Froch vs. Mack: The Cobra Retains IBF Super-Middleweight Title

Yusaf Mack boasted that he would out-slick Carl Froch the way Andre Ward did, but reality made a liar out of him. He was unsuccessful in his attempts to solve the Cobra. Froch improved to 30-2, handing Mack his fifth defeat as a professional. Using a lethal right-left combination into Mack's ribs in the third round, Froch scored an emphatic knockout win. The British champion prevailed in his homeland and retained his IBF super middleweight title in the process. Mack was fighting an uphill battle from the very beginning by traveling to Nottingham to face the champion. Froch was too much for the Philadelphian and has now placed himself in line for a major payday. He could always chase a rematch with Andre Ward to avenge his loss in December of 2011. A prideful fighter like Froch has to be interested in settling the score with Ward. After Ward's dominating defeat of Chad Dawson, he's one of the hottest names in the sport. If Froch is to be mentioned in the same breath, he needs to even the score with him. Another possible high profile bout could come in a rematch with Lucian Bute. Froch stopped Bute in May to win the IBF title, but Bute is on the comeback trail. This would be a step back for Froch, in my opinion. At 35 years old, he needs to take fights that elevate his career. Beating a man he's already defeated should rank fairly low on his list of priorities. Winning definitely creates options and that is what Froch now has. We'll see what direction he chooses to move in next, but after another winning performance, he's creeping up on the pound-for-pound lists.