2016
Carl Froch - former boxer and now boxing analyst
Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science in recognition of his significant contribution to boxing on an international stage.
At six years old, Carl Froch had his first taste of boxing when a punch bag was put up in the garage of his family home in Colwick on the outskirts of Nottingham. He later joined the Phoenix Amateur Boxing Club in nearby Gedling and had his first fight aged 10. He won several amateur titles before joining forces with respected coach Rob McCracken. He turned professional almost a year later when he won the British Super Middleweight Championship in 2004. He went on to win and retain a number of British and Commonwealth titles and fought for his first world title in December 2008 – which he duly won in a unanimous points decision. Carl fought to defend the title on several occasions, suffering his only two losses in the process. He went on to win the IBF World Championship title in a fight in Nottingham against Romanian Lucian Bute. He was named World Boxing News ‘Fighter of the Year’ in 2012 as well as being named the BBC’s best ‘pound for pound’ boxer. He has since retired from boxing and turned his attention to boxing analysis.
Carl was recently made an Honorary Freeman of the City of Nottingham and was awarded an MBE for his services to his sport in 2015.