WBA/IBF world super middleweight champion (33-2, 24 KO’s) has been forced to delay his plans for a return to the ring in the first half of 2015 after sustaining an unspecified injury in training, according to an article posted on skysports.com/boxing.
Froch and his promoter Eddie Hearn have been trying to arrange a big-money-match-up with Mexican draw Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in Las Vegas as a sendoff for Froch as he nears the end of a storied career. He has never fought under the bright lights on the strip and by all accounts would like to tick that box before he hangs up the gloves for good.
At 37 years old, this bump in the road is an untimely one and the postponement means that if Froch returns later this year he will do so on the back of a thirteen month absence from the ring, at least.
“I’m disappointed to have to let this opportunity go but at this stage in my career I have to make every fight count. I will get some treatment and then we will look to make this fight or another big fight in the early summer,” said Froch.
It is difficult to speculate who he would prefer to fight if Chavez Jr is not available by the time he makes his return. Who would fulfil the same requirements? Chavez is the perfect candidate; his come forward style and disdain for defensive measures makes for a winnable night for Froch and an entertaining night for the fans. And his huge fan following would ensure a lucrative evening for both combatants. Not many other fighters bring all that to the table.
Eddie Hearn, head of Matchroom Sport, insists that a delay would be the prudent course of action despite the inconvenience such a decision is sure to cause.
“We have been deep in negotiations for some time and we were almost ready to go. Carl has gone into fights before not 100 per cent fit and paid the price and he has made the right decision to hang fire. We will have a meeting early next week and plan out 2015. I’m confident we will see him back in the ring this summer.”
Hopefully Froch gets his last hurrah in the Nevada desert just like he has been planning, but he and his promoter need to tread carefully at this point. After such a long lay-off, a rusty Froch could end up taking a battering on route to a hard-fought victory if a different, slicker opponent is found to fill the opposite corner. Great for the fans, but not conducive for Froch as he nears the end.
