• Super-middleweight

Froch chasing Ward or Kessler in 2013

ESPN staff
November 18, 2012
Carl Froch was dominant against Yusaf Mack © Getty Images
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Carl Froch has set his sights on avenging the only two defeats of his professional career after demolishing Yusaf Mack on Saturday.

Froch, 35, retained his IBF super-middleweight title with ease in Nottingham at the weekend, stopping his over-matched American opponent in the third round with a thunderous body shot.

'The Cobra' is now keen to get his next fight booked, with a mandatory defence against challenger Adonis Stevenson and a contractually-obligated rematch with Lucien Bute - the man he beat to claim his world title in May - both hanging over him.

Depending on which of those two fighters he faces next, Froch is then desperate to get Mikkel Kessler and Andre Ward in the ring - as he believes he is better placed than ever to beat the only two men who have ever bested him inside the ring.

"I think I'm at my peak physically now and I can put it right against Kessler and put it right against Ward," Froch said. "I will be ready to fight again in March, whether it's against Bute or Adonis Stevenson. I haven't got time to waste."

On the Mack fight, Froch added: "The stoppage came earlier than I expected but I don't think he was absolutely dead at the weight. The 12 weeks of training produced the result and I made it look easy.

"I believe a fight is won or lost before you step through the ropes. For the fight against Ward, I lost my focus three or four days before the fight so I had lost before it started. But in the last two fights I have switched on mentally for the fight."

Froch's promoter, Eddie Hearn, will now be tasked with plotting Froch's next move. Hearn hinted that Bute will perhaps decline his option of a rematch - paving the way for Froch to face Stevenson before attempting to lure Ward or Kessler to a blockbuster fight in the United Kingdom next summer.

"I spoke to Lucian Bute's promoter this week and I just can't see them willing to take the fight after that performance from Carl but contractually we are obliged to go through with it," Hearn said.

"We have also got to face Adonis Stevenson in a mandatory defence and if we fight Bute next we will have to ask the IBF for an extension on that fight.

"It will be Bute or Stevenson next, followed by Kessler and Ward. I really think Ward would come to the UK and we could do it at an open air football stadium next summer."

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