• Carl Froch v Yusuf Mack

Froch flattens criticism of Mack pick

ESPN staff
August 29, 2012
Carl Froch blew away Lucian Bute in his most recent fight © Getty Images
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IBF super-middleweight champion Carl Froch insists next opponent Yusaf Mack is "fighting for his life", and as a result will provide a sterner test than has been anticipated.

Mack, who came up short against Tavoris Cloud last year in his only previous attempt at a world title, has been dismissed as a stay-busy bout for Froch ahead of a rematch with Lucian Bute next year.

But Froch maintains that Mack, normally a light-heavyweight, has a history of raising his level of performance when competing in high-class company.

"You have to remember Yusaf Mack is fighting Carl Froch, so he's going to turn up 25% better than when he fights anybody else," Froch told the Daily Star. "He's got to come to my backyard, but it is his world-title fight. He has to make sure he's in the best possible shape, turns up and gives a career-best performance.

"He's fighting for his life, so I have to make sure I prepare meticulously to get myself in the same shape I was when I challenged Lucian Bute for the world title."

Bute has been looking down different roads after being blasted away by Froch earlier this year - and there is a possibility their second meeting could be at light-heavyweight.

"You never know, we might meet at light-heavyweight, even though I can't see myself stepping up to light-heavyweight in the near future," Froch said.

"That's because I do super-middleweight so easily. But if he talks about doing it at a catchweight, then you never know. That fight may be made a bit higher. I'm ready for him, whatever he brings."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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