CARL FROCH is the latest big British boxing name to be in the running for the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.
The event, on Sunday, December 14, sees him shortlisted alongside some huge names from the world of sport, including hot favourite golfer Rory McIlroy, F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, footballer Gareth Bale, gymnast Max Whitlock, swimmer Adam Peaty, rider Charlotte Dujardin, athlete Joe Pavey and Paralympic skier Kelly Gallagher and guide Charlotte Evans.
A panel made up of sports stars, editors and BBC executives decided on the 10 contenders and Froch will be looking for a podium finish behind McIlroy and Hamilton.
He is realistic about his chances.
“McIlroy has had such a good year and there’s Lewis Hamilton, those two,” he admitted. “If you look at my [whole] career maybe I’d be okay but if you’re looking at my year I’ve had one fight [stopping George Groves]. I know I’ve crossed over and it was massive at Wembley but if you’re looking at the year’s achievements then it’s difficult to pick me.
“Maybe I’ve got more fans now [the winner is down to the public vote of the nation’s viewers], I was on the BBC’s Tumble, but with the BBC not showing boxing anymore that doesn’t help my case. And McIlroy’s done fantastically he’s had a great year.
“I think my deserving place is being in the top 10 and it’s just nice to be acknowledged.”
The last boxer to win it was Joe Calzaghe, in 2007, after wins over Peter Manfredo and Mikkel Kessler.
Froch is still deliberating over what he will do in the future. He is holding out for a fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr in Las Vegas and promoter Eddie Hearn has held encouraging talks with the Mexican’s adviser, Al Haymon.
“I want the fight in Vegas,” Froch reiterated. “It doesn’t have to be against Chavez, it can be against someone who takes me to Vegas – that could mean James DeGale – but I want to fight in Las Vegas because it’s the fight capital of the world, all my heroes have boxed there and it’s something I’ve never done before. If the Vegas fight doesn’t happen, I’m probably going to retire but I’m still hanging on to that one. The Vegas dream is still alive but I’m not holding my breath because if I did I would have choked out by now.”
DeGale, Froch’s mandatory contender for his IBF title, sparkled in 2014 with wins over Brandon Gonzales and Marco Antonio Periban, stopping both opponents in good fashion.
Froch says the Harlesden southpaw could have done no more.
“No, he couldn’t have,” the Nottingham man continued. “What James DeGale could have done is not lost to George Groves when he lost to him and he would have already boxed me by now. He missed his spot. He lost to Groves and Groves jumped ahead of him in the queue. That’s how boxing works. It’s fair to say Groves nicked his spot. When you win you move up the ladder, when you lose you stay where you are or go down.”
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