Britain’s Carl Froch and Mexico’s Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in a big money fight at Super Middleweight even is in the works for a March, 2015 spot. Both men have vast followings and are among the biggest names in the weight class, but both bring the typical baggage of boxing politics to the proposed duel. Should the fight get made, it will likely be in Vegas, a showcase that should propel the winner to bigger fights.
For Froch, who has been talking retirement as well, it is all about a big fight on a big stage. Froch has been hit with a mandatory defense of his IBF and WBA World titles with a match against countryman James DeGale in the works. Only an exemption for a big fight will prevent him from being stripped if he does not fight DeGale. DeGale unfortunately, is a regional fight for Froch who has been to the top with international competition and is not thrilled with DeGale as an opponent. He wants a fight in Las Vegas as his career draws to a close.
For Chavez Jr, the second generation Mexican star, a March date will mean he has been away from the ring for a year, since he last fought this past March, beating Brandon Vera. He has been embroiled in a contract dispute with his promoter Top Rank. Chavez would be 29 years old come March, so you presume that he has aspirations to beat Froch and continue his career. Since his suffering his lone loss in September of 2012, his career has seemed to be on hold. He has been suspended for testing positive for marijuana, and he looked flat in his two subsequent outings, both against Vera.
To add to the possibilities, promoter Eddie Hearn is working on a showdown between DeGale and George Groves, who has been Froch’s nemesis for his last two fights. It makes sense for all parties on the British Isles to move on, as Froch’s interest in fighting at home has waned over the years. Though he beat Groves twice, it was the unsung Groves who walked out of the fights with more respect and popularity than the ‘Cobra’.
Froch will likely be favored at the books when the line opens, though what direction it goes is really anybody’s guess.
Here is a nice HBO Sports video of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and his ‘Greatest Hits’:
