IBF super middleweight champion Carl Froch demolished Yusaf Mack in just three rounds on Saturday night to retain his title in convincing fashion, roared on by an adoring Nottingham crowd.
Froch has enjoyed a 2012 to remember and can now aim to seek redemption against either Mikkel Kessler or Andre Ward next year, potentially in a summer super-fight at the City Ground.
Sports Mole spoke to the 'Cobra' at the post-fight press conference to get the thoughts of a British fighter at the peak of his powers.
Carl, is there any sense of frustration that you've put all that effort into a hard training camp to come up against an opponent that is basically just there to survive?
"Well no, I've got to get my body in condition for whoever is in front of me. If he'd [had] any success early on he would've got some confidence but I've took that away from him and didn't give him a chance to land that jab. I was catching him with heavy shots straight away. You can't say he's only there to survive because he's only ever lost to world champions. I've got to be professional enough to prepare as meticulously for him as I would anyone. There's no frustration there, it's just nice to come out unscathed."
After coming out of tonight with no injuries would you feel ready to make a quick return to the ring early in 2013?
"Potentially yes, but it's whether or not we could go straight back into training. When I have a week off now it's like starting again, fitness is a funny thing. I could be ready for early February or March if it makes sense opponent-wise. I'm at the stage of my career where I haven't got time to waste. I don't want to do anything stupid and jump in too early but physically I'd be ready. Tonight was quite straightforward for me so if the right fight could be found sooner rather than later I'd prefer that."
You predicted a knockout win but were you surprised with how quickly it came?
"Yes I was a bit surprised, it came a bit earlier than I thought it would. But having said that I was landing some heavy shots and he didn't move as much as I thought. If he's going to stand in front of me and take those shots he's in trouble. Not many people can take those shots, especially round the body. The 12 weeks of training I've put in for this fight brings the results. At this stage of my career I know I can read a fighter very well and do what I need to do."
We've got used to seeing you fight the toughest in the world and taking on all comers. How does tonight compare on a satisfaction level to some of those victories?
"I've done a 12-week camp that has been very difficult before tonight. I'm a big believer that the fight is won or lost before you step through the ropes. I'd lost the fight with Andre Ward before I got in the ring because mentally I wasn't switched on, I was drained. I won't let that happen again and I put that down to experience. Cometh the hour cometh the man is an old saying but that is what I do. I get myself focused and ready to do the right things, which I do now."
How much would you enjoy the chance to take on a Mikel Kessler or Andre Ward at the City Ground next summer?
"I think other than here at Capital FM Arena, fighting at Nottingham Forest's City Ground would be the next best thing, it would be just unbelievable. To get 40,000 people outdoors would be a different type of atmosphere and something special. I go to loads of Forest games and the atmosphere is brilliant. I go on the pitch and get a standing ovation, I'm received very well there. To be in the middle of there fighting someone like Kessler or Ward, I can only imagine what that would be like. It would be just phenomenal, for me it would be a career-defining fight. I'd rather do that than go to Las Vegas. The City Ground is the one so it's up to Eddie Hearn to get on it."
You've said you've learned to deal with different situations as you've matured as a fighter. Do you feel like there's still improvements to be made or are you at your peak?
"You're always learning, it would be ridiculous to say I haven't reached my peak because I'm 35. I think I'm in my peak physically because I know from targets, on times and runs and my strength and conditioning where I am. The recovery slows down as you get a bit older. As long you do the weight right, which I do, and recover properly before the fight you can deliver. I can fight for 12 rounds quite comfortably against anybody in the world, I've proven that time and time again.
"But mentally I've got better and better and I'm in my prime and ready for anyone. I've not won every single time but I've consistently fought the best and I don't get spectacularly knocked out like some of our British fighters that think they're superstars. I've lost close points decisions but I've gone back to the drawing board and put things right. I can put things right against Ward if I put the hard work in next year, I know I can."
Finally how do you react to Frank Warren's column this weekend in which he claimed you are not a British boxing great?
"If I was Frank I'd be ashamed of myself. Somebody like me doing what I'm doing, and he chooses to slag me off, it makes him look ridiculous. There's no need for it, he makes himself look bad. Get behind the British fighters, give them a gee-up. I'm not with him but there's no need for it. He had two chances to sign me and he blew it, get over it."
Liam Power
