 Froch could fight for a world title before the end of the year |
The bad news keeps on coming for Carl Froch's rivals in boxing's super middleweight division. No-one had stopped Sergey Tatevosyan in 34 outings until Nottingham's finest nailed the Russian with a huge right in the second round last Friday.
And, future opponents take note, this time Froch was in the zone from the first bell, which he admits hasn't always been the case despite his 21-0 record (17 by knockout).
"I was properly mentally switched on and focused because Tatevosyan's a good opponent who's been in with some top fighters," Froch told BBC Sport.
"I've had a tendency to mentally switch off a little bit and think 'I'll win this no problem', and then I start slowly."
When he defended his British and Commonwealth titles against Tony Dodson in November, the Liverpudlian bossed the opening round before Froch stopped him in the third.
"Dodson landed a couple of rights over the top early on when I was being a bit lackadaisical, like I can be, feeling my way into it," he recalled.
 | I'm at the stage now where I've got the pedigree, I've got the confidence, I've got some good wins on my record. Put me in there with anybody |
"But with Tatevosyan, I wasn't going to give him an inch, I wanted him to know he was in with somebody who wasn't going to let him get going. "I just didn't want him to get into any rhythm at all, so everything I did I made sure I did it properly. I raised my game and was sharp from the start.
"I was surprised to catch him so early in the fight, but not surprised it was all over when I did.
"I know that if I catch anyone flush on the chin, no matter who they are, they're going to be in trouble."
But making the experienced Tatevosyan look like a novice may work against Froch as he closes in on a world title fight.
Do any of the super middleweight belt-holders - Joe Calzaghe (WBO), Mikkel Kessler (WBA and WBC) or Alejandro Berrio (IBF) - really want to take him on?
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Froch, 29, says he is ready to meet any of that trio tomorrow, but he and promoter Mick Hennessy are prepared to be patient. Potentially, though, he is one win away from becoming a mandatory challenger for Calzaghe or Kessler's crowns.
Froch wants that contest to be an eliminator against another unbeaten fighter, Russia's Denis Inkin (29-0, 23 KOs), who beat him on points as an amateur.
"It's not something I bear a grudge about, but it would be nice to beat him," he said. "I've got a big punch and I think his chin is a bit ropey."
Froch's main goal is a British 'super fight' against Calzaghe, who makes a record-equalling 20th world title defence against American Peter Manfredo on 7 April in Cardiff.
 Calzaghe has so far refused to rise to Froch's baiting |
The Welsh great has long been the subject of fighting talk from Froch aimed at getting him into the ring, and the younger fighter is not a man to give up easily. "I don't blame him for wanting to earn a few quid against Manfredo - he's just turned 35, he's got a couple of kids, he had an expensive divorce," he said.
"If I was in his position I'd probably be doing the same thing, but I'm a proud warrior and if he's the same he should be calling me out."
Froch turns 30 in July but believes he plenty of time to achieve his world title ambitions - with or without a fight against Calzaghe.
"People tell me I'm getting on a bit, but I didn't turn pro until I was approaching 25. I've had 21 fights and I think I've been hit 21 times," he joked.
"I'm at the stage now where I've got the pedigree, I've got the confidence, I've got some good wins on my record. Put me in there with anybody."
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