Nathan Cleverly has branded the notion that Carl Froch is one of the greatest British fighters of all time as an "absolute joke".

The Welshman has made no secret of his desire to fight the IBF and WBA super-middleweight champion but claimed that Froch is scared to fight him.

"I have a lot of respect for Froch, but the idea of him being the self-proclaimed best British fighter ever is an absolute joke," Cleverly told PA Sport.

"Let's face it, he is slow, robotic, and he is claiming he is the best British fighter ever, it's just idiotic.

"He doesn't want to fight me because with my speed, ability and naturally bigger frame, I would be too much for him. His arrogance will take him down another route. If I'm being honest, I don't think it will happen not because of me, but because of him."

Cleverly will defend his WBO light-heavyweight title against an unnamed opponent at Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena on August 17.