Summary Carl Froch apologizes after threatening to "kill" Danish opponent Mikkel Kessler in the bout.
LONDON (AFP) - British boxer Carl Froch apologised on Thursday after threatening to "kill" Danish opponent Mikkel Kessler in their IBF super-middleweight bout in London on Saturday, as the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) launched an investigation into the incident.
Kessler claimed a points victory in the pair s first fight three years ago, but although they have since become friends, Froch launched a strongly worded verbal attack on his adversary in a pre-fight press briefing.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Froch said: "On Saturday night, if I have to, I will kill this fucker.
"Sorry about the language, but I will kill him. It sounds brutal, it sounds horrible, but this is what it means to me.
"I m going to leave it in the ring. And when I m smashing his face in, I am going to go for the kill. I am going to go for the finish."
However, he took to Twitter to apologise on Thursday, writing: "I m sorry if my comments yesterday offended anyone. This fight means so much to me & emotions are running high. See you at the weigh-in."
Despite the Nottingham fighter s apology, the BBBofC s general secretary, Robert Smith, said the governing body would investigate the comments.
"Carl s comments are inappropriate and we are disappointed in them," he told Britain s Press Association.
"They are very uncharacteristic from Carl, who is usually a very well-behaved and measured young man.
"We are surprised and disappointed in his comments, however, I have spoken to his management team of Rob McCracken and Eddie Hearn and we are looking into it and will deal with it accordingly."
