By Edward Chaykovsky
IBF/WBA 'regular' super middleweight champion Carl Froch has advised Sky Sports News that there is "a strong chance" he will retire from boxing if a deal is not reached to face Julio Chavez Jr. on a 2015 date in Las Vegas.
James DeGale, who faces Marco Antonio Periban next month, is Froch's IBF mandatory challenger and says he will be ready to fight the champion as early as late January.
After drawing 80,000 fans to May's rematch with George Groves, Froch admits he is not mentally motivated to fight someone like DeGale. Based on his latest statements, he would rather retire than make the mandatory defense.
"That's where I am on it," said Froch said. "I've told that to Eddie Hearn."
"I don't need to risk putting my legacy at stake for another British pretender who's not earned his stripes and without giving James DeGale any stick - he's an Olympic gold medalist, he's done well - he's not quite earned his stripes, but he's mandatory for the IBF belt. Do I fight him? Do I take him seriously? Yes, but if the Chavez fight can happen in Vegas for me, that is the one. If the Chavez fight doesn't happen, there's a strong chance of me retiring a happy man."
