• Boxing

Froch to Ward: Cut no excuse, I'm always injured

Andre Ward postponed his fight with Carl Froch due to a cut © Fight Camp 360/Showtime

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Ward in danger of 'disgracing' himself - Froch
  
• News: Ward tears into 'very arrogant' Froch
  
• News: Froch's Super Six final re-arranged for December 17
  
• News: Froch promoter blasts 'unprofessional' Ward
  
• News: Froch title fight postponed due to Ward injury
  
• Profile: Carl Froch

Carl Froch has told Andre Ward not to use his cut eye as an excuse if he suffers defeat in the Super Six final, which has been rescheduled for December 17.

WBA king Ward and WBC champion Froch were set to go toe-to-toe in October, but the bout was postponed when Ward cut his eye during sparring.

After learning of the disruption, Froch's promoter Eddie Hearn suggested that the fight may take place during March, allowing Froch to squeeze in a battle at short notice during November.

However, Froch is relieved that he will finally get his hands on Ward before 2011 is out. "Good news it's on before Christmas, although it's very close," Froch told Sky Sports. "Although I'm at my peak fitness, I need to ease off for a week, ten days and then get back on the case. It's a long old camp, but I'll be ready.

"He can't be blaming a cut on the eye. Five weeks to heal a cut is ample. I'll be looking to cut him anyway in round one. He uses his head a lot, so maybe it'll calm him down a lot. No excuses - no fighter gets in the ring 100% injury-free anyway. I'm always injured, no need to get the violins out."

Meanwhile, Froch is continuing to mention Joe Calzaghe as a potential name for what he hopes will be a celebratory homecoming fight at the City Ground in April 2012. However, with Calzaghe showing no signs of ending his retirement, IBF champion Lucian Bute looks a more likely option.

"After Ward there's a unification fight with Lucian Bute," Froch said. "He's hiding but he can't hide for much longer. There's a rematch with Mikkel Kessler, Bernard Hopkins, he'll probably still be hanging around - that's a big, big fight. You never know, the kid from Wales, Calzaghe might come out of retirement."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.