Carl Froch says he’s feeling confident ahead of his fight with George Groves.
The champion, whose IBF and WBA super-middleweight belts are on the line in Manchester, admits he has become irritated by a perceived lack of respect from Groves in the weeks leading up to their huge world title fight.
Froch did not exude his usual detached calm at Friday’s weigh-in, whispering in his younger challenger’s ear as the pair went head-to-head for the benefit of a jam-packed press room.
But after a sound night’s sleep on the eve of the fight the 36-year-old, heading into his 11th straight world title contest, gave Sky Sports News a clear-headed assessment of the task at hand.
The Ringside pundits are joined by a number of guests from the world of boxing to preview Saturday’s big fight. $(document).ready(function() { getBC({‘con’:'#video3′,’ob’:'#video-id3′,’id’:’2860091686001′}); }); He said: “I’ve had a fantastic sleep – eight-and-a-half hours, which I don’t normally have. There was a riot going off in the next room, and my cornerman Mark was up patrolling the corridors like Charles Bronson at about 3.30, but I slept right through it. Happy days.
“I feel very confident. I’m apprehensive, a little bit nervous – it’s a big, big fight and I’ve got to take this kid seriously – as seriously as I can because he’s been quite petulant in the build-up.
“He’s been a horrible little child, so that’s obviously in my head. It’s a little bit irritating, but I’m taking this fight very, very seriously.
“As far as I’m concerned I’m in a top, top level world title fight and I’ll be taking it as such because if I take my foot off the gas or lose focus I’m not the dangerous fighting machine I need to be.
“As long as I’m switched on mentally I’ll do what I need to do, and I’m trying to hold focus and keep reminding myself this is a double world title fight against an unbeaten hungry kid.
“He’ll have a go at times, he’s going to punch back, and this is his big chance. Anyone in his position – with one chance – what are you going to do?
“But you’ve got to put it in context: he’s in against me, I’m firing on all cylinders and proven at world level. The right thing usually happens and should happen.
“On paper there’s only one winner, but I’m not taking that for granted – I’m turning up ready and George Groves is in serious trouble. He’s going to have to fight one hell of a fight just to stay with me, let alone win.
“Everyone should enjoy it – it’s going to be a cracker, a barnstormer, a humdinger as they say.”
Groves – a 10/3 outsider with Sky Bet – awoke on Saturday as confident as ever about his own chances of pulling off a shock victory.
He told Sky Sports News: “I’ve waited a long time for the chance to fight for a world title, and I’m not going to let this slip.
“I’m more than ready and capable of winning this fight, so there’ll be no excuses from me. I’m here to do a job and I can’t wait to get out there and do it.”
Watch Carl Froch v George Groves live on Sky Sports Box Office, November 23. Go to www.skysports.com/frochgroves for full details.
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Froch: I won't lose focus
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