Super Six Results: Carl Froch vs Andre Dirrell

What the Froch was that?

Last Saturday's bout against Andre Dirrell will long live in the memory of Carl Froch as the most awkward and frustrating of his career. Despite claiming the win by split decision, the Nottingham bruiser will be aware this fight was a lot closer than he publicly acknowledged and far from convincing.

The opening rounds were a tentative, cagey battle of the jab. Dirrell scored with cleaner, more accurate shots while Froch was the aggressor, persistently hunting down his opponent, looking for the opening. By the end of the third, no meaningful exchange had occurred, despite Froch's efforts to force the trade off, and it was clear this wasn't going to be the explosive toe-to-toe war the Nottingham fans had hoped for. Nor was it to liking of Froch's girlfriend, Rachel Cordingly, sitting ringside in an orange figure-hugging ensemble, who was heard on camera clearly opining of the American: "he's fighting like a faggot!" Nice.

Froch continued to pour forward, leading with jabs and hooks, many of which were successfully countered by Dirrell. He knew he had to get on the inside to bring the pain but the American continually clinched to prevent him, much to ire of the partisan crowd. The Nottingham boxer was no angel either; roughing up Dirrell during clinches and hitting him on the back of the head. In one memorable incident in the fifth, Froch slammed him to the canvas, which drew a big roar from his fans, but in reality it was a clear sign of frustration.

As the fight progressed into the later rounds, we saw the best and worst of Dirrell. His hand speed, agility and footwork were a joy to behold. For large swathes of the fight, Froch couldn't score a clean shot and he was made to look lead-footed and clumsy. But all of this was largely overshadowed by the American's persistent holding, complaining and running. Every time Froch got close he smothered him and clung for dear life or else bent straight over, like he was desperately searching for a dropped quid, leaving Froch with no option but to hit him on the back of the head.

By the tenth, the Panamanian Referee had had enough and Dirrell was penalised a point for his persistent holding. The deduction was deserved but Froch can count himself lucky not to have also been penalised for his rough-house infractions. Finally the fight progressed from the cat-and-mouse snoozefest with Dirrell actually planting his feet to unload a few combos.

Most analysts were in agreement that Froch would dominate in a square-go but, surprisingly, he didn't have it all his own way once the fight opened up a little. Of the last four rounds I gave nine and 12 to Forch, with Dirrell taking ten and 11. Indeed, in the closing seconds of the tenth, a big left hook rocked Froch and his legs buckled momentarily. Dirrell closed in swinging wildly; more in hope than expectation, but Froch took a moment to clear his head while in a defensive posture then came out swinging and the American was backing off once more.

Dirrell's grandfather and trainer, Leon Lawson Sr, sent his grandson into the 12th with the brief of knocking Froch out ("You ain't gonna get a decision here!") but that never looked likely. The American was in uncharted territory having never previously ventured past the tenth and, with one aggressive thrust of jabs and hooks excepted, it was Froch who had the better of the round. Fittingly, Dirrell was pinned to ropes, weaving and frustrating his opponent, as the final bell rang out.

Robert McCracken, Froch's trainer, was heard informing his man that the fight was theirs but the crowd didn't seem as confident and it was a nervy wait for the decision. There were audible gasps when Jimmy Lennon Jr, giving it his usual film voiceover shtick, announced a split decision. In the event, the home crowd needn't have worried; their man got the nod. The judges’ cards reading 114-113 Dirrell, 115-112 Froch and 115-112 Froch.

In the end Dirrell's tactics cost him. You cannot win a decision as a challenger in a title bout by running, clinching, falling over and complaining - spoiling the fight, essentially. Throughout he was only prepared to go toe-to-toe with Froch once and that was when he thought the champ was hurt. Ironically Dirrell out-punched his opponent but this wasn't the Olympics and the judges looked unfavourably on his negativity. If he had frustrated less and demonstrated more aggression he could have won the decision but to do that he would have had to risk getting knocked out and he was obviously not prepared to do so.

For my money, Froch deserved the win. He didn't look convincing but he was willing to put his belt on the line and have a war. It takes two-to-tango and Dirrell was having none of it. Many people lauded his ability to evade punches and land the unseen counter but I'm not one of them. This wasn't Floyd Mayweather Jr or Sugar Ray Leonard - this was a boxer who came to steal a title in the most cynical manner possible and the only reason I will watch him again is in the hope that some proper bombs actually hit him next time.