Eurosport - Fri, 11 Sep 16:53:00 2009
Buzz Up!
Carl Froch believes the Super Six World Boxing Classic will be the perfect opportunity for him to prove he is the best fighter in the world.
BOXING, Showtime Challange, Driller, Ward, Froch, Taylor, Kessler, Abraham - 0
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The 32-year-old will put his world title and unbeaten 25-fight (20 KOs) record on the line in the round-robin tournament which is set to begin in October.
Nottingham's Froch (pictured third from left), has signed up for the new concept along with Andre Dirrell, Arthur Abraham, Jermain Taylor, Andre Ward and WBA champion Mikkel Kessler.
Froch's first fight is against Dirrell in his home town of Nottingham on October 17 and 'The Cobra' believes his opponent will not live up to his own hype.
"Defending my title in the opening fight is a great way to get the tournament underway," Froch said.
"Dirrell brings the odd problem with his fast hands and quick feet, but he talks much better than he fights: he is out of his depth in this tournament.
"Dirrell got torn to pieces at the Olympics and now he is going to jump in the ring against me, The Cobra, for 12 rounds - how is he going to hide away for that long?
"He will be coming to Nottingham - the snake pit - and I am going to stick him in a corner, smash him against the ropes and ram my fist down his throat: he is certainly not going to enjoy it."
United States Olympic bronze medallist Dirrell believes he can overcome Froch comfortably and is happy the encounter will be his first.
"I begged to get Froch in my first fight," he said. "He's the guy I wanted; this is going to be my easiest fight.
"This is the fight where I'll show off and look my best, and that's a guarantee. I'll look my best there because he's just that easy to hit and he's slow.
"I will beat world champion after world champion and that in turn will make me the best out there. That's what I love about this tournament."
Froch is equally delighted with the format of the competition, which sees all six super-middleweight boxers facing the possibility of a match-up with any - and possibly all - five other contestants.
"The winner of this tournament will become an overnight global superstar, and so for me to win it, it would put me in the limelight massively," he said.
"I am undefeated and I will be looking to win every fight, but I will be approaching each contest with the aim of knocking my opponent out.
"I am the real deal, and Kessler and Abraham also believe they can make a big impact - Taylor is a living legend also, and so we will have the best fighters in the world all looking to be the last man standing."
Froch rejected suggestions he does not get the credit he is due - an assertion made by many in the sport who believe the Nottingham fighter remains underrated.
"People say I don't get the recognition I deserve, but I am too popular already: I cannot go shopping because of autographs and constant requests," he said. "I do not want to be any more popular than I already am.
"This tournament will give me what I am looking for in boxing, which is pure and simple greatness. I am not worried about money; I want to achieve greatness and worldwide recognition.
"My aim is to be the best, and this tournament brings all the top fighters together, so through this challenge I can become the best and achieve everything I want."
In the first phase of the event, each fighter will face three different opponents over the next 12 months in a points-based competition, with an extra point awarded for a knockout. A win is worth two points, a draw one, with no points for a loss.
The four leading points scorers advance to the semi-finals, with the top-ranked boxer facing the one in fourth, and second facing third.
The winners will meet in early 2011 for the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic trophy.
