By Edward Chaykovsky
IBF/WBA 'regular' super middleweight champion Carl Froch (33-2, 24 KOs) is more than happy to vacate his IBF title - avoiding a mandatory defense against James DeGale - in order to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in Las Vegas. The IBF is applying pressure on Froch to make a decision regarding the fight with DeGale, who next month will fight tough contender Marco Antonio Periban of Mexico.
Froch hopes his promoter, Eddie Hearn, will be able to get him a Chavez fight in Las Vegas. He sees no financial or competitive reason to fight DeGale.
Froch told BBC Radio 5 Live: "DeGale doesn't make any financial or business sense for me, my promoter or the TV broadcasters. His promoter is almost begging me to take the fight but he's not a big enough name. He has not beaten anyone to justify being in the ring with me. He lost to George Groves. I flattened Groves and it would be even easier to flatten DeGale."
"I'm happy to vacate the IBF belt. This is about me pursuing a dream of boxing in Las Vegas. I don't want to retire without having fought in the fight capital of the world. The promoter of Chavez Jr has been in touch with my promoter and once that happens you are on the road to getting the fight made. I've achieved above and beyond what I ever thought I would when I turned professional so I would retire with a smile on my face."
