10.11.07 Froch TKO's Reid

Carl Froch stretched his unbeaten record to 22 fights with an impressive victory over former world champion Robin Reid.

Reid was pulled out by his corner due to a shoulder injury after the fifth round, having been down in both the second and fifth.

The victory puts British super-middleweight champion Froch into world title contention, with a domestic super-fight against Joe Calzaghe one future possibility.



The 36-year-old Reid's best days are clearly now behind him - the defeat is likely to signal the end of a decorated career that included a five-fight reign as WBC super middleweight champion more than a decade ago.

Froch took time to settle in front of his home crowd in Nottingham and was discomforted by Reid's spoiling tactics during the opening round.

But the 30-year-old took control of the fight with some crisp combinations in the second - the cumulative impact of which resulted in Reid going down on one knee just before the bell.

The Runcorn fighter was not yet in serious difficulty and re-grouped somewhat with some solid defence to keep Froch largely at bay during the third and fourth.

And there were even some promising moments for Reid in the fifth, twice landing with the right-hand as Froch dropped his guard.

But Froch took those shots comfortably and came back to dispatch Reid to the canvas with a single right-hand with 34 second left in the fifth.

Reid took a nine-count on one knee and made it through to the bell, but was then withdrawn by his corner with a shoulder injury given as the official explanation.

"It was a great performance by myself," Froch told Sky Sports.

"I was easing into it as I've not boxed for seven months so it was comeback fight for me.

"I was hoping to get some more rounds in, that's why I was pacing myself, taking my time and just trying to get my range with the jab.

"Robin Reid's a world class operator, he's not at his best - I'm not under any illusions but he's come here well prepared and hungry to take this British title.

"I consider myself world class now, I'm ranked number one by the WBC and I'm on Joe Calzaghe's tail at the minute - I want a fight with him and am prepared to step up to light-heavyweight."