Stevenson vs. Oosthuizen on March 2 For Froch's Belt?

By Luke Furman

The IBF's super middleweight situation is still unresolved. Carl Froch has a mandatory defense due to Adonis Stevenson (19-1, 16KOs). Froch's promoter, Eddie Hearn, is trying to reach an agreement with Sauerland Event for a rematch with WBA "regular" champion Mikkel Kessler.

The IBF would likely approve a unification between Froch and Kessler. If a deal is not reached, or the IBF rejects the exception request, Froch would be forced to face Stevenson or vacate his title.

If the title is vacated, promoters Yvon Michel [for Stevenson] and Rodney Berman of South Africa are willing to make a match, with Froch's vacant title at stake, between Stevenson and IBO champ Thomas Oosthuizen (21-0-1, 13KOs). The fight would happen on an HBO televised date of March 2nd in Connecticut. Oosthuizen is said to be returning on the March date, with or without Stevenson.

Everyone involved is waiting for the outcome of the Froch-Kessler negotiations.

Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org