By Edward Chaykovsky
IBF super middleweight champion Carl Froch (33-2, 24KOs) has been ordered by the International Boxing Federation to begin negotiations for a mandatory fight with James DeGale (20-1, 14KOs). Froch has until the end of January to reach a deal to face DeGale, or the Olympic gold medal winner will be allowed to battle Andre Dirrell for the belt.
Froch has been inactive since a May knockout over George Groves before 80,000 fans at Wembley. He has little interest in DeGale and would rather retire - unless he gets a Las Vegas showcase.
DeGale earned his shot at ‘The Cobra’ by halting Brandon Gonzales on the Froch-Groves II undercard and the IBF will press ahead with plans for a clash with Dirrell if they are not notified about the champion’s next move.
Lindsey E Tucker, the IBF Championships chairman, told Sky Sports: “We sent him a letter on December 31, ordering him to start negotiating with mandatory challenger James DeGale. They have 30 days to negotiate. If they don’t reach a decision, then we call for a purse bid.”













