• Super-middleweight

Froch: Kessler is a man, Ward is a spoiler

Carl Froch will not rule out a third bout with Mikkel Kessler © PA Photos

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Newly unified super-middleweight champion Carl Froch has laid the gauntlet down to unbeaten Andre Ward, stating the American has become "too big for his boots" and questioned his bottle to fight in England.

Since inflicting revenge on Mikkel Kessler in their classic rematch at London's O2 Arena on Saturday, the 'Cobra' has turned his attention to avenging the only other defeat on his record; his 2011 Atlantic City loss to Ward.

However, Froch believes that it is only 'fair' that Ward takes up the challenge and travels to box on British shores.

"I would rematch with Andre Ward, but he's been a little bit big for his boots lately," Froch told Sky Sports News. "He wants me to go over to America and he thinks that he's calling all the shots.

"He's got to realise I'm WBA champion and IBF champion and if he wants the title, then come and win one from the champion.

"I think it's fair [if Ward comes to the UK]. I'm champion. I've got the IBF title and the WBA title, Andre Ward has not got a belt. He's an American and I boxed him in America.

"I'm British - now come and fight me in the United Kingdom so it's one apiece, to level up the odds. If he's not prepared to travel to England, then I think that tells you something. I think it's a fair thing to ask for him to come over here."

Froch, 35, admitted that Ward's style is difficult to face and not the most entertaining to watch, and stated he would rather box Kessler in a third, deciding bout - something that promoter Eddie Hearn also cited as a realistic possibility.

"Andre Ward's a spoiler and a messer," Froch said. "He tricks his way through a fight and gets the win effectively but not very entertaining and it's a horrible fight to be involved in.

"With Mikkel Kessler, I know that if I turn up I'm going to get somebody in front of me who is going to try and win and try and give me a fight and that's the sort of fight that I want to be involved in.

"Mikkel Kessler is a man's man, Andre Ward is a spoiler and it's as simple as that. I'd like a rematch with Kessler, but one step at a time.

"It's one each now, so maybe the decider is on the horizon. I'm not sure if Mikkel Kessler would want a third one, but his style of fighting and my style of fighting makes for a great fight. I would rather fight someone like him than fight Andre Ward."

Hearn had also hinted at a possible all-Brit clash between Froch and unbeaten George Groves to take place in summer 2014, but the Nottingham fighter was quick to dismiss his compatriot's chances.

"If I boxed George Groves now I'd probably knock him out in two or three rounds," Froch said. "He needs to fight at the top level, someone who is ranked in the top ten in the world. He's not boxed anyone outside the top fifteen in the world yet.

"Until he does that, box someone in the top fifteen in the world at least, then I'm not going to take him seriously."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.