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Carl Froch vacates IBF world title

Carl Froch still wants a Las Vegas swansong © PA Photos

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Carl Froch has decided to vacate his IBF world super-middleweight title, paving the way for James DeGale to fight for the belt on April 25.

Froch's future has remained uncertain after an elbow injury forced him to withdraw from a planned Las Vegas swansong with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on March 28.

The IBF had given Froch until January 31 to agree terms on facing mandatory challenger DeGale or staging the fight would go out to purse bids. However, the injury effectively forced his hand and now DeGale must face American Andre Dirrell - the No.2 challenger in the IBF rankings - for the belt, in a fight which is likely to take place at London's O2 Arena in April.

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Froch said: "It's been a frustrating couple of weeks with terms agreed for the Chavez fight only for me to be unable to proceed in camp due to injury.

"I know what it's like to wait for a shot and I didn't want to hold James up in fighting for a world title."

Froch originally played down the prospect of fighting DeGale, but added: "James is a great young fighter and I hope he can go out and win that title and who knows, we may even meet later in the year."

DeGale moved into the mandatory position after an impressive knockout victory over Brandon Gonzales last May before easily overcoming Marco Antonio Periban in November.

The Londoner is aiming to become the first Briton to win Olympic Gold and then a world title, while victory over Dirrell could also set up a rematch with domestic rival George Groves, who is mandatory challenger to the American's WBC belt.

Froch, meanwhile, has not fought since he dramatically knocked out Groves for a second time at Wembley Stadium in May last year - the same night DeGale defeated Gonzales.

The Nottingham fighter has long professed his desire to end his career in the fight capital of the world. Negotiations between Froch's Matchroom promoters and Chavez's camp initially proved positive before the 37-year-old suffered the elbow injury in his training camp.

He had been linked with fighting 50-year-old phenomenon Bernard Hopkins, but stated he had no interest in a bout with the veteran American.

However, that now appears a possibility again with the Daily Mail reporting Froch is considering a double-defence of his WBA belt: first would be a June bout with Hopkins at the City Ground, home of his beloved Nottingham Forest FC, before going on to face Chavez later this year.

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