New dad Froch no soft touch

Super-Middleweight World Champion Carl Froch insists the arrival of his second child last Friday won't make him a lesser opponent when he defends his World title against Mikkel Kessler at the O2 Arena in London on May 25.

His Danish opponent is one of only two boxers ever to beat 'The Cobra' and had hinted that Carl's personal situation would cause the Nottingham star to take his eye off the fight, but Carl isn't in any doubt.

Speaking in his first interview since the birth Carl said:

Carl also admitted that his training schedule meant he'd come close to missing the birth altogether.

Carl, who already has a son, Rocco, seemed as at ease rocking baby Natalia as he is at defeating world class fighters in the ring. The 35 year old from Nottingham expects his battle with Kessler to be 'epic', and says he is fit and strong enough to go the full distance if he needs to.