17.08.08 Carl's Column

17/08/08

I love fighting in Nottingham and I love the fans. They have helped to get me to where I am now - on the verge of a world title. I could start by talking about Audley Harrison's latest comeback; Amir Khan's cautious match-making; or Joe Calzaghe's brittle bones - or why so many boxers are running scared of me.

But let's forget about boxing for the minute. Let's talk about football - more importantly my beloved Forest. Didn't they do well against former premiership side Reading?

I really believe Forest are on their way back to where they belong - in the big time - if they can get all their big guns firing in attack. They have fantastic backing from the fans who support them through thick and thin.

I'm going to base myself back in Nottingham from now on, so I hope to get down to more games this season. Boss Colin Calderwood has made some good signings. But it's a shame that Nathan Tyson got injured again. I really sympathise with him having had injury problems myself recently.

I was also sad to see Chris Commons go to Derby because he's a local lad and I rate him. He has come out and said he didn't want to leave Forest; but he was left with no choice as they didn't offer him a contract.  If that's the case you can't blame him because he's got to think of himself and the future. Like a boxer, a footballer's career can be short. You just never know what awaits you round the corner.

Hopefully, I'm finally going to get my future resolved soon. There have been a few hiccups and dissapointments  - I really would have loved to have tested myself against Joe Calzaghe. But it looks like I'm now fighting top Canadian Jean Pascal for Joe's old WBC belt, hopefully in Nottingham.

Pascal's unbeaten in 21 fights, but he's had most of them against moderate opposition in Canada, so he's untested in that sense. But he was a top amateur. I believe he boxed in the olympics and I certainly remember him winning a Commonwealth gold over here. 

He's been inactive for sixth months but he is younger, confident and ambitious... so there is no way i'm taking him lightly.

As I keep saying. I'm destined to be the next WBC World champion .... watch this space.

Carl Froch 

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