• Super-middleweight

Froch rules out Groves rematch

ESPN staff
September 22, 2014
After beating George Groves twice, Carl Froch says he would rather fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in Las Vegas © Getty Images
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Carl Froch has told long-term rival George Groves to forget about another rematch, claiming he is not a world class opponent.

Groves clinched the European title with a unanimous decision win against Christopher Rebrassé at Wembley Arena on Saturday and claimed it was inevitable that he would one day become a world champion.

However, Froch admits he does not want to step into the ring with Groves, who is now the mandatory challenger for the WBC world title, for a third time and believes the 26-year-old should move his career forward by choosing a different opponent.

"It's history where I'm concerned," Froch said. "I know he said a few things there about having a third fight, but it's 2-0 George, you know what I mean, you've been knocked out twice.

"He can moan about the first fight, which I won, we had the rematch and it was clinical, there were no arguments. So he needs to leave me out of the equation and think about moving forward with his career."

Froch admitted he would prefer to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in Las Vegas or Mikkel Kessler for a third time rather than Groves or IBF's mandatory challenger James DeGale, claiming he would even consider giving up his IBF title to avoid the all-British clash.

"Everyone I speak to, the feedback I get tells me they are not that interested in me facing James DeGale," Froch added.

"DeGale needs to earn his stripes before facing me. I won't be forced into anything. He is the mandatory, but maybe we can get an extension, maybe I move on without the IBF title."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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