Carl Froch warns Mikkel Kessler: I'm better than before

Carl Froch says that if Mikkel Kessler expects a repeat of their 2010 battle, he's going to be sorely disappointed by the opponent he's facing this time around, saying he was mentally distracted before their first meeting, and this time he's locked in:

The Viking Warrior thinks he saw it all in Herning, but in reality he faced a shadow of the fighter that will be turning up on May 25.

If you were overwhelmed with my performance against Lucian Bute, well you are in for a treat. I knew I had the beating of Bute, despite everyone writing me off. I knew I had the goods to knock him out and take that IBF World title. This time, it all moves up a whole new level. I'm putting the record straight and I promise it will be clinical, brutal and emphatic.

Last time, I was throwing wild bombs and then standing back and admiring them. There will be none of that this time around. Once I get Kessler on the hook, I shall be reeling him in for the finish!

After our last fight, Kessler looked like he had gone through a car windscreen. Hopefully this time around, the ending is quick for him and his family at ringside. Of course, I wish him no long-term harm. He is a gentleman and a great ambassador for our sport. But come May we shall put our respect for each other to one side and England v Denmark will go to war!

Froch (30-2, 22 KO) lost a very close decision to Kessler (46-2, 35 KO) in Denmark the first time around, in a fight that really could have gone either way, and frankly likely would have been scored for Froch had the fight been in the UK, which it will be this time.

Both fighters have changed since then. Kessler's had some injury issues that have seemingly made him a bit more aggressive, while Froch looked a career-best against Lucian Bute last year. Another war is expected, in what should be one of the biggest event fights of 2013.