Carl Froch is a 33-to-1 favorite with some British bookmakers to beat Yusaf Mack on Saturday at the Capital FM Arena in his home city of Nottingham, England. Talk about being a red-hot racing certainty.

And the IBF super middleweight holder, while taking nothing for granted, is definitely in the mood to live up to those lopsided expectations. Ahead of the first defense of the belt he won in such stunning fashion back in May, when hammering previously-undefeated Lucian Bute in five rounds, Froch has warned the unfancied American challenger that no mercy will be shown.

It seems Froch (29-2, 21 knockouts) has taken offense to comments from Mack (31-4-2, 17 KOs) referring to him as “a fake Joe Calzaghe,” and is only too happy to turn the showdown into a grudge scrap.

“I’m glad (Mack’s) trainer has had a bit to say and is talking a good one, saying they’re here to fight. Four weeks ago, Yusaf Mack had very little to say and he’s said nothing today,” said the 35-year-old Englishman at a head-to-head press conference in the Midlands on Tuesday. “But when he was in London on Ringside he did and he got my needle going on about Calzaghe and how he thinks this and that.

“Let me tell you, come Saturday night, you’re in a whole world of trouble. You’re in my territory. I am the champ and you are going to feel the serious wrath of The Cobra. I am not playing.”

Froch, a three-time titlewinner, is promising another spectacular performance for his growing army of fans and admirers across the UK. The explosive nature of his victory over Bute has taken his popularity to a new level and a near-capacity 10,000 crowd will be supporting him this weekend.

“People say it’s an easy title defense. That’s rubbish,” Froch said. “I have prepared meticulously. I am going to do the business. I am going to give the crowd what they want. I am here to entertain. It’s an entertainment sport and I always entertain and I always do my best and try to get the stoppage if it’s there. So when I see the opening, I will be going for the big finish.

“I am just excited and looking forward to it. I am so proud and pleased — and humbled — that the place is going to be full. Everybody is coming out to see me. I feel like a superstar and that’s because of the people who have put their hands in their pockets and put bums on the seats in the arena.”

Photo / Scott Heavey-Gettyimages