Boxing News Boxing News
WBC Super Middleweight Champ Carl“The Cobra” Froch believes that Mikkel Kessler has what it takes tocomplete a clean sweep for Europe in the final bout of Group Stage 1 in theSuper Six World Boxing Classic this weekend.
With Froch having ended the unbeatenrun of American hotshot Andre Dirrell last month and German based ArmenianArthur Abraham scoring a final round KO over Jermain Taylor it’scurrently 2 – 0 to Europe ahead of Kessler’s clash with Andre Wardin the U.S. this weekend.
Saturday night’s bout from Portlandis live in the UK and Irelandon Primetime (Sky channel 480) and while the Super Sixtournament is an individual competition Froch admits that he’s hopingthat Kessler can make it a clean sweep for the European’s over theirStateside rivals.
“The Yank’saren’t having the best of times so far,” said Froch. “I feltfor Jermain Taylor getting stopped in the last round again against Abraham, itwas like my fight with him all over again. As for Dirrell he was just far toonegative against me. Maybe Ward can get them back into it but if hedoesn’t then it will have been a disastrous start for theAmerican’s.
“I suppose there is a little bit of an‘us and them’ attitude with the American’s and theEuropean’s but having said that my remaining two fights in the roundrobin stage of the tournament are against Kessler and Abraham so I’ll befocusing on them from now on.”
Indeed Froch is hoping that Kessler emerges fromSaturday night’s clash with Ward with his WBA title intact so that boththe WBC and WBA belts are on the line when they meet in the New Year.
“Our fight is already a massive fight but that would make it even bigger.I’m really looking forward to the Kessler fight because I knowthat’s exactly what it’s going to be – a FIGHT. Dirrell didn’tcome to fight and it made for a poor spectacle for the fans but you know whenme and Kessler get in the ring there’s going to be fireworks.”
Froch admits that he shared a few jokes with theDanish hero during the press tour to launch the Super Six earlier in the yearbut it will be strictly business when it comes to stepping in to the ring withhim. “I like Mikkel, he’s a good guy and we had a good laugh on thepress tour but business is business and I know I have the power to KO anyoneout there including Kessler.”
However Froch has a message of consolation forKessler’s fans. “Even when I beat Mikkel I still expect him tobounce back and we will probably end up having a rematch in the final. He justneeds to make sure he doesn’t slip up this weekend against Ward orotherwise he could be fighting for his survival in the competition againstme.”
To watch Kessler V Ward live onPrimetime (Sky channel 480) call 0871 200 4444 (+448702416 666 from the Republic of Ireland) or see http://www.primetimelive.co.uk.The event costs just £5.95.
For more information on the Super Six World BoxingClassic including exclusive videos, photography, expert analysis from AlBernstein and Steve Farhood, and much more please visit www.WorldBoxingClassic.com or visithttp://www.hennessysports.com/worldboxingclassic.htm.
