Reid's still punching

He has often been forgotten, but Robin Reid has never quite disappeared. Next month it will be ten years since Reid lost his WBC super-middleweight title, but tomorrow night, at Nottingham Arena, he will challenge Carl Froch for the British title. He has boxed for many trophies in his lengthy career - and even has an Olympic bronze medal – but Reid has never contested the Lonsdale Belt.

Reid, 36, is not looking at the bout, which will be screened live on Sky Sports 1, as necessarily a way back into the big time, he is just happy to be contesting the British title.

When I was on my way up, I went straight for the WBC title, I never fought for the British title, so I am looking forward to doing that,” Reid said. “I will come down to win. Carl is a good fighter, but this will be his fourth and last defence.”

Froch, 30, who is unbeaten in 21 bouts, also hopes this will be his last defence, as he believes victory will lead to a world title shot. If Joe Calzaghe will not face him, as the WBC's No 2 and Nos 3, 5 and 11 by the IBF, WBO and WBA respectively, Froch would be in line for a shot at a vacant world title should Calzaghe move up in weight. But Reid believes Froch could be taking him too lightly.

"He's looking too far ahead,” Reid said. “I've seen fighters do that too many times. He's got a big hurdle in front of him and he will pay for that. He can punch, he's elusive but I've got the experience.”

Reid's career has seldom gone to plan since he lost his world title to Sugar Boy Malinga in 1997. He was widely considered to be desperately unlucky to lose a hometown decision to Sven Ottke for the WBA and IBF titles in Germany in 2003 and he considered retiring after losing to Jeff Lacy in 2005. Since then he has had one bout, beating Jesse Brinkley as part of the UK v US Contender series in Newcastle in March.

But it is one defeat in that same arena in Newcastle in 1999 that could have been his greatest display, the night he came close than anyone else to beating Calzaghe.

He was facing Calzaghe in his third defence and lost a split decision, the only time the Welshman did not get the vote from all three judges. Calzaghe has made 18 more successful defences since.
“It was a close fight but I've watched it many times since,” Reid said. “I've watched it from my point of view, from his point of view and from a neutral point of view and  I always think I win by two rounds.

"But I don't seem to get any credit for it now.  People never say I was the only person who came close to beating him, everyone seems to have forgotten. The other day I even heard my name mentioned as one of the careers Joe practically ended. But I'm still here. "Utmost respect to Joe, I don't hate him. At the time I took the fight for silly money and when I lost I thought I would get a rematch for better money, but it never happened. It got swept under the carpet.”