CARL Froch super fan Richard Belton has been to see the Cobra 15 times so when the opportunity came to meet his hero face-to-face, he jumped at it.
He was among the dozens of fans queued up around the block at Waterstones in Bridlesmith Gate as the Nottingham boxing icon signed copies of his newly re-released autobiography.
Mr Belton, 35, of Wilbert Road in Arnold has followed Froch throughout his career.
He said: "I went to see him in Wembley fight George Groves which was absolutely brilliant – I'm here to get a signed copy as a present for my dad because we went together.
"He's just a great ambassador for the city – he seems really approachable and a decent character.
"I'm just waiting for Vegas, that would really tick all the boxes if that happens."
The latest edition has been revised to include the showdowns with George Groves and the road to Wembley.
Ahead of the signing, Froch said: "The book follows up to the point where I came to national success, knocking out that obnoxious child (Groves)."
"There's such a huge amount that's happened in my career since the last book - I've crossed over to a whole new audience after taking part in the biggest post-war boxing match.
"It's the whole thing to give everyone a look into the mind of a champion and a fighter and what happens behind the scenes."
The book charts his rise to boxing glory as well as home life with partner Rachael and their two children Rocco and Natalia.
He added: "I don't know what I am going to do in terms of the future.
"The book is basically the final chapter of my professional career - I am sort of semi-retired unless my promoter can get me to the fight capital of the world in Las Vegas."
Me & my six-month-old boy Arlo enjoyed meeting @Carl_Froch today at his book signing at @WaterstonesNG in Nottingham! pic.twitter.com/G4FVpblgHK
— Rich (@Cheese_Diarist) November 29, 2014
Even if Froch himself suggests the end could be nigh for his professional career, his legion of fans did not seem to care.
Mark Large, 50, of Ellington Road in Arnold, said: "I've followed boxing throughout my life and been to quite a few big fights and I think he's got to be up the top with the best."
Thanks to @Carl_Froch for taking time out of his busy routine to meet the fans and sign his new book #championpic.twitter.com/oRT8gh990D
— murray cochrane ✌ (@murraycochrane) November 29, 2014
Patrick Randal, 74, of Charnock Avenue, Wollaton, added: "I've been interested in his whole career, from when he was teenager. "I've always been a boxing fan, never a fighter – there's been some great players but Carl takes the biscuit."
See our book signing gallery at nottinghampost.com/pictures
