By Edward Chaykovsky

WBC silver super middleweight champion James DeGale is praying that IBF king Carl Froch sticks around long enough for the two of them to face each other in the ring. DeGale defends his WBC title against Argentine Pablo Farias at Bluewater’s Glow arena on March 23. Froch will face Mikkel Kessler in a mouthwatering rematch on May 25th in the UK. DeGale hopes Froch does not emulate British legend Joe Calzaghe by announcing his retirement before the two of them could fight.

DeGale told The Sun: “I know Froch was bitterly annoyed when Calzaghe quit boxing instead of fighting him, so he knows exactly what it is like to be swerved. Froch has his upcoming fight with Mikkel Kessler in May and has then targeted two rematches — one with Lucian Bute and another with Andre Ward, who beat him. I’ve read that after those three fights he will consider ending his career. All I am asking is for him fight me before hanging up his gloves. Looking at Froch, he is not the kind of man to swerve anyone or anything. Froch was always calling out Calzaghe but never got that fight — and I think he would have beaten him at that stage. It would be great if Froch stayed around long enough for us to meet.”