By Richard Hookham

Froch is aiming to tee up a clash with Joe Calzaghe

Carl Froch's stunning uppercut to floor Brian Magee in London on Friday was a reminder of his undoubted potential.

The "Cobra" defended his British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles and then insisted he was ready to move up the career ladder.

European and world title shots are next, he hopes. And maybe even a future showdown with IBF and WBO title-holder Joe Calzaghe.

But there were warning signs in his brawl with Magee that Froch must first address before he steps up in class.

At domestic level, the 28-year-old Nottingham stylist can usually compensate for his flamboyant low-arm stance because he has the manoeuvrability and counter-punching strength to get him out of trouble.

But as he begins to take on more experienced fighters he will need to remember the old adage that the first rule of the ring is to protect yourself at all times.

Seasoned Belfast warrior Magee, the former IBO champion, was certainly happy to remind him.

It was a tough fight and if it looked like I was enjoying it, I was Carl Froch

The 30-year-old was never going to allow Froch to showboat and served up some stinging trademark lefts that clearly had Froch in trouble.

The Irishman's awkward southpaw stance enabled him to land a consistent barrage of shots which were starting to take their toll.

Indeed, the judges' scorecards had Magee just one round behind when he was finally seen off by Froch's stabbing right uppercut halfway through the 11th round.

Magee's verdict: "It was a good performance by Froch and he got the job finished well.

"But a few times I caught him and thought I was going to get him. But he came back."

Froch would do well to heed those words because against a more illustrious southpaw - namely Calzaghe - he could be cruelly exposed.

"I don't think that was my hardest fight so far, but it was a good one to get out of the way. I think I learned a lot," Froch told the BBC.

That ring is my office, my place of work and I love it in there Carl Froch

"This fight will have done me the world of good. I know there are things I will have to work on but it's all good experience."

While Froch admits he needs to tighten up in certain areas, he also hinted that what you see is what you get.

"That ring is my office. It's my place of work and I love it in there," he said.

"Magee was a good test for me. I've been sparring with southpaws leading up to this and I felt I handled most of what he was throwing at me.

"It was a tough fight and if it looked like I was enjoying myself in there I was. Now I really believe I can push on from this."

With his growing band of vociferous supporters and TV exposure, Froch's bandwagon is seemingly in full throttle as he extended his unbeaten record to 19 fights, 15 inside the distance.

But he would do well to regroup before contemplating the next level.

Against Magee, Froch demonstrated that he has the raw power to flatten the hardiest of fighters.