Froch still chasing dream Vegas fight against Chavez Jr.
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has insisted that Carl Froch will face domestic rival James DeGale ‘sooner or later’ with a fight in Las Vegas becoming more unlikely for the former.
DeGale featured on the undercard of Froch’s win over George Groves at Wembley on May 31st, and with his victory over Brandon Gonzales he became the mandatory challenger for the Nottingham-born fighter’s IBF title.
Hearn has revealed that he has finally had a chance to sit down with Froch to discuss his next move, and although his preferred option is to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in Las Vegas in either November or December, it is becoming more unlikely that the fight will materialise.
The 37-year-old was ecstatic after putting the controversy of his first fight with Groves behind him and emphatically ended the second fight with a brutal knockout, but after taking time away with his family it appears as though he is now thinking about his next bout.
Hearn revealed that a third fight with Mikkel Kessler also remains an option, but the draw of a big domestic fight against DeGale will likely be the more profitable and appealing fight to take at this stage of Froch’s career.
While the duo would arguably fail to bring the same numbers that the rematch with Groves generated, DeGale is adamant that he has both the ability and style to defeat Froch, and although he maintains much more respect for his rival it is clear that the pair will meet before February otherwise Froch will be forced to vacate his belt.
“I think DeGale would be a huge fight. It is a domestic fight between a legend of the sport and an Olympic champion who is looking to make history and become the first British gold medalist to go on and win a world title,” Hearn told the Daily Mail.
“I think that a fight with Carl and James could be made either this winter, in November or December, or possibly in the Spring. As I said, it is all in Carl’s court but what I do know about him is that he will not willingly vacate a title. He worked hard for his titles, he won’t just give them up.”
If the fight isn’t made this year, Hearn insists that he will set up a big fight for DeGale at the O2 Arena on October 11 in order to keep him active, but ultimately all roads lead to a meeting with Froch with the Harlesden-born fighter desperate for a shot at a world title.
He will undoubtedly be even more anxious after long-time rival Groves announced his comeback to the ring with a bout against Christopher Rebrasse on September 20 in a final eliminator fight for a shot at either Sakio Bika or Anthony Dirrell for the WBC title.
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