Froch Targets Inkin

Carl Froch has called on Russian Dennis Inkin to meet him in a final world-title eliminator.

The British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion Froch stopped another Russian, Sergey Tatevosyan, in two rounds on Friday.

Froch was ranked number three by both the WBO and WBC prior to that fight but Lucian Bute - who was ranked above him by both bodies - has opted to contest a final eliminator for the IBF championship.

With Bute out of the picture, Froch is set to move up and become the number-two contender for the WBO crown held by his long-term rival Joe Calzaghe. Only Inkin would remain above him.

Froch, however, holds the whip hand over Inkin with the WBC, whose rankings he is set to top.

"I get the feeling Inkin is hoping to sit and wait in his number-one slot with the WBO and get a nice, easy, straight shot at the title," began Froch. "But I'm afraid, Dennis, that you are going to have come through me.

"I am right on your case. We are going to be number one and number two for both the WBC and WBO titles. To find the mandatory (challenger) there needs to be a final eliminator. Calzaghe's next defence is due soon. Let's cut out the rubbish and do it for both titles.

"I'm challenging you to meet me in an old-school fight between two undefeated bangers," Froch added.

"Don't swerve me at all costs like Bute has. It was looking like him and me in a WBC final eliminator, but he has gone another route. His team knew I was contracted to box last week so I couldn't fight an IBF eliminator.

"Don't look for the easy option and play the ratings game. You're 29-0 with 23 KOs; I'm 21-0 with 17 KOs. We are the highest-rated contenders, so let's do things the proper way.

"You beat me as an amateur. You got a good win on points in an England-Russia international. But don't forget, in the last round I put you down heavily and only the bell saved you. I want the opportunity to do the job properly this time. I'm going to knock you out."


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