• Super-middleweight

Froch determined to 'clean out' Kessler

ESPN staff
May 18, 2013
Carl Froch is determined to avoid a second loss to Mikkel Kessler © Getty Images
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Carl Froch has warned Mikkel Kessler he will be knocked out if their tussle goes beyond the eighth round.

The super-middleweights prepare to do battle at the O2 Arena on May 25, and IBF champion Froch feels he is a better fighter now than he was when he suffered a loss to Kessler three years ago.

"I feel I'm an all-round fighter now. I'm better offensively and defensively and mentally I'm very tough," Froch told Sky Sports News.

"Success breeds confidence, and I've had a lot of success of late at the top level. I'm ready to do the business and get redemption against Mikkel Kessler."

Froch - whose one of two career defeats was to Kessler - was beaten by a unanimous decision in April 2010 on Kessler's home territory, but Froch feels if the fight enters the latter stages he will have the strength to emerge victorious and avoid a second loss to the WBA title holder.

"Physically and mentally I'm switched on, [I will] do what I know I can do," he said.

"It's still just going to be as brutal and vicious, but I think as the fight goes on into round eight, nine, ten, then it's the championship rounds ten, 11 and 12, that's when I can take over, clean him out and knock him out or force a late stoppage."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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