By Edward Chaykovsky

Olympic gold medal winner James DeGale (20-1, 14KOs) is taking a few digs at domestic rival Carl Froch.

DeGale was the mandatory challenger to Froch's IBF super middleweight title. Rather than fight him, Froch vacated the belt. This coming Saturday night in Boston, DeGale will clash with Andre Dirrell (24-1, 16KOs) for the vacant IBF belt in a Premier Boxing Champions main event.

Froch, inactive since last May's big win over George Groves, has mentioned that he might consider a fight with DeGale - if he captures the IBF title.

DeGale had advised him to forget that idea, because a showdown between the two of them would result in a brutal beating for the Nottingham man.

"I think Froch is finished and he should retire," DeGale told scribe Nick Parkinson. "He's getting on, earned a lot of money. He needs to relax, chill and retire. I expect him to retire. There's no point in him coming to me, I would absolutely batter him. He would not win a round off me. He's tough and durable but deep down he knows there's a slim chance for him."