Edit by John Garita/RBRBoxing
Talks for a fight between IBF and WBA Super Middleweight Champion Carl Froch and former Middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. are in their final stages, according to a recent article by Niall Hickman of the Daily Express.
“A date of March 28 has been pencilled in for Froch to defend his IBF and WBA 12st belts in the Nevada gaming capital against Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr.,” said the article.
Froch, 37, of Nottingham, United Kingdom, has not fought since knocking out George Groves in a May rematch to defend his titles.
Chavez, 28, on the other hand, has not fought since his rematch against Brian Vera in March. The Culiacan, Mexico native has had problems making weight since his 2012 loss to Sergio Martinez, choosing now to compete at the Super Middleweight limit of 168 lbs instead of at 160lbs, where he previously held the WBC title.
The possible Super Middleweight matchup is currently being discussed between Eddie Hearns of Matchroom Promotions, Froch’s promoter, and Chavez’s advisor, Al Haymon.
One major roadblock is Chavez’s contractual obligation to Top Rank, but another one may be the IBF.
According to a recent BoxingScene.com article by Terence Dooley, the IBF expects Froch to honor his mandatory defense against James Degale, who earned a shot by knocking out Marco Antonio Periban in November.
“The IBF is not aware of a Froch vs. Chavez fight,” stated Lindsey Tucker of the IBF in the article.
“We expect Froch to honour his IBF mandatory,” he continued.
While the final verdict as to whether the fight will happen is yet to be given, whom do you favor in the matchup?
Does Froch have another one in him to defend his titles before retiring? Or will Chavez prove himself at Super Middleweight by defeating, because of Andre Ward‘s inactivity, its reigning champion?
