In a land obsessed with image and perceptions, people often seek the quickest and easiest way to earn a reputation of greatness.
The noble art of boxing is no exception. The training most fighters put into preparing for their next fight might be arduous, but it's usually exceeded by the effort they, their promoters and their managers make trying to convince the public that they really are the warriors they claim to be.
Carl Froch, however, is one man who does not subscribe to that theory.
The 35-year-old from Nottingham is not undefeated. He does not boast the sport’s most spectacular entrances, nor does he court controversy purely to increase ticket sales.
He has spent over a decade trying to prove to the United Kingdom, and the world, that he is the closest thing boxing has to a modern-day warrior.
Three world titles and countless thrilling in-ring battles later, he has almost cemented his legacy.
Almost.
Even in the latter stages of his prime, Froch continues to fight battles on three fronts: past, present and future.
Eurosport-Yahoo!’s Liam Happe had the chance to speak to Froch about all three in this interview - which will be spread over two parts.
Froch kicked things off by explaining exactly why he wants to tie up the loose ends from his 32 forays onto the canvas-covered battlefield. That starts will start with seeking revenge against the man who handed ‘The Cobra’ his first defeat: Mikkel Kessler.
The two will compete in a return bout on May 25 at the o2 Arena in London, and Froch believes he’s a different, more mature boxer now than when he lost to Kessler three years ago.
“This rematch with Kessler will define my legacy,” said Froch. “It’s all about redemption to me.
“I think my defence is better since the first bout. I also move around better than I used to – I don’t just stand there and fight.
“I’m a little better at keeping behind my jab as well, but when I need to I can definitely still stand up and fight, and that’s what Kessler does. He fights when he has to.
“People are excited about this fight because they know what they’re going to get. They’re not going to be built up and built up only to be let down when they’ve forked out on pay-per-view.
“Those who watch this fight know when they buy it they’re going to be watching a brutal bout between two genuine warriors who both want the same thing. We want to win and we refuse to lie down.
“It’s got the recipe for an epic and there may even be a third one because when I beat him this time – and I will beat him – that will make us 1-1 which means we need a decider. But we’ll get this one out of the way first.”
Though the Kessler loss is something the 30-2 Froch wants to rectify, he has no issues with losing his unbeaten record – something he feels has had its value diluted by mollycoddled boxers.
This image will remain prominent in the mind of 'The Cobra' as May 25 draws closer
Another battle from Carl’s past – a psychological war with retired great Joe Calzaghe, who never lost but frustrated Froch by never stepping into the ring with him – was visible in a ‘Vietnam flashback’ manner as the Englishman explained his disdain of fighters being protected.
“People who protect their undefeated records too much are almost wasting everyone’s time,” Froch said. “I’m not going to dig anyone out over it but some people retire undefeated and are never heard of again.
“Then you have boxers like Sugar Ray Leonard, Sugar Ray Robinson, Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali. They’ve all been beaten but they are true legends because they fought the best of the best.
“And that’s what I have done. I’ve taken on all comers. There’s nobody I would swerve. I’m not going to refuse to fight anyone because I like to challenge myself.
“My first-ever world title defence was against Jermain Taylor over in America and everyone thought I’d lose that. I’ve also taken on then-unbeaten guys in Jean Pascal and Andre Dirrell and last year I won this title from Lucian Bute, who was unbeaten in 30.
“I’ll take on undefeated boxers all the time because that’s the kind of man I am.
“A lot of people over the years had their careers protected and their records protected. Some boxers go undefeated for as many as 20 or 30 fights before they’ve even faced a real challenge.”
He added: “I think that day and age of promoters doing that is all but finished because the people who try it are failing now.
“Eddie Hearn at Matchroom puts his charges into evenly-matched fights, and I think I set the standard for that by fighting the likes of Kessler, Pascal, Bute, Andre Ward and Arthur Abraham.
“I’ve not won all of them, but my name is massive because everyone respected what I did and still do."
Froch feels his slower, high-risk approach to greatness leads to another ongoing battle outside the ring: proving to the sport’s new blood that only by challenging yourself can a fighter earn respect.
“Young up-and-comers regard me as the best pound-for-pound fighter in Britain because financially and marketing-wise I am doing very well and going for those big fights, and those young boxers want to be in my position,” Froch explained.
“The only way they are going to achieve that now and earn that money and status is to do what I’ve done, and that’s take on all comers.
“You can’t con the public any more, you have to earn their respect in 50-50 fights like I am again against Kessler.
“Some people want to be in boxing but they don’t want to take risks, they don’t want to risk being beaten, but I will take that gamble because it’s better for me and better for the sport.”
Froch’s warrior’s pride and love of video games led to a unique opportunity to dress up as Kratos, a character from the upcoming God of War game.
Froch endures a make-up session as rigorous as training for a big fight
With Carl’s training camp for the Kessler rematch set to intensify soon, he told us how video games serve as an ideal release from the day-to-day discipline required ahead of a huge fight.
“It’s brilliant. I look big and strong, a true warrior,” Froch said with pride as he looked at his body paint and costumes. “And that’s good in my line of work. I look menacing, like a true God of War.
“Video games are a good way to take my mind off boxing when I need to wind down. I’m a bit of a gamer myself and you lose yourself in them. It’s a good way to relax.
“They have a good storyline like a film but you are taking an active role in the story as it develops. They’re generally a massive story as well, they can last for hours.
“Kratos is a fitting character for me, because he is on a revenge mission - just like I will be against Kessler.”
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God of War: Ascension for Playstation 3 comes out in UK stores on Friday March 15.