This Weeks Warren Article In The Sun: Froch Turns Down Cleverly.....Haye v Fury Close

"This week, talk in the business has been dominated by three potentially great fights; one a 'done deal', one a very live possibility and one, sadly, already dead in the water, so it seems.

The latter is the proposed catch weight clash between rival British world champions Nathan Cleverly and Carl Froch. Last week, I made Team Froch a written offer of £2.5million to challenge WBO light-heavy king 'Clev' at a compromise weight of 12 stone 4lbs.

Even though Froch's IBF and WBA super-middle belts would not be at stake, 'The Cobra' rejected what would undoubtedly have been one of the highest paydays of his career, barely half an hour after the offer was made!

Pity. It would have provided Froch, a career super-middle, with a gilt edged chance to strengthen his legacy and style himself as a two-weight world champion. Make no mistake, it was champion Cleverly, who began his career down at welterweight, who is prepared to make the greater sacrifices.

Dropping weight is significantly more precarious than adding it. Anyway, Froch could call upon the considerable expertise of the sport scientists at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, where he trains, to optimise the small weight gain.

Physically, there is little to split them. Nathan is half an inch taller, Carl has a fractionally longer reach. Essentially, it would come down to who is the better fighter. I sense Froch knows the answer, hence his reluctance!

I believe Froch-Cleverly would have far more appeal to British fans than a third slug-out between the Midlander and Denmark's Mikkel Kessler which would simply ascertain who is the second best super-middle on the globe.

And few industry experts give Froch much chance of avenging division leader Andre Ward – who comprehensively schooled him in a drab affair 18 months ago – regardless of location.

Froch-Cleverly, however, would split the trade. The pair has already become embroiled in a few spicy exchanges via social media networks after Nathan aided Kessler's prep for the Froch rematch.

There is no better way for prizefighters to settle a score than between the ropes. Sadly for fans, Froch is refusing to step up.

On a more positive front, expect the heavyweight collision between David Haye and Tyson Fury to be confirmed for early autumn very shortly. Fury, a trigger tongued 6ft 9in traveler from Cheshire, is unbeaten in 21 fights with 15 knockouts. He recently forfeited his position as mandatory challenger to European champ Kurbat Pulev of Bulgaria so that negotiations for a bang-up with two-weight world champion Haye could commence.

Haye-Fury represents just about the hottest match-up that can be made in the UK at present. It would fill any arena or stadium in the land, generating massive revenue and publicity for the sport.

The feuding rivals might not be the two best heavyweights on the planet but they're certainly the most colourful and charismatic. Both bring big followings, heavy fists and huge egos.

A spat between them would attract far more intrigue than any fight involving the dour Klitschko brothers who currently dominate the division.

It's no secret in the industry that, despite his colossal frame, Fury's chin is not the stoutest. Twice recently, he's been dumped on his rump by fighters a league below the division's elite. Nevertheless, he'd enter a clash against Haye with substantial physical advantages and he's a talented technician. Does he have the nous and tools to stave off those Hayemakers? Hopefully fans will get to find out shortly."



Frank's talking the talk.

He is indeed... Sounds like he's trying to stir up some publicity for clev off the back of froch, but maybe he's just carrying out his negotiations in public.

Interesting that haye fury is close to done deal.

What was the third fight he referred to?

Slug-out?

Trigger tongued?

Bang-up?

Dumped on his rump?

I was perfectly prepared to believe that Frank Warren would use that kind of language, it was describing Fury as a 'talented technician' that gave the game away.

Must have been really hard to take when Froch realised Cleverly was a better fighter.....

Give it a year Frank and Eddie Hearn might be able to make it happen......When Clev is in the matchrooom stable..

The time i thought Clev was ok was when he beat Fry; he was a decent amateur if not a pro.

Frank must think Froch's best days are behind him. Might be some truth in that.

Frank must think he needs to get a sizeable fight while he still has subscribers...Is more like it....

If you are considering pulling out of Boxnation this fight in four months time would most likely keep you in..

BoxNation showing the big American PPV fights for £10 a month is keeping him going is my guess.

I reckon Frank knew Froch wouldn't be interested in Cleverly because he can make bigger money fighting Kessler or Ward.

Clev v froch is a hard fight to make. Frank will want it on box nation, Hearn on sky box office.

Physically, there is little to split them. Nathan is half an inch taller, Carl has a fractionally longer reach. Essentially, it would come down to who is the better fighter. I sense Froch knows the answer, hence his reluctance!

That paragraph cracked me up.