from the Viet fight and he seems to be a boxer/puncher and I hear he's definitely legit. This fight has been talked about for a while and I know theres a lot of people who rate Inkin very highly. I can't really be sure how good he really is though since I've barely seen him fight.

He did beat Froch in the amateurs, so he must be pretty decent (although Froch did almost knock him out in the last round).

Top Buzz · Post by **Top Buzz** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:47 pm

about time Froch got some exposure, sitting around praying for Calzaghe was never gonna get him anywhere