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Ward: I beat Froch with one hand - I’d like to fight him healthy!

Phil D. Jay 
WBN Editor
Champ eyes unification rematch

WBC and WBA super-middleweight champion Andre Ward is open to a possible rematch with new IBF title holder Carl Froch after witnessing the ‘Cobra’ demolish Lucian Bute at the back end of last month.

The 28 year-old, who has admitted to fighting Froch in the Super-Six final last October with a fractured hand, battles WBC 175lb champion Chad Dawson on September 8th and is willing to open negotiations with the Briton after his all-American clash.

"I'm ready and willing to do a re-match any time, any place. I would love to fight Carl Froch totally healthy,” Ward told thisisnottingham.co.uk.

"If he had a bad night against me, I had a bad week. I fractured my hand and had to deal with a grotesque swelling, trying to hide it from the media and the Froch camp.

"I won that fight with virtually one hand. Froch talks about his devastating punches. Well, he hit me with his best shot. I ate everything he gave and dished it right back out."

Froch, 34, has propelled himself back into the big-time with his fifth round stoppage victory over the previously undefeated Canadian and is currently in high demand as he plots his next move.

One option is a rematch with Mikkel Kessler, the only other man to defeat him in 31 contests. The ‘Viking Warrior’ is willing to travel to the UK this September or October for the bout after watching Froch's victory ringside, whilst Kelly Pavlik has also shown an interest in opposing the new champion.

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