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Carl Froch not about to take his new opponent lightly

After he beat Robin Reid last November, the last thing on Carl Froch's mind was a six-month absence from the ring. But things seldom work out completely as they are planned. While Froch's progress in 2007 was held up by injuries, this year has been hindered by injuries to his would-be opponents.
Yesterday, Froch got another new opponent, when it was announced that he will now face Albert Rybacki of Poland at the Trent FM Arena, Nottingham, tomorrow. It is his fourth opponent in about a fortnight and that brings its own dangers.

Froch looking for a new opponent

Rumours circulating are that Carl Froch is searching for another opponent for his WBC super-middleweight eliminator on May 10 after Denis Inkin, the Germany-based Russian, pulled out of the bout for a second time.
Inkin pulled out of the original March 29 date in Nottingham with "an acute infection" and I understand that he has withdrawn again.

Cleverly gets night off to good start for Team Calzaghe

Nathan Cleverly, the unbeaten super-middleweight and sparring partner of Joe Calzaghe, got the evening off to a good start as he recorded a one-sided victory over the game Antonio Baker at the Thomas & Mack Centre in Las Vegas.

As is his practice on his big nights in Wales, Calzaghe sat ringside to watch his young stablemate until the seventh round, even though his big fight against Bernard Hopkins was just two hours away.

Calzaghe goes in search of a hoodie

Joe Calzaghe turned up for the start of his three-date US media tour in New York on Tuesday with Bernard Hopkins wearing a smart suit (albeit combined with a Planet Hollywood T-shirt). It moves on to Los Angeles and, while Calzaghe may not be planning to sink to Hopkins's level regarding the trash talk, he is certainly planning to dress down a bit - he's asked for a hoodie.

More titles, or no belts at all - what is the way forward?

I am sure like a lot of others, I winced when watching post-bout interview on ITV4 after the WBU welterweight title bout between Michael Jennings (left) and Ross Minter. It had been a great domestic scrap, Minter's aggressive style mixing well with the boxing skills on the move of Jennings. After, the pair were particularly respectful to each other and Minter said he knew it would be tough because Jennings was "a world champion". Some may put the pair up for the British Boxing Board of Control's sportsmanship award, others would want Minter up before the Board on a charge of bringing the sport into disrepute.

Hennessy confident Witter will still be boxing in US

Mick Hennessy, the promoter of Junior Witter, remains confident that Witter will still be getting his big break on US television next month despite attempts by Demetrius Hopkins to distance himself from the contest.

Hopkins was due to be challenging for Witter's WBC light-welterweight title in California on March 22 - which is due to be broadcast on HBO alongside the Joel Casamayor-Michael Katsidis bout - but the American, the nephew of Bernard Hopkins, has had a falling out with his uncle and Golden Boy, his promoters.

Decision day for Froch

Carl Froch will decide next month where and when he will have his WBC final eliminator against Denis Inkin of Russia.

Fight night notes

The chief support to Hatton-Mayweather was Jeff Lacy versus Peter Manfredo Jr, two boxers who went a total of 15 rounds with Joe Calzaghe without even threatening to win a round.

Haye keeps title ... for now

Despite the promise that he is to move up to heavyweight, the possibility that he might yet defend the WBC and WBA cruiserweight titles he won by stopping Jean-Marc Mormeck at the weekend in Paris.

The ups and downs of Robin Reid

I am usually delighted when an old boxer retires. Too many old fighters stick around too long, trading off a long-ago lost reputation and end up getting a few batterings which could affect their health in later life. Robin Reid is getting out with his mental faculties intact and, if Friday night's performance was really the best he could still do, he's getting out at the right time.

Hennessy takes Froch cause to Manila

Mick Hennessy, the promoter of Carl Froch, will this week travel to Manila for the WBC convention to press the cause for his man to get a shot at the world title.

Froch finds a new target

Carl Froch has been calling out Joe Calzaghe for the past three years, but deep down the British super-middleweight champion knows he is unlikely ever to get his shot at the boxer many believe is Britain’s best ever.

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.