Froch-Groves rematch in doubt as champ eyes Vegas swansong
WORLD super-middleweight champion Carl Froch has dashed George Groves’s hopes of a rematch by outlining his ambition to bring the curtain down on his career with a blockbuster fight in Las Vegas.
The 36-year-old successfully defended his WBA and IBF belts last weekend when controversially awarded a ninth-round stoppage by referee Howard Foster, despite Groves appearing able to continue.
Both fighters initially indicated they were keen to stage a rematch, but Froch yesterday said Groves had “had his chance and blew it” and is setting his sights on a fairytale ending to his career by boxing Andre Ward, one of only two opponents to have beaten him during a 34-fight career.
“To finish in a massive fight would be better than going over old ground,” he said. “It would be an honour to fight in Las Vegas because I’ve never done that under the big lights with all the glitz and the glamour on the main stage.
“I’m not motivated by money, I’m motivated by securing a legacy. Before I retire Andre Ward is on my hit list.”
If Froch does not get his wish to fight Ward he has expressed a desire to fight Mexico’s Julio Cesar Chavez Jr as an alternative.
“Chavez is a great fighter,” he added. “I’ll have to speak to my promoter and trainer and see whatever makes the most sense.”