Froch will be too fit for Kessler

Nottingham Evening Post29th March, 2010

SUPER-FIT world champion Carl Froch believes his clean living lifestyle will provide the perfect platform for him to knockout Mikkel Kessler.

The Cobra is already in fight shape, four weeks before he defends his WBC title in Denmark.

He puts it down to being the perfect professional and says he does not need to carry the burden of having to lose weight.

The Nottingham fighter showed off his physique alongside Olympic gold medallist James DeGale and bronze medallist Tony Jeffries at the Liberty Gym, in the city.

The trio were there to mark the 50th anniversary of Lonsdale, the renowned supplier of boxing attire.

And Froch said: "I never get too heavy before a fight, about 12st 7lb tops. I am walking around at about 12st 2lb, 12st 3lb and I think it is important to be on the weight and training and performing at the weight you are going to fight at.

"It is pointless coming in at 13 stone at six to eight weeks before hand, ask your body to take a stone off and then fight for 12 rounds.

"It is hard, hard work and too much for the body so I have the discipline that I am a 12-stone fighter. I train, spar and fight at 12-stone.

"You saw when I stood there with James DeGale and Tony Jeffries and we took our tops off, you saw the one who was in (the best) shape. I am fighting in four weeks but they are not fighting long after me.

"That's how I am, I am a very consummate professional and strict with my diet. I eat well, I have the Eastern European gene, my grandparents are Polish. So that helps with the weight-making, genetically I am gifted in that area."

Froch's fight in Herning on Saturday April 24 will see him defend the WBC title for a third time. He won it back in 2008 against Jean Pascal before travelling to the USA to beat former champion Jermain Taylor.

In the opening match of the Super Six Boxing Classic Series, he beat Andre Dirrell and now faces Kessler in the second set of fights.

"It is all about getting myself into super fit shape, from my long-distance runs, my short runs and my sparring," said Froch.

"There is a fine line because if you spar too heavy and too much, you end up with injuries.

"I banged my elbow and there is swelling and quite a bad bruise.

"I couldn't straighten my arm but this week I can get back on it. You have to be careful."

Andrew Dirrell picked up two welcome points after he beat Arthur Abraham on an 11th round disqualification in Detroit.

Abraham landed a blow after Dirrell had slipped over one of the advertising logos.

Dirrell now has to meet fellow American Andre Ward.

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