HARDENED boxing fans waited in the rain to catch a glimpse of their hero and Nottingham's world champion Carl Froch.
Dressed in a tailor-made grey suit, Carl thanked his fans for enduring the elements and said that his success was all down to their support.
"To know that I have the support of you guys means a lot," he said.Have a look at our gallery - Carl Froch: A career in pictures.
"I don't think I would have achieved what I have done without you."
Around 100 people gathered at the foot of the Council House, in the Old Market Square, to listen to the boxer talk from the balcony about his plans for the future.
"I want to put on a fight in Nottingham before Christmas," said the 35-year-old to rapturous applause and cheers from a sea of umbrellas below.
"Every man and his dog seems to want to fight me, and I'll fight anyone. It would be great to fight at the City Ground."
Four weeks ago Carl retained his IBF super-middleweight world title by beating "Viking warrior" Mikkel Kessler in a thrilling 12-round win on points at London's O2 Arena.
More than a million viewers tuned in to watch the Nottingham father-of-two beat his Danish rival and Froch reportedly earned £2 million.
It was the first time Froch had beaten Kessler, having lost out to the boxer in a previous fight in 2010.
The only other fighter in the world to beat Froch is the American Andre Ward.
But yesterday Froch admitted that a potential re-match with Kessler would take priority over a fight with Ward.
Asked if he thought he was slowing down with age 'The Cobra, said: "I'm genetically gifted. I'm hitting my physical peak. I'm knocking seconds off my runs. I must be a late developer.
"Running up and down the hills around Gedling and Carlton is what keeps me fit."
Among the crowd was Kellie Miles, 24, of Sneinton, she said: "I love watching his fights, we heard he would be in Nottingham today so we popped down to see him in the flesh."
Malcolm Brown, 65, of Tollerton said: "Carl is a slogger he deserves the success that he has achieved .
"He has put Nottingham on the map in many ways. I'll stand by him."
And mum-of-two Louise Frayton of Carlton said: "My two boys absolutely adore Carl so we've come down after school.
"I think he is a great sportsman, he comes in for some criticism from time to time, but in the ring is where he does the talking."
The event had been organised by Nottingham City Council as a civic reception to formally congratulate the boxer on his titles this year.
