Nottingham´s Carl Froch has delivered an astonishing outburst against WBA junior-welterweight champion Amir Khan.

WBC super-middleweight champion Froch is preparing for his title defense against Denmark’s Mikkel Kessler on April17th in Denmark. That fight is part of the Showtime Super Six World Boxing Classic unification series.

It is the latest chapter of what is a unique feud between two reigning British world boxing champions. Froch initiated the slanging match by dismissing the Bolton fighter as “overhyped” and “chinny” following his first round knockout loss to Colombian Breidis Prescott in 2008. Froch followed that up by describing Khan´s title winning fight with Andriy Kotelnik  as “boring.”

“I've never been a big fan of Amir. He won the WBA title but it was one of the most boring fights I've ever seen.”

A stunned Khan hit back by branding Froch a “nobody” and claimed he (Khan) sells more tickets in Froch´s hometown of Nottingham than Froch himself does. 

“Carl Froch? I don't really like him. He has said some unfair things about me. When there are other Britons fighting, you should talk them up not talk trash about them.”

Now Froch has fired off another volley of verbal abuse toward Khan. Discussing  Khan´s 76 second demolition of  Dmitriy Salita earlier this month, Froch said;

"Khan took him out with some fast, clean shots. But, without wanting to upset King Khan again - who is this Salita fella? I'm not being derogatory but honestly, I've never heard of the bloke. I'd want to see an opponent at least take a shot and throw some back. I suppose it's down to the mandatory situation that he fought Amir.”

Salita was rated as the WBA´s No 1 contender, and was therefore Khan´s mandatory defense. Had he not defended against Salita, he would have been stripped of his title by the WBA.

"Maybe I don't follow enough boxing but, correct me if I'm wrong, Salita was never regarded as a hot prospect,” said Froch

"If he was any good we'd have all heard about him before he'd got to the No 1 spot, wouldn't we? My first defense was Jermain Taylor in America, which kind of gives you an idea of what a genuine contender should be - someone who can declare themselves 'world class' and therefore be qualified to get a shot at the world champion. That guy Salita had no business in there and I'd bet my house on him never getting another shot again at any belt. But with regards to Khan, yes, he looked decent and completely in control."

In the past Froch has shown frustration at the lack of interest shown to him and his fights by UK TV companies. His last fight, a title defense against American Andre Dirrell was only due to be broadcast in the UK via an internet feed until ITV picked it up at the last moment. In comparison, Khan (22 -1, 16 ko´s) has an exclusive multi-million pound contract with Sky-Box office.

Froch´s split decision win over Dirrell drew boo´s from ringside fans and criticism from newspaper pundits. Khan´s win over the admittedly average Salita, was greeted by cheers from the ringside fans and rave reviews across the board. He has now aroused the attention of no less than Oscar De La Hoya and his Golden Boy promotional company, and a series of big fights in the States are predicted.

"He's gotten upset because I gave a little feedback on his Prescott defeat and reported I'd heard his Kotelnik win was a little dull from reports off my friends, who had paid for the show and were disappointed. He (Khan) is just a bit young and fragile and probably just needs a hug from the rest of Team Khan or his personal chauffeur or whatever. I've met Amir a couple of times and he is a nice enough kid to chat to and so is his father. But the bottom line is I have always told it how it is and to sugar-coat things is just taking the mickey out of the boxing fans. But I do respect Khan for the way he came back from the Prescott defeat because it was a brutal loss. I admit the people he's come back against have not been top fighters, but are still semi-decent for him to fight.”

But just when it seemed Froch was warming to Khan, he got back on his previous track;
“I don't visualize him as a world champion yet, though, because he's fought nobody world class yet. There's no malice intended. I deal with cold truth. We all get criticised. I cop a lot of criticism off Barry McGuigan, Jim Watt and so on but it doesn't mean I start crying.”

The bottom line is that Carl Froch is more than a little bitter and jealous of the plaudits and purses that go Amir Khan´s way. Professional boxing is the hardest game of all, and fighters naturally need to earn as much as they can from their careers. But Froch is wrong to vent his spleen at Khan. Some fighters are box-office naturals and some are not. Froch´s boxing style, while affective, is awkward and ungainly. His personality is often abrasive and self promoting.
In comparison, Khan is a former Olympic star, he is ten years younger than Froch, he has a flashy, exciting fighting style, and in interviews he never puts a foot wrong and is a PR man´s dream.

I wish both of them all the best for their careers, and hopefully Carl can direct some of his frustration toward Mister Kessler next April.

Fight odds; Froch 20/23, Kessler 4/5 bet365