Froch Gets His Shot

Carl Froch has been given a final eliminator for the WBC super-middleweight title against Denis Inkin after being confirmed by the world governing body he is number one in their ratings. The unbeaten British champion, who won his 22nd fight by forcing former world champion Robin Reid into retirement on Friday, will face Inkin (31-0, Russia) for the right to fight Joe Calzaghe (Wales), the WBC champion. From Monday the boxers’ promoters have 30 days to reach a deal before a purse bid. The winner of Froch-Inkin will then fight Calzaghe. Froch hopes Calzaghe will still be fighting at super-middleweight by the time he beats Inkin in the final eliminator. “I’m one fight away from the ultimate aim and the biggest prize in boxing, the WBC title,” said Carl.“It’s nice to be confirmed as number one by the WBC as well because I’m up against some stiff competition like Inkin and Juergen Braehmer.“I would like to think Joe Calzaghe will still be there when I get past Inkin, but he’s talking about fighting Bernard Hopkins up at light-heavyweight now. But for the moment, I want to keep that dream fight alive.“Inkin is a decent fighter who is cool and skilful. I boxed him as an amateur in 1999 when he beat me on points but I put him down in the last round with an uppercut that really hurt him. This will be revenge.” Froch’s promoter Mick Hennessy is delighted the WBC has granted his fighter the final eliminator he deserves. “This is a fight we have wanted for a while and it’s a massive one for the right to fight Calzaghe,” said Mick. “I know that Carl is going to go on and prove me right and become the best super-middleweight on the planet with or without Joe Calzaghe in the division.“I hope Joe hangs around for this one because as far as we are concerned, he has got unfinished business.”