Froch wary of hometown bias

Carl Froch's WBC belt is on the line on Saturday © Getty Images

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Carl Froch has admitted to having slight concerns about having to fight Mikkel Kessler in Denmark, but expects the credibility of the WBC to ensure there is no hometown bias.

The Nottingham man puts his WBC super-middleweight title on the line in Herning on Saturday and admits the thought of bias is "at the back of your mind".

Froch beat Jermain Taylor in the United States with a 12th-round stoppage a year ago, so is aware of what is required to win on the road, but admits he would prefer to fight on home shores.

"It's not ideal that it is in Denmark, as a lot of people have pointed out already," he said. "I don't see why it shouldn't be, but hometown decisions, close rounds going to the host and all that...I'm not looking for it to go to points anyway but I'm putting a lot of trust in the WBC, the governing body sanctioning the fight, that they are going to stay honourable, as they are, and make sure that the best man wins.

"That's all I'm looking for. I'm not worried that it's away from home in Denmark. It shouldn't be on my mind really but it is, a little bit, because people keep highlighting it. There are people saying 'you've got to knock him out to win'...they are saying I haven't got a fair crack at it.

"I'm going out there as champion, so to have to go and knock somebody out is ridiculous.

"But it is at the back of your mind. I'm putting my trust in the officiating, the referee being neutral and the judges scoring it fairly and correctly. Which may or may not happen. We'll have to see."

Froch also has concerns over his fitness ahead of the fight but insists he is in perfect shape to continue his quest for the Super Six title.

"I'm never ever 100% for any fight," Froch said. "I've fought with a torn cruciate ligament against the doctor's advice, I've fought with a broken hand twice because I knew the operation would put me out for seven or eight months so I had injections in my hand.

"I've fought with a broken rib and that was a world title fight, so going into a fight with a bit of a niggle or an injury is no big deal. If I'd have pulled out of every fight for an injury I wouldn't be a world champion now and I would have missed out on about eight or nine fights."

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