CARL Froch is relishing going toe-to-toe with Mikkel Kessler as he prepares to defend his WBC super-middleweight title in Denmark on April 24.

He cannot wait for a proper bout, after his last defence against hit-and-run American Andre Dirrell at Nottingham Arena.

On that night, Froch edged a points victory in his opening bout in the SuperSix Series after the American adopted a negative approach.

It was a far cry from the brutal battle against Jean Pascal when he won the title or the dramatic 12th round stoppage of Jermain Taylor in his first defence.

"It will be an all-action, toe- to-toe fight," said Froch. "If not in the early stages then certainly later on.

"We will stand in front of each other trading blows rather than being a coward like Dirrell, running and holding and squealing to the referee.

"Kessler is going to be coming to fight and I always bring that to the table. So the fans can expect an exciting fight.

"Mikkel Kessler is proven at world level. He is fit and strong, on the weight already like myself.

"He is coming off the back of a loss against another world class fighter and I think we are going to see the best of Mikkel.

"He is now fighting for a world title, straight after losing his world title.

"It is unheard of in boxing but because of the nature of the Super Six, he has been given the opportunity now to step back in with the WBC super-middleweight champion.

"He will be taking this very seriously. He is going to be in the shape of his life so I have to be on my A-game and focused, which I am."