Venue: Trent FM Arena, Nottingham Date: Saturday, 6 December
Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio Five Live and BBC Radio Nottingham. Live on ITV1.
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By Nabil Hassan
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 Nottingham boxer Carl Froch is unbeaten in 23 fights
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Nottingham's Carl Froch says he is confident of defeating Canada's Jean Pascal and claiming the vacant WBC super-middleweight title on Saturday.
The 31-year-old Froch takes on Pascal, 26, at the Nottingham Arena and says he is in the shape of his life.
"I've been a professional for seven years and it is the right time for me to fight for a world title, I've got the experience," he told BBC Sport.
"I am confident enough and believe in myself in a big way."
Both fighters are unbeaten, with former British and Commonwealth champion Froch boasting a record of 23 victories and 19 knockouts.
Pascal, with 21 victories and 14 knockouts, recognises Froch's punching power, but believes he has "better skills" than Froch and that he will return to Quebec with the WBC belt.
"I'm quick and I'm strong, I've been training six days a week and I'm in great shape," said Pascal. "I've not boxed for 10 months so I'm itching to get back in the ring."
Pascal has never boxed professionally outside of North America - and only once outside Canada - and Froch is hoping home support will aid his bid for victory.
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I'm a big puncher and have got all the attributes needed to be a superstar
Carl Froch
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Nearly 8,000 fans are expected at the Trent FM Arena and that could prove crucial on what is set to be a memorable night in Froch's home city.
"For me to fight in front of my home fans is brilliant," said Froch.
"I live about five minutes from the arena and to be surrounded by all of my home comforts in the week of the fight is important as it means I can be chilled and concentrate on the task in hand.
"Pascal doesn't have that luxury and travelling to Nottingham for him will be alien. It is another thing going in my favour."
However, Pascal has boxed in England as an amateur and is banking on that experience to see him through Saturday's fight.
"I'm glad to be back in the UK because I won the Commonwealth Games gold medal here [in Manchester in 2002]," said Pascal.
"I fought a British guy called Paul Smith in front of 15,000 fans and beat him. So I know what I'm getting into on 6 December and I'm not scared at all. I've got good memories here."
Both fighters have gone abroad in the build up to the fight, with Pascal preparing in Arizona and Froch spending six weeks in County Mayo, Ireland.
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606: DEBATE
BBC Sport's Nabil Hassan
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"I'll be apprehensive and a little nervous," admitted Froch.
"I know I'm good enough, fit enough and strong enough but obviously I need to put it all together on the night."
Victory will see Froch become one of the biggest names in the super-middleweight division, with a clash against former middleweight king Jermain Taylor already lined up for next spring.
He said: "I am not one of these fighters who will win a world title and not be known.
"I'm very confident and very outspoken, I'm going to be a marquee name.
"I'm a big puncher and have got all the attributes needed to be a superstar."
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