IBF super-middleweight champion Carl Froch will begin the defence of his title with a bout against US boxer Yusaf Mack.

Mack, who has not competed in the super-middleweight division for five years, has claimed that he will go up against the British 35-year-old, known as 'The Cobra', in Nottingham.

"I'm real excited and I know they doubt me, because I saw the interview online when they asked Froch why he's fighting me, and all the press in London spoke their mind that I shouldn't be fighting him," Mack told ringtv.com.

"They brought up that I lost to Glen Johnson and Tavoris Cloud, and it was like I'm not worthy enough to fight Froch. I'm going to work my ass off for this fight and leave everything in the gym."

Froch, who snatched the belt from Lucian Bute in May, will fight Mack, who has a record of 17 knock-outs.