Carl Froch: Super-middleweight champion warned by IBF

Carl Froch must agree to defend his IBF super-middleweight title against James DeGale by the end of January or his mandatory challenger will be allowed to battle Andre Dirrell for the belt.

The Nottingham man has not defended his IBF or WBA titles since his stunning stoppage win over George Groves at Wembley in May.

Froch has even suggested he will retire if a Las Vegas clash against Julio Chavez Jr does not materialise, but there is fresh doubt about that fight due to a rift between the Mexican star and his promoter Bob Arum.

DeGale earned his shot at ‘The Cobra’ by halting Brandon Gonzales on the Froch-Groves II undercard and the IBF will press ahead with plans for a clash with Dirrell if they are not notified about the champion’s next move.

Lindsey E Tucker, the IBF Championships chairman, told Sky Sports: “We sent him a letter on December 31, ordering him to start negotiating with mandatory challenger James DeGale.

“They have 30 days to negotiate. If they don’t reach a decision, then we call for a purse bid.”

Dirrell sits just behind DeGale in the governing body’s rankings and his solitary defeat came against Froch in 2009, a split decision loss during the Super Six tournament.

His brother Anthony currently holds the WBC title and is due to defend it against Groves in the next few months.