Froch ready to pummel Kessler into retirement

Nottingham Evening Post19th February, 2010

CARL Froch is under no illusions about the threat posed by Mikkel Kessler, when he travels to his opponent's own backyard to defend his WBC Super-middleweight title.

After all, it is a belt that Danish superstar Kessler lost back in November 2007, along with his WBA belt, against Joe Calzaghe.

He regained the WBA title but following defeat to Andre Ward in the opening round of the innovate Super Six World Boxing Classic, he is without a belt and acting like a wounded animal.

It was only the second defeat of Kessler's 44-fight career but, thanks to the new format, he gets an immediate chance to fight for a world title in the form of Froch's prestigious WBC belt.

And as he pointed out at yesterday's press conference at the City Ground, his fans will see the Kessler of old, not the out of sorts one that lost to American Ward at the back end of last year.

He has swapped trainers and is now under the stewardship of Jimmy Montoya as he prepares for what he accepts is not only a big chance, but his last chance to regain a world title.

But unbeaten Froch has told Kessler that he will destroy him in Herning on Saturday, April 24, in front of 10,000 fans, the majority cheering on their Danish Viking warrior.

Froch went into Jermain Taylor's own territory for his first defence in America and succeeded with a dramatic 12th round stoppage and then saw off Andre Dirrell in his opening Super Six bout in Nottingham.

And despite having great respect for his opponent, Froch intends to pummel Kessler into retirement when they step into the ring in Denmark.

The Cobra said: "Will that last defeat make him more of a threat? It depends how he is mentally and, potentially, it could make him very dangerous after that loss.

"There is every chance he could come back better, stronger, fitter and more determined.

"My job is to make sure when the bell sounds for round one, I put heavy artillery on him and hit him hard and often.

"So whatever ideas he has in his head leading up to the fight, when he starts getting pounded with those heavy blows, the flashbacks from that last loss and the one to that Welsh fellow, I can't remember his name, will come flooding back. That for me is a positive thing.

"All I am thinking about is bringing my A-game to the table, being fit and strong and ready for action.

"I know what is expected of me and I know what I need to do. It does not matter where the ring is, the result is going to be the same.

"I am looking forward to putting Kessler into retirement.

"That might sound harsh but after the defeat he is going to suffer from me, he is going to have to seriously reconsider what he does for his pay cheque. After losing to Ward and a bad defeat to me, he will consider his future.

"This is a serious business, that world title is my livelihood and I am defending it.

"If somebody tries to steal your livelihood away from you, you will defend your castle and that is what I am doing."

The fight will be aired live on pay-per-view channel Primetime, starting at about 9.15pm British time. Tickets go on sale on Monday.

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