Froch now firmly on road to redemption

Only Kessler and Ward have mastered Froch and on Saturday night the 35-year-old from Nottingham took the first step on his “road to redemption” by retaining his IBF super-middleweight title against the man who dethroned him in 2010.

A savage 12-round collision fought before a 19,000-capacity crowd at the 02 Arena saw Froch secure a 118-110, 116-112, 115-113 decision, although the first scorecard was flattering.

With Kessler accounted for, Froch has turned his attention to unbeaten WBA ‘super’ champion Ward, the man who outclassed him in Atlantic City in December, 2011.

“If I could avenge the Andre Ward loss...c ould you imagine that?” said Froch, who banked his 31st win. “The only two people to have beaten me are Kessler and Ward, so to beat them is the stuff dreams are made of. Beating Kessler is the first step on the road to redemption.

“I have two belts (IBF and the lesser WBA belt that Kessler held), so what choice does he have but to come to the UK? Why would I go to America to fight someone like him?

“No-one wants to face him, so he must come over here. I boxed him in the US, so the next one has to be in the UK. Let’s get him out of America.”

Ward appears open to a first fight outside the United States or Caribbean, declaring during his stint as an analyst for HBO that it would have to be staged at Wembley.

“Andre has absolutely no options. Tell me another fight out there for him at super-middleweight,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “That’s why he was at the 02 – he wants the fight with Froch. That’s a massive fight.

“We’re sitting here with two belts and Carl has just catapulted himself to huge new levels in terms of sporting prestige in Great Britain, so we’ll relax and take our time. If Andre wants the fight, then it will have to be where we want it.”

Froch and Ward spoke briefly after the thunderous showdown with the American bristling at criticism of his style.