28.03.07 – Carl Froch is a man on a world title mission. Rather than sit back and bask in the glory of his devastating punch perfect win over world operator Sergey Tatevosyan at the weekend, the Nottingham puncher has called on the Russian’s countryman Dennis Inkin to meet him in a final eliminator. British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion Froch, boxing in front of his loyal hometown fans at the Nottingham Arena, became the first ever to stop Tatevosyan after flooring him with a spectacular right hook in the second round. Tatevosyan beat the count, but was rescued shortly after whilst under a barrage of punches from the merciless ‘Cobra’..
The win cements his place in the world top two. He was already ranked at #3 by the WBO and WBC but Lucian Bute – who was ranked above him in both – was taken the distance last time out by Tatevosyan and has opted to contest a final eliminator for the IBF championship.
With Bute out of the picture, Froch is set to move up and become the #2 contender for the WBO Championship held by his long-term rival Joe Calzaghe. Only Inkin would remain above him.
Froch, however, holds the whip hand over Inkin with the WBC, whose rankings he is set to top. Previous #1 Andrade has just been beaten in his mandatory challenge to champion Mikkel Kessler, whilst Bute was at #2 and Inkin #4.
“I get the feeling Inkin is hoping to sit and wait in his #1 slot with the WBO and get a nice, easy, straight shot at the title,” began Froch. “But I’m afraid, Dennis, that you are going to have come through me.
“I am right on your case. We are going to be #1 and #2 for both the WBC and WBO titles. To find the mandatory there needs to be a final eliminator. Calzaghe’s next defence is due soon. Let’s cut out the rubbish and do it for both titles.
“I’m challenging you to meet me in an old-school fight between two undefeated bangers.
“Don’t swerve me at all costs like Bute has. It was looking like him and me in a WBC final eliminator, but he has gone another route. His team knew I was contracted to box last week so I couldn’t fight an IBF eliminator.
“Don’t look for the easy option and play the ratings game. You’re 29-0 with 23 KO’s; I’m 21-0 with 17 KO’s. We are the highest rated contenders, so let’s do things the proper way.
“You beat me as an amateur. You got a good win on points in an England-Russia International. But don’t forget, in the last round I put you down heavily and only the bell saved you. I want the opportunity to do the job properly this time. I’m going to knock you out.”