Unbeaten "Cobra" Froch risks title against Taylor

MASHANTUCKET, Connecticut (AFP) - Undefeated British super middleweight champion Carl Froch will defend his crown for the first time on Saturday against former undisputed middleweight world champion Jermain Taylor.

Froch, an Englishman from Nottingham nicknamed "The Cobra", carries a 24-0 record with 19 knockouts into his showdown with US star Taylor, 27-2 with one drawn and 18 knockouts, for the World Boxing Council title.

"I want to show the doubters. I want to make a statement," Taylor said. "This is a comeback fight for me and will probably be remembered by the outcome. It's the kind of fight I need."

Froch, whose only prior fight outside England was in 2005 in cinematic wonderland Hollywood, took the title last December in his hometown with a 12-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Canadian Jean Pascal.

"Jermain seems very confident, talking about being back and number one, but make no mistake - this is my belt. I'm the champion. I'm undefeated," Froch said. "Only a few warriors have been able to go the distance with me.

"Come Sunday morning, Jermain Taylor will be disappointed that he doesn't have the belt. I'm showing the Americans what "The Cobra" is made of."

Taylor claimed the undisputed middleweight crown with a 2005 split-decision victory over Bernard Hopkins and defended the title with three triumphs and a draw before being stopped by countryman Kelly Pavlik in 2007.

Taylor lost a unanimous decision in a 2008 rematch and moved up to super middleweight, defeating compatriot Jeff Lacy last November to book his first title bout in his new weight class against Froch.

"I have found the hunger again and it took fighting Carl for the belt to get it back," Taylor said. "I'm more focused on boxing because I don't have to worry about making weight. If I catch him, he's going to sleep."