International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch (29-2, 21 KOs) has warned challenger Yusaf Mack (31-4, 17 KOs) that he will pay for his pre-fight jibes when the pair meet Saturday, headlining the “True Brit” pay-per-view event (in the U.S.), live from Nottingham, United Kingdom.
Mack appeared live on Ringside after the first press conference for the clash and called Froch, “a fake Joe Calzaghe.” The pair came face-to-face again at yesterday’s press conference at the Capital FM Arena, and “The Cobra” told the challenger that he will “face his wrath” in his ninth consecutive World title fight.
“I was just letting him know that he said too much when my back was turned and it might be inside his mind that I’m a bit wound up,” said Froch, a huge 1-18 favorite by Betfair to retain the title and 1-4 to do so inside the distance. “I just wanted him to know he talked a load of rubbish on Ringside about Joe Calzaghe, but he probably spoke without thinking, so I put him right on that.
“I have to put on a good performance, be strong, sharp and confident, put my work together and put educated pressure on him because he could be dangerous. He’s not a big and tall light heavyweight, so he could be better at super middleweight. I’m not taking anything for granted and I am making sure that I do my work right and that will be enough to defend my title in style.”
Mack is a big 15-1 underdog with Betfair to claim Froch’s IBF crown but the Philadelphian is confident that he has “The Cobra” rattled and he will be able to use that to shock the world.
“I got under his skin with the Calzaghe comment and I hope that’s to my advantage on the night,” Mack added. “On Saturday, I’m going to prove that I’m ready for this fight. I’ve lived in the gym and I’ve given myself the chance to show that I am the fighter I can be. I really believe I’m going to be taking the belt home.
“I haven’t come to fight the crowd. I’ll block them out on Saturday and I have nothing to prove to them. Froch has the pressure to impress them, not me; he’s said he’s going to knock me out so the pressure is on him to do that. When I’m still standing there after the sixth round, when people think I’m going to tire, what’s he going to do? I don’t fade and he can’t beat me.”
“True Brit,” presented by Matchroom Boxing, will be distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 PM/ET – 12:00 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
