WBO world light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly has warned not to write off Carl Froch against Andre Ward in their super-middleweight world title unification fight on Saturday.

Froch faces 2004 Olympic gold medallist Ward in Atlantic City for their WBC/WBA titles and many are tipping Ward to win but Cleverly is weary of doing that. He said, “I think Froch has a good chance. I just think Froch is so physically strong, very hungry, very fit and mentally strong. So I think he’ll handle the occasion well.”

While acknowledging Ward’s achievements and understanding why he’s favourite, Cleverly thinks Froch has a good chance of winning too.

The Welshman commented, “He is up against it and Andre Ward is the favourite. Obviously, he’s unbeaten and he’s beaten some class names, he’s got good names on his record. I think I’d just edge Andre Ward in the fight but you can never write off Carl Froch because he’s going to be dangerous, he’s a good puncher and he’s very hungry. It’s going to be a real cracking fight.”

Froch’s career at super-middleweight could be over on Saturday as there won’t be many fights at super-middleweight left for him and Cleverly is more than willing to accommodate Froch is he moves up in weight to light-heavyweight.

“Win, lose or draw – there’s always the option for Carl Froch to come up to light-heavyweight and get on a great domestic UK showdown between myself and him for my world title”, said Cleverly.

Cleverly continued, “I think Carl Froch himself has mentioned it in interviews so the option is there. We’ll see how Saturday night turns out but whatever result – the fight with me is always going to be a big sell over here in the UK.”