• Super-middleweight

Froch targeting Andre Ward rematch

Andre Ward is one of only two fighters to inflict defeat on Carl Froch © Getty Images

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Newly crowned WBA super-middleweight titlist and reigning IBF champion Carl Froch wants to continue regaining his boxing legacy by avenging defeat to Andre Ward.

Froch successfully inflicted revenge on Mikkel Kessler when scoring a unanimous decision victory at London's O2 Arena on Saturday, and has now turned his attention on WBA champion Ward; the only other fighter to mark the Cobra's card with a loss.

"For me to be given the chance to really set the record straight and finish my boxing career with a clean sheet by avenging my only two defeats would be unbelievable," Froch told Sky Sports News. "So that's one to look forward to that's for sure.

"Andre Ward is ranked number two pound-for-pound in the world. Over any fighter in any division, he's the second best fighter, the first one being Floyd Mayweather Jr. So he is very, very highly regarded by all governing bodies because his tricky, awkward style allows him to be effective and get the win.

"For me to have a rematch with him and to be given the opportunity to set the record straight - that's an opportunity I would relish and take with both hands. Myself and Rob McCracken would have to sit down and go through what the game plan would have to be tactically and do what we need to do to try and get the win.

"Andre Ward's not a big puncher. He's tricky and stylishly a nightmare. I've only got to catch him on the chin, I've only got to catch him with a couple of hard shots. With a different referee to the one we had first time around, who allowed him to sit on my chest and hold 11 or 12 time a round for 12 rounds, a ref that would break us up and say 'box' and make us fight - then he would have real, real trouble dealing with that.

"Let's get him over here, if he'll come over here. If he's serious about the fight, it would be fantastic. It would be the biggest fight in Britain since the Froch v Kessler rematch."

However undefeated American Ward, who was ringside during Froch's victory over Kessler as part of the HBO commentary team, appeared ambiguous to a rematch with the Nottingham-born fighter.

"At this stage in my career, I'm open to any fight that makes sense," Ward said. "If a rematch makes sense, I don't know if it would be in the UK or United States, but Froch's promoter needs to show me how bad he wants it.

"Froch has a big fan base here, but they have to understand that I don't have to come here. If I want to, it's because I want to reward the UK fans.

"Carl Froch respects me. He can say what he wants to say, he can say what he wants about me being effective (but not exciting). I have a great fan base. When you can't defeat a certain style, you tend to knock it."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.