Carl Froch has been given an added incentive to beat Mikkel Kessler later this month after Bernard Hopkins pinpointed the Nottingham slugger as the man he would next like to face after mandatory challenger Karo Murat.

Froch is looking to avenge his defeat to Denmark's Kessler when the two meet at the O2 Arena on May 25 in a blockbusting bout for the WBA and IBF super-middleweight belts.

And should Froch prosper then Hopkins, who became the oldest person to win a major title when he defeated Tavoris Cloud for the IBF light-heavyweight crown in March, is willing to do whatever it takes to set up an encounter that would surely capture the public's imagination.

"Froch is top of my wish list. I have great respect for him as a fighter. He is very exciting and our styles would make for a great fight," the 48-year-old told the Daily Mail.

"I will happily go over to the UK to make it happen but of course Carl will have to beat Kessler first. I am rooting for him to do it and I think he will win this time."

Hopkins is not expected to be seriously tested against the unheralded Murat, although one stumbling block which could derail a clash with Froch is the weight division at which they fight.

The American, who has also been linked with a bout against Froch's compatriot and the WBO's 175lb champion Nathan Cleverly, is happy to negotiate, however.

"While we could fight for my light-heavy title, there is the option of doing it at a catch-weight we are both comfortable with," he added.

"A fight of this magnitude matters more in its own right than the belt.

"Cleverly is a possibility for later this year but Froch is my preference if we can get it made."