New Year message from Carl Froch

Nottingham Evening Post Ray Yoemans13th January, 2010

YOU could say 2009 was a big year for me and my first as world champion, so before I kick on with 2010, I thought I would take time out to write to all my Nottingham faithful to show my appreciation for all your support.

Times are hard right now for many families in Nottingham and to see so many of you turn out at 3am to cheer me on against Andre Dirrell made me truly proud.

It's been great to go out and about into town to do my shopping and bump into well-wishers.

My mug must be on a few hundred camera phones by now! But I'm always happy to spend a moment with my fans, especially with the younger ones.

I'm from a big family and we are all very close, so I appreciate it when a mum or dad brings their child over for a photo or an autograph.

My next fight will be in Denmark against their sporting superstar, Mikkel Kessler.

It all went sour for him during his first fight of the SuperSix tournament.

Kessler flew to America to take on Andre Ward, in a messy fight which was stopped after Ward's head opened two bad cuts on the big-punching Dane.

The Danish media have been angry with the way their hero's trip to America panned out and I feel that Kessler will be a bigger threat to me now than before.

Kessler was the tournament favourite according to some bookies - and I will not be taking him lightly. But he is going to feel my wrath in Denmark on April 17.

The only thing yet to be concluded is the venue. There has been talk of it being in the MCH centre in Herning which is not really a tourist hotspot.

I've told my promoter that my travelling supporters need this fight to be staged in the beautiful city of Copenhagen. The airport is right next door and there are lots of bars, restaurants and things to do while they are over there. Flights are between £50-£100 return and the hotels are all a short taxi ride away.

Kessler is naturally left handed, but fights right-handed like myself and thus has a great left jab.

He is a big strong guy and can punch with either hand. He does nothing spectacular but everything he does, he does well.

The thought of fighting him in his home country spurs me on and I think that will be that extra motivation I need. Maybe his fans will think this is an edge for Kessler. But he is the one with the pressure, coming off a loss with a lot of expectation.

I boxed in Denmark as an amateur in a tournament called the Boxcup. I fought their best and strolled it. I was even named 'Fighter of the Tournament' much to the disappointment of David Haye, who was competing alongside me.

My last opponent, Andre Dirrell, is set to fight Arthur Abraham next.

I have a lot of respect for Abraham, who is a dignified fellow. Despite not speaking much English, he was good company in America when we were launching the SuperSix.

Dirrell is a fast, slippery, negative operator. The way he tried to run and steal a decision against me - and nearly managed it - was all that is boring in boxing.

When Haye boxed off the back foot against his opponent, he was giving away about a foot in height and about six stone!

Dirrell has no excuses as he was taller and heavier than me, yet fought like he was afraid to trade all night long.

If he adopts the same attitude against Abraham, I cannot see him getting any favours. Abraham keeps a very high defence and has an almost peek-a-boo style which Dirrell would struggle to land anything on.

Abraham comes to fight and his impressive knockouts of Jermain Taylor and Edison Miranda show that he can really whack. Will he be quick enough to catch Dirrell?

I get the feeling that their fight will be dull for long spells - and if a grand conclusion comes, it will be created by Abraham.

I'd like Dirrell to surprise everyone and come out offensive, but the few glancing shots I landed, rattled him badly. He was clinching like a koala to a eucalyptus tree if I so much as feinted a punch.

It would be a shame for Abraham and a shame for boxing if Dirrell used the same tactics to shade a very slim verdict.

Hopefully, if Abraham comes through his next fight unbeaten and I come through mine too, it will set up one of the most mouth-watering fights of the whole tournament.

Watch this space over the coming months as I tell you all about the training, the boxing scene and travel details for the Kessler trip.