Froch looks towards Vegas for glamour bout
REIGNING world champion Carl Froch has his eyes on the bright lights of Las Vegas, after the 36-year-old saw off George Groves’ challenge for the IBF and WBA super-middleweight titles at Wembley over the weekend.
Nottingham-born Froch said yesterday that he would have retired if he had lost Saturday’s blockbuster re-match. Yet the eighth-round knockout of Groves has tempted Froch to look towards what would be his first ever fight in Las Vegas.
“There is one box that’s not ticked, and that’s Las Vegas,” Froch said. “All the greats before me have ticked that box in their careers and have been there. I’ve not had my name up in the lights of the fight capital of the world and it would be nice to do that before I decide to bow out.”
Froch turns 37 in early July, but added yesterday: “I feel strong. I could have three or four more fights, but if I decide after I’ve been on holiday I’ve had enough, don’t be surprised. The one thing I haven’t done is to fight in Las Vegas. That would get me up to remain in this sport. I wouldn’t say it is Vegas or bust – it is close to that.”
Froch could decide to defend his IBF belt against another fellow Briton, James DeGale, but appears more likely to relinquish his grip on the title and opt instead for a big-money clash in the US.
Groves, who is over a decade younger than Froch, insists he will become a world champion before long, despite Saturday’s defeat.
“I thank everyone who came out and made this such a wonderful and special event,” the Londoner said yesterday. “I of course plan to be world champion, and I’m sure I will be, in the not too distant future.”
WHO’S NEXT?
James DeGale
■ If Froch wants to defend his IBF belt on home turf, then fellow Briton James DeGale is the mandatory challenger having defeated Brandon Gonzales at Wembley on Saturday
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr
■ A fight in Vegas, however, would need a bigger name, with Mexico’s Julio Cesar Chavez Jr the most likely
Gennady Golovkin
■ Alternatively, undefeated Kazakh boxer Gennady Golovkin may make the step up from middleweight