By Phil D. Jay
IBO super-middleweight champion Thomas Oosthuizen was disappointed when a unification fight with IBF title holder Carl Froch fell through, but has told WBN that he would prefer any potential bout to take place in America in future.
The 24 year-old, who is undefeated in 21 bouts with 13 stoppages to his name, was touted to face the Nottingham fighter on his home soil in Briton this November, but revealed that a monetary difference between the camps put an end to the potential match-up.
“I would welcome the fight with Froch, but my management turned it down for financial reasons,” Oosthuizen told World Boxing News.
“I would love this fight and had hoped that terms would be agreed, but it’s up to the respective teams.”
The mouth-watering contest would have taken place at the Capitol FM Arena in the heart of Froch’s home city and the South African admits that he would favour a neutral venue after scoring his two latest victories on American soil.
“I love fighting in the US,” said Oosthuizen. “The atmosphere, television exposure and the sparring are great.
"Although South Africa remains my priority, obviously (I would rather fight Froch in) the US as opposed to the UK as it is very difficult fighting an Englishman in his home town.”
As for his next fight, Oosthuizen is set to return to US soil for an outing on October 5 to be televised on ShoBox and is currently looking at ‘a number of opponents’ for the contest, which could then lead into talks for a unification once again.
“I regard the IBO Title which I hold, very highly, but would welcome the opportunity to unify titles and am confident that major opportunities await me in the next 12 months,” added the southpaw.
Phil D. Jay covers boxing for worldboxingnews.net