You are in > manchester.com  > News > Froch retains title

Boxing

Froch retains title

18/02/2006

Carl Froch made a fifth successful defensive of his Commonwealth super-middleweight title with a ninth-round stoppage of Australian Dale Westerman in Bethnal Green's York Hall.

The 28-year-old struggled in the early rounds as Westerman found his feet quickly and caught Froch with two good shots in rounds one and two.

However, Froch battled back with some good shots of his own and drew blood from Westerman's mouth.

Froch was already well ahead on points by the ninth round but with Westerman bleeding badly, a good shot from Froch forced the referee to step in and award the champion his 18th win of his professional career.

"It wasn't the best performance and I got hit with a couple of shots I shouldn't have got hit with," Froch said.

"I took him a little bit lightly but it won't happen again."

Froch's next defensive is against Brian Magee in Belfast at the end of next month, with the winner set to get a European title shot against Vitali Tsypko in the summer.

Magee faced Tsypko last summer but controversially lost the bout in Germany last July after a split-points decision in a fight he dominated.

Froch is also looking ahead to a possible world title fight later on in the year with Joe Calzaghe, if he can get past Magee and Tsypko.

© Adfero Ltd