• Super-middleweight

Froch feels there's lots left in tank

Carl Froch was an easy winner over Yusaf Mack last year © PA Photos

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Carl Froch feels he has a good couple of years left in him, as he gears up for his IBF super-middleweight title fight with Mikkel Kessler.

'The Cobra' is looking to avenge the defeat he suffered at the hands of Kessler in 2010 and is now stepping up his training regime for a fight that will take place in London on May 25.

Froch has been taking some punishment in sparring and is nursing a stiff neck, but he says it is not anything to worry about and he is hungry for revenge against the Dane.

"I have started sparring and when you are sparring you are getting hit with shots, I have got a bit if whiplash, so once you do that the reality kicks in that you are going to be fighting in a couple of months," Froch told Sky Sports News. "It is starting to get serious now.

"When it's 12 or 13 weeks out it is at a steady pace, getting adjusted, but now the runs are hard and I am breathing heavy and there is a bit of extra energy."

On his neck complaint, Froch said: "I have a bit of a sore neck. I am sparring with a guy who is 6ft 5in with a long jab so I can't seem to get out of the way. Hopefully I will find it easier to hit Kessler than this guy."

Since losing to Kessler, Froch has won four and lost one (to Andre Ward). He feels he is a better fighter than three years ago and is ready to keep his career moving forward.

"At 35, people say I am getting on but I feel in my prime," he said. "I did not turn pro until I was 25, I have not taken much punishment. I can get out of the way of punches, I have a long reach and I feel there is a good 18 months to two years left in this old steam engine."

And issuing a warning to Kessler, Froch said: "I have lost to Mikkel Kessler and I need to beat him and when I meet him on May 25th, I am seriously gunning for him. I am going for a stoppage.

"I know the first time I was not 100% and still nearly beat him. This time things will be different; I am on the crest of a wave. I am feeling strong."

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