Lee Froch reveals he fought alcohol and gambling problems during brother Carl’s boxing career

Watch: Carl and Lee Froch on Lee’s own boxing career and battles with addiction

Lee Froch revealed he’s fought off alcohol and gambling problems which developed during his brother Carl’s career to land a heavyweight boxing title fight this month.

Lee, older brother to the former four-time world champion, will bring boxing back to Nottingham Arena by taking on Richie ‘The Viking’ Leak on September 29.

Lee Froch has built his own name in the sport through an unbeaten run in unlicensed and semi-professional fights, and is going for the European Boxing Federation (EBF) English heavyweight title.

Carl is expected to be ringside to cheer on his brother for the fight, and told Notts TV the pair are not just close because of boxing.

He said: “To see ‘Return of the Froch’ on the poster, for me it’s surreal, my first world title was here, back in December 2008, and after that I boxed Lucian Bute, that was the biggest fight for me, I became three times world champion, in 2012.

“Lee knows the belts and the dates better than me, because Lee was my number one fan. Lee lived a life through my life winning world titles.

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Lee Froch, right will fight Richie ‘The Viking’ Leak at Nottingham Arena.

“But he was drinking and he was partying – he was living the lavish lifestyle that I wasn’t living, because of having to, not sacrifice, because it’s something I wanted to do, but I was leaving that aside – leaving that to Lee actually.”

Lee, who also learned to box as a boy in Gedling and sparred his brother, was a regular ringside at Carl’s fights and played a memorable part in the build-up to many bouts, particularly in the colourful war of words between camps ahead of the fights against George Groves in 2013 and 2014.

“I was drinking far too much that what I should have been drinking,” said Lee.

Lee Froch is going for a semi-pro title on September 29.

“I was also gambling a lot. I obviously had to go into sobriety. I do meetings, I do shares and it’s something I enjoy and I’m now helping others as well.

“So, yeah I had some problems with addiction, but I’ve put them to bed and now I’m two and a half years clean, and onwards and upwards with the boxing career.”

Carl added “To turn his life around, the way he has turned it around and to be now fighting at Nottingham Arena, I couldn’t be prouder, Lee’s proud of himself and his wife’s proud of him – but this is just the start of his journey as mentioned in top10pokerwebsites.net.

“He refuses to quit – he’s such a fierce competitor, my brother. I just know he’s going to be successful when he boxes this Viking. He’s done it all on his own. He’s been though hell, he’s through it now, and now we can enjoy life.”

The September 29 undercard also features Andy Flint vs Paul Stephenson, Tim Sobers vs Paul Thompson, Calum Reeve vs George Farell and Jack Fletcher vs Dan Treacy.

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