Froch: Dirrell doesn't worry me
WBC super-middleweight champion Carl Froch has laughed off any suggestions that unbeaten American star Andre Dirrell has got under his skin ahead of their opening round Super Six clash in Nottingham on October 17.
Dirrell boasted that Froch would be his "easiest fight" in the groundbreaking new series which also includes WBA champ Mikkel Kessler, IBF middleweight champ Arthur Abraham, former undisputed middleweight title holder Jermain Taylor and Olympic gold medallist Andre Ward.
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Carl Froch
Froch will enjoy home advantage for the bout at the Trent FM Arena in Nottingham with tickets for the event going on sale next week and he says all the pressure will be on Dirrell to back up his words when he arrives in the UK.
"I've heard all that kind of talk before so it doesn't bother me," said Froch. "It's Dirrell who has to worry about backing up that big talk. I actually believe he's quite nervous about the series so he's trying to talk himself up.
"When he turned up at the media tour last week, I think the realisation of what he'd got himself into actually hit home and I think he was a little overawed.
"If he's nervous getting his photo taken alongside the likes of World Champions like myself and Mikkel Kessler, how's he going to feel when he actually has to step into the ring with us?
"He's got a decent amateur pedigree and he's done well as a pro so far but he's about to step up to a whole new level now. Most of the other guys in this tournament are proven, elite level fighters but Dirrell is still untested so it's up to him to prove he belongs at this level.
"He's unbeaten obviously so he has that confidence and mentality of a fighter who doesn't believe they can be beaten but he's forgetting that I'm unbeaten as well so I have that same confidence and mentality."
Dirrell has accused Froch of being too slow and easy to hit but the Nottingham man has watched Dirrell in action and says he sees nothing to worry him.
"I've seen enough to know what he's about. I'm not going to lose too much sleep over him.
"He's got fast hands but I don't see any evidence that he's a big puncher."
2 Comments
by Darren Lycett, Nottingham
Friday, July 24 2009, 3:11PM
“Froch will knock him out for sure. Dirrell does have fast hands maybe even faster than Taylor but Froch wont make a slow start like he did against Taylor. I dont think Dirrell will handle Frochs power so a 5th round stoppage is my prediction! The only chance Dirrell has is if it goes all the way as he will probably land more punches than Froch but Frochs will be most damaging!”
by KO in round 8/9, you heard it here first
Friday, July 24 2009, 6:24AM
“Direll has'nt got enough experience for this. He certainly does'nt have the amount of experience it takes to earn the right to talk like he's talking. A show of respect wouldnt have gone amiss for the company he'll be keeping. Nevermind though, the ring is where the real respect is earned and shown and when he's getting knocked bandy all over it, that'll be the kind of experience he'll feel he could do without. Has'nt travelled outside of his own country before, and if Carl rams those words back down his throat, probably wont travel again. Do him Carl. Launch him.”