MATTHEW BARNEY has promised to shut the "big mouth" of Carl Froch after the British and Commonwealth champion accused him of fighting "like a coward".

And the Southampton super-middleweight has issued a direct challenge to the Nottingham fighter, saying: "I am just the man to put you in your place."

The pair have been trading insults in recent weeks with Barney keen to have a crack at the unbeaten Froch, pictured right, who holds the British title he vacated 12 months ago.

Southampton's only ever world boxing champion has been angered after Froch, nicknamed 'The Cobra', dismissed him as not having enough strength, heart and ability to beat him.

But Barney today hit back, saying: "It is a load of rubbish. It is no good him talking about what he thinks he can do, he should back it up with actions.

"He is totally over-hyped. Who has Carl Froch ever beaten? I've got wins against Dean Francis and Tony Oakey and either of them would slaughter him.

"I would love to fight him and I would be quite happy to do it in front of his home fans in Nottingham. The truth is that he doesn't want to fight me. He says he wants to fight British opponents and I'm here waiting for him."

Froch, who promotes himself as 'Britain's most talented sportsperson', said: "I have got a feeling it is all talk and that Barney is trying to jump on the Carl Froch bandwagon to get a bit of publicity.

"He is trying to build his name up off of the back of me because he knows that TV aren't interested in him.

"Surely Barney cannot realistically think he can beat me? He doesn't have the strength, heart or the ability.

"If he genuinely does think he has a chance then he is within his rights, but he would find out different. I would knock him out easily.

"Barney is not at the top of my list of prospective opponents. He fights like a coward with all that running and holding.

"Granted he's got five gears, but four of them are for reversing.

"That said I am keen to retain my Lonsdale belt and Barney would be a good fight for my fans in Nottingham as they would get to see me score another spectacular finish."

For now, though, Barney is preparing for a possible European light-heavyweight title bid against German Thomas Ulrich.

The contract for the fight has been agreed and it is scheduled for January 15, but that date has already been put back on several occasions.

"It's frustrating as I keep getting different dates, but I have been told that this fight with Ulrich is still on," added Barney.