Barney was Froch's biggest test to date

But it was a frustrating night for hometown fighter Froch against the defensive specialist from Southampton.

Froch was in control throughout but took some good shots from Barney as the challenger fought on the retreat.

But Froch started to find his target from round nine and the referee scored the fight 118-110 in his favour.

Froch admitted he had struggled to settle into a clear rhythm against his awkward opponent.

"He came here to survive and make me look bad and spoil me, and to a certain extent he managed to do that," said the 28-year-old.

He did tire me out a little bit but I'm a fighter not a wrestler Carl Froch

"I also had to be careful with my right hand because it's very sore, but it was a good learning fight and I probably won't fight anyone in my whole career who is as negative as that.

"Nobody wants to fight Matthew Barney because of what you saw here, he's awkward, he runs, he comes to hold.

"I don't think he made me look too terrible. He did tire me out a little bit but I'm a fighter not a wrestler. I don't come to mess around, I come to stand and trade punches.

"He didn't allow me to do that but I got some good punches off and I nearly stopped him."

Froch is now unbeaten in 16 encounters and chasing a fight with Wales' WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe or former world champion Robin Reid.