Carl Froch is relishing a war with fellow world champion Mikkel Kessler after beginning his Super Six World Boxing Classic campaign with an "unsatisfying" split-decision win over elusive American Andre Dirrell.

The 32-year-old retained his WBC super-middleweight title for the second time in Nottingham with a close-fought but ultimately uninspiring win.

Dirrell, 26, came into the fight unbeaten and highly rated but preferred to keep out of harm's way rather than have a scrap, much to the frustration of Froch and his fervent supporters at the Trent FM Arena.

Froch did enough for two judges to score the contest 115-112 in his favour, with the other giving to Dirrell by 114-113, but found his appetite for a punch-up still not sated.

"I was a little bit disappointed with the general all-round performance but obviously I'm very satisfied to retain my title, I've done what I had to do," he said.

"This fight will help my longevity in the tournament because I didn't get hit with anything to give me any sort of trouble at all. I feel like I could go again!

"So from that point of view it was good. But it was unsatisfying for a warrior like myself who likes to get involved in a fight and a trade-off.

"I like to stand and fight and I think Mikkel Kessler will do that more which will give the fans and TV viewers what they want. Styles make fights, it's an old cliche.

"Dirrell is a tall, fast southpaw with slick skills and I don't want to give him too much stick because he has come and done 12 rounds away from home.

"I don't mean it offensively to Andre but if you couple those skills with the negativity he brought tonight, that makes for a difficult night's work for any champion in the world."

Froch, now 26-0(20KOs), believes his next fight against tournament favourite and WBA champion Kessler will be far more exciting. The Dane meets American Andre Ward in the United States next month before meeting Froch in their second Super Six fight.

"I think when we beat Kessler we'll get the accolades," he said. "He's next and that's one to look forward to.

"Kessler boxes a bit and is a good mover but he'll stand there and fight rather than hold and moan. I'll do what I have to do, if I'm struggling to box early on then I'll put it on him and stand and have a trade-off but we'll see.

"I do think Kessler will win a close decision, travelling to America to face Ward. I'd like him to win and when we meet it will be for the undisputed title, which is what I've craved since turning professional."

Froch, 32, was the clear favourite heading into the clash while Dirrell came into the contest with an unblemished 18-0 (13KOs) record and with pedigree as a 2004 Olympic bronze medallist.

Froch sought a way in with Dirrell switching stances constantly, eluding the predatory champion. It was a scrappy affair with both men landing only occasional shots.

Dirrell - who had spent more time complaining about what he perceived as dirty tactics than trying to hit Froch - was docked a point for holding in the 10th round to undermine his cause.

There was a nervous air as a split decision verdict was announced, but Froch duly made a winning start to the tournament.

The post-fight press conference was marred by members of Froch's entourage taunting Dirrell's camp for his lack of aggression.

However, Dirrell's promoter Gary Shaw rightly countered by underlining the true spirit of 'the sweet science'.

"A lot of times fighters don't get credit and people talk about fighting. But the sport is boxing and Andre Dirrell is a superior boxer and he should get credit for that," Shaw said.

"You don't have to stand in front of someone and get your head punched in."

In the opening bout of the Super Six in Berlin last night, Arthur Abraham began with a superb 12th-round bonus-point knockout victory over fellow former middleweight champion Jermain Taylor.