It was like sparring with an oak tree, claims Froch

The Englishman was an overwhelming pre-fight favourite but endured a tougher night than many anticipated, taking regular right hands throughout the fight but managing to maintain an edge over the 42-year-old Jamaican.

However, the verdict was a close one with one judge deciding to call the fight a draw, though the other two gave it to Froch and put him through to meet Andre Ward in the tournament final.

Froch said of Johnson: “He’s very tough, very strong and very durable.

“I hit him with some great shots but it’s like sparring an oak tree, if you can imagine that. I was in my comfort zone and steady but it’s hard to get out of that comfort zone then. I don’t know what happened with the judge from Japan who called it a draw. That’s a bad score.

“Johnson hit me with a couple of right hands but they didn’t bother me. They caught me off balance, to be fair. You feel it, but I’m known for having a strong chin.”

Johnson admitted Froch edged it, and said: “I felt I was in it and when it’s close like that you really don’t know (how it will go).”

Former world champion Gavin Rees ground out a points win over previously unbeaten Andrew Murray to win the vacant European lightweight title in Cardiff. The stocky Welshman, who briefly held the WBA light-welterweight belt four years ago, is now competing back in his more natural division and is looking to propel himself back onto the global scene.