WBC Super Middleweight Champ Carl Froch is expecting a full house at the Trent FM Arena in Nottingham on October 17th when he kicks off his Super Six World Boxing Classic campaign against unbeaten American star Andre Dirrell.

Tickets for the event promoted by Hennessy Sports and Gary Shaw Productions go on sale from 1pm today and Froch says he’s delighted to be back in action in his hometown as he kicks off the Super Six tournament. Should Froch win the series outright the Dirrell bout will be the first of 5 fights that would see him eventually recognised as one of the best boxers in the World pound for pound.

It’s a case of first things first for Froch though as he looks to make a second successful defence of his World title against the brash, switch hitting Dirrell who is unbeaten in 18 professional fights following an amateur career that saw him win bronze at the 2004 Olympic Games.

“I can’t wait to get back in that ring at the Trent FM Arena,” revealed the unbeaten Froch who will be returning to the scene of his World title triumph over Jean Pascal last December. “I had to go into the lions den last time out to defend my title against Jermain Taylor in the U.S. but the tables are turned this time around and it’s Dirrell who’s coming to my home town.

“He needs to realise that he’s going to be coming into the snake pit and he’ll be getting the full force of the Cobra’s venom. I’m going to be putting it on him from all angles and hitting him with everything. I’ll have him wishing he stayed at home.”

Dirrell has other ideas and believes he is the man to ruin Froch’s unbeaten record. "Tell Carl Froch and all of his fans that on October 17th there will be a new Sheriff of Nottingham - ME!" declared Dirrell. "The Cobra is going to be eating a lot of leather when we meet. I'm going to knock his fangs down his throat. Cobra my foot, garden snakes are more dangerous than he is! He's just a little worm."

Although he travelled the World during a glorious amateur career Dirrell has yet to fight outside the U.S. as a professional and Froch believes he’s in for a shock. “It’s going be a real rude awakening for him because he’ll never have sampled anything like the atmosphere he’ll experience in front of 8,000 of my fans,” said Froch.

“He can talk all he wants about travelling the world as an amateur but this is the pro game and he’s coming to my hometown, looking to take away my World title – he’s got no chance!”

Dirrell has already boasted that Froch will be his easiest fight in the Super Six tournament but the Cobra isn’t buying the American’s bravado. “Dirrell obviously thinks he’s a lot better than he really is. He’s a big mouth and he’s loud and brash but now he’s going to have to back up all that big talk now.

“He’s been brought up the American way so mentally he believes he’s better than everybody else. That’s all well and good when you’re winning but when the pressure comes on he’ll find out the truth and it will be a very painful lesson.

“Once I start hitting him the doubts will start to creep in and before long he’ll realise that he’s out of his depth against a World champion at the peak of his powers defending his title in his own backyard."

Froch has watched Dirrell in action but says he’s seen nothing to trouble him. “He’s a decent fighter,” admitted the champion. “He does the basics well and he’s got fast hands but speed means nothing if you’re not in range.

“To be honest I’m not thinking about him too much at all. I’m concentrating on my own performance. I’ve already been working hard in the gym with my trainer, Rob McCracken. I’ll let Rob devise a strategy and I’ll follow it in the ring.

“I’m coming off two great wins against proven World Champions so Dirrell doesn’t worry me. In fact I bet when he lies in bed at night and stares at the ceiling it’s already starting to sink in that he's going to have to get in there with the Cobra. He’s probably having nightmares about it already every night but trust me it will be nothing compared to the nightmare that will face him on October 17th.

Tickets for Froch V Dirrell are go on sale from the Trent FM Arena, Nottingham Box Office at 1pm today priced £30, £45, £125 and £400. To purchase tickets call the Box Office on 08444 124 624 or visit www.trentfmarena.co.uk. Tickets are also available from Ticketline on 0844 888 4402 or via www.hennessysports.com.

Doors open at the Trent FM Arena from 7:30pm on the night with an action packed undercard getting underway at 8:30pm ahead of the main event which will start shortly after 2am.