• Super-middleweight

Warren claims Froch running scared of Cleverly

Carl Froch beat Mikkel Kessler at the weekend © PA Photos

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Frank Warren has claimed Carl Froch took less than 30 minutes to reject an offer to fight Nathan Cleverly.

Froch is a boxer in focus at present following his win over Mikkel Kessler last week and he has fighters queuing up to get in the ring with him.

'The Cobra' wants a rematch with Andre Ward to avenge the defeat he suffered in 2011, while the likes of George Groves and James DeGale are keen on a big domestic fight.

Welshman Cleverly is in the latter bracket and he and Froch have been involved in a bit of verbal sparring of late.

Warren promotes Cleverly's fights and he claims to have put a £2.5 million offer to Froch, which he says was swiftly rejected. Warren is of the opinion that the deal was turned down because Froch does not want to step into the ring with the unbeaten Cleverly.

"Last week, I made Team Froch a written offer of £2.5million to challenge WBO light-heavy king 'Clev' at a compromise weight of 12st 4lb," Warren wrote in his column in the Sun. "Even though Froch's IBF and WBA super-middle belts would not be at stake, The Cobra rejected one of the biggest paydays of his career, barely half an hour after the offer was made!

"Pity. It would have given Froch, a career super-middle, a gilt-edged chance to strengthen his legacy and style himself as a two-weight champ.

"Make no mistake, champion Cleverly, who began his career down at welterweight, is prepared to make the greater sacrifices.

"Dropping weight is much more precarious than adding it.

"Physically, there is little to split them. Nathan is half an inch taller while Carl has a fractionally longer reach.

"It would come down to who is the better fighter. I sense Froch knows the answer, hence his reluctance!

"The pair have been embroiled in a few spicy exchanges via social media after Nathan aided Mikkel Kessler's prep for his rematch with Froch. There is no better way for prizefighters to settle a score than between the ropes.

"But sadly for fans, Froch is refusing to step up."

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