Froch finally gets world tilt - and it's on ITV by Ian McNeilly Sep 22nd 2008

Two top class super-middleweights are set to put their respective unbeaten records on the line in a battle for the WBC belt - and it will be live, at a decent hour, on British terrestrial telly. Hurrah! Carl “The Cobra” Froch (23-0, 19 KO's) squares off against Montreal, Quebec's Jean Pascal (21-0, 14 KO's), on December 6th, at the Trent FM Arena, in Froch's hometown of Nottingham. The fight is presented by Hennessy Sports, in association with Groupe Yvon Michel, and will be shown live in England on ITV1. “I'm very excited at the prospect of facing a top fighter like Pascal for the WBC belt. It's something I've waited my entire career for,” said Froch, who endured a year of disappointment after potential big-name opponents decided to avoid the Cobra's bite. “Big credit for Pascal for taking the fight. I've had two so-called superstars flat out run from me this year in Joe Calzaghe, and Jermain Taylor. But Jean Pascal stepped up, and on December 6th, you're going to have two undefeated fighters in their primes fighting for a world title. “It doesn't get any better than that.” But despite the frustration of having big fights disappear in front of his eyes, Froch is ready to turn the page on an aggravating chapter in his career, and begin writing a new one inspired by his own triumphs. “It's been very frustrating this past year having Inkin pull out twice, Calzaghe continue ducking me, and Taylor opting to fight Jeff Lacy in a potential eliminator rather than fighting me for the full WBC title,” Froch said. “There were times when it was really tough getting motivated to get in the gym. Really, what was I training for? But I kept faith in myself, and faith in my promoter, and things eventually worked out in a big way.” For Pascal, the bout against Froch is not only his first crack at a world title, but also a chance to be the third Quebec fighter in eight years to hold the WBC title at 168 lbs., following in the footsteps of Davey Hilton Jr., and Eric Lucas. “I'm very happy for the chance to fight for a world title, and to bring the WBC title back to its rightful home in Quebec. “It's been a while since I last fought, so I'm very excited to be back in action. I'm more motivated than ever, and I'll do whatever it takes to bring that title back from England.” Froch's promoter Mick Hennessy knows his charge will have his hands full against Pascal, a gold medallist at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. “I'm so delighted that this fight has being made, and thankful that somebody had the cojones to step up and face Carl Froch,” Hennessy said. “All of the top 168lbs fighters seem to be blatantly avoiding Carl Froch. So fair play to Jean Pascal and Yvon Michel for stepping up to take this fight. “I saw first-hand in Manchester just how good Jean Pascal is. He's a very athletic, flashy, fast, powerful, and somewhat awkward fighter. And, you know against Carl he's going to be more motivated than ever.” Yvon Michel, Pascal's promoter, believes that Pascal-Froch will mark a focal point in a historic revival of Quebec boxing. “This is such a great time for boxing in Quebec. We have fighters defending their world titles, and legitimate contenders like Jean and Hermann Ngoudjo, on the verge of claiming world titles of their own,” Michel said. “By the time this year is done, we'll be looking at boxing history in the province of Quebec that will be the envy of the rest of the world. “I also want to thank Mick Hennessy for getting this fight made with us. We had very cordial, fruitful negotiations, and we at GYM are looking forward to a tremendous event on December 6, in Nottingham." According to Froch's trainer Robert McCracken, his charge is more than ready to claim a spot on the world boxing stage as a legitimate world champion. “Carl's been put back a bit a couple of times this year with fights falling through, but he's always ready for anybody, and any challenge.” Froch's trainer Robert McCracken said. “I think Carl Froch is the best 12 stone fighter on the planet, and he'll prove that against Jean Pascal on December 6th.”

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