22.11.06 – British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion Carl Froch – who meets long-term rival Tony Dodson in a real grudge match on Friday 24th November live on Sky Sports – has issued a call to arms to the people of Nottingham. “I want the people of Nottingham to march with me to the world title. I want them there every step of the way as I do what nobody else from Nottingham has ever done before – win a genuine world championship,” said Froch., who also made history as an amateur by becoming the first ever British fighter to win a world senior amateur championships medal.
“Being the first from Nottingham to win a big world title would be a major achievement when you consider the talent from the area in the past; guys like David Needham, Wally Swift, Kirkland Laing and Herol Graham, (Newark).
“I’m happy to go wherever I have to in order to do that. I will go and beat the top fighters in their own backyards, but I would rather do it at a sold out Nottingham Arena.”
‘The Cobra’ is confident that, given the team behind him, his destiny will be played out in front of a home crowd.
“My promoter Mick Hennessy has the ability to bring the best fighters in the world to the Nottingham Arena,” he added. “Everyone has always got behind me. With an extra push I think something really big can happen. I’m sure we could get WBC champion Mikkel Kessler to the Arena.”
The 29-year-old deserves support. In his 19 fights to date he has won and defended both the British and Commonwealth titles, winning a total of 7 championship fights in outstanding fashion. Last time out he became the first to ever to stop world-class contender Brian Magee, flooring him twice in the process with heavy right uppercuts.
His performances have earned him a number 3 ranking with the WBC; the most respected governing body in the sport.
“My ranking shows to everyone that I am one of the best in the world now,” he added. “Hopefully that will encourage even more people to turn out and support me. If I was ranked number thee in tennis or Formula 1, everyone would be going mad. I’m in the hardest sport going.”
Froch does boast a significant profile for a boxer. He has headlined on Sky on several occasions and is one of the country’s biggest ticket sellers. The fight against Dodson will be the best attended yet.
“There is a lot of interest in this fight around Nottingham,” he said. “I think it’s because there’s a bit of history there. Dodson has pulled out on me three times now.”
Victory for Froch will see him win the Lonsdale belt ‘Outright’. The two-times former senior ABA champion can see no other outcome.
“This fight has come all wrong for Dodson,” Froch, trained by Robert McCracken, continued. “His best chance was 18-months ago when he was British champion and was meant to defend against me – even then he would have stood no chance.
“Now he is coming up against a fighter who has won British and Commonwealth titles and is ranked number three by the WBC. He is coming up against one of the best fighters in the world.
“He is telling anyone who will listen that he is going to win, that he is going to knock me out. But I promise the people of Nottingham that he is the one who is getting taken out – and in style.”
The Hennessy Sports ‘Outright’ promotion, headlined by Carl Froch vs. Tony Dodson, takes place at the Nottingham Arena on Friday November 24th. Tickets priced £25-£80 are available on 0870 121 0123. For a full bill and more information please visit www.HennessySports.com.