Froch offers Showtime $250k to bring Johnson fight to Nottingham

Carl Froch says he's so desperate to save his fans another trip overseas that he's offered to compensate his paymasters if they switch his next fight to his home town.

The WBC super-middleweight champion is set to box Glen 'The Road Warrior' Johnson in the semi-finals of the Super Six tournament which has been organised by American cable broadcaster Showtime.  Johnson said last week that Showtime had told him the match would be in Atlantic City on June 4th and his quotes were picked up by various media outlets, including BoxRec News.

Froch initially denied that any confirmation had been made.  Now he seems to accept that he'll box on that date but is still trying his best to get the fight venue switched.

"I've been in touch with Showtime and talks are on-going," told the Nottingham Evening Post."Websites are reporting that the fight with Johnson will be in Atlantic City on June 4. It looks like that will be the date, but it is not 100 per cent certain yet.

"I've had my last two fights away from home and that's not fair on my fans. They are brilliant and they deserve better.

"I've boxed all over the world as an amateur and a professional and I can honestly say the Nottingham fans are the most vocal and more importantly the most passionate crowd I've ever witnessed. Hence, the amount of work I'm putting in to bring this next fight back home.

"I haven't got that many fights left in my career and I owe it to them to give them another big night at the Ice Arena.

"I've spoken to Showtime, who will obviously want compensation. After all, it's an expensive business to bring a production crew over here.

"I've offered to pay them 250,000 dollars out of my share of the gate in Nottingham and I'm just waiting for them to get back to me.

"I'll be gutted if I have to fight in America, but I can't really do any more."

Froch says it has been frustrating waiting for confirmation of a date and venue. "It does seem to be dragging on, but there is nothing I can do," he said.

"I sat down and talked it over with my trainer, Rob McCracken, and we feel the fight should be in Nottingham.

"If it is, I am sure Sky will pick it up, which would be great.

"After all, my world title is at stake here and it would be great to have home advantage in front of 9,000 fans in Nottingham.

"I'm sure Glen would be ok with it. After all he is the Road Warrior."

Johnson might be the Road Warrior but he isn't dumb. He'll want a lump of extra money too if Froch is to pull off this unlikely move.