By Luke Furman

According to a spokesperson for the International Boxing Federation, IBF super middleweight champion Carl Froch (30-2, 22 KOs) can easily apply for a waiver to delay a mandatory defense against Adonis Stevenson (19-1, 16 KOs) of Canada. If the waiver is denied, then Froch has to fight Stevenson or face the possibility of getting stripped.

"Froch can apply for a waiver so he can fight someone else. If the waiver is granted, he retains the title [and has permission to take another fight]. If the waiver is not granted, and he chooses to fight someone other than Stevenson - he must give up the IBF title," the IBF spokesperson wrote to QMI Agency.

Froch's promoter, Eddie Hearn, is attempting to reach a deal with Sauerland Event to stage a unification rematch with WBA "regular" champion Mikkel Kessler. Because the fight would be a unification, even Stevenson realizes the IBF is almost sure to give Froch permission to take part in the match, with the winner being mandated to fight Stevenson.

"Should Froch, Kessler, the IBF and WBA all agree - I need confirmation that I will face the winner," Stevenson said.

Kessler's promoter, Nisse Sauerland, expects the IBF to give Froch permission to fight Kessler.

"It would be beneficial for everyone in boxing. It is one of the biggest fights in boxing in 2013," noted Nisse Sauerland.

If Froch's belt becomes vacant, then Stevenson would possibly face IBO champ Tommy Oosthuizen (21-0-1, 13 KO) for the vacant IBF belt on March 2 in Connecticut, and HBO would televise.

Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org