Carl Froch says his Las Vegas fight with Julio Chavez Jr is nearly agreed

Carl Froch believes his fight with Julio Chavez in Las Vegas will be announced soon. Carl Froch believes his fight with Julio Chavez in Las Vegas will be announced soon.

Carl Froch has revealed his dream match-up with Julio Chavez Jr in Las Vegas has nearly been agreed.

The IBF and WBA super-middleweight champion is also open-minded to extending his storied career beyond the proposed March date with Chavez.

Froch has not fought since spectacularly stopping George Groves at Wembley Stadium in May, after which he instructed promoter Eddie Hearn to deliver a maiden bout in the fight capital of the world.

We’re nearly there, dare I say it, with the Chavez fight in Vegas which I’ve talked about since knocking out Groves. I’m very optimistic that Eddie Hearn will be making an announcement very soon. Carl Froch

“We’re nearly there, dare I say it, with the Chavez fight in Vegas which I’ve talked about since knocking out Groves,” Froch told Sky Sports News HQ.

“I’m very optimistic that Eddie Hearn will be making an announcement very soon.

“That’s the fight that takes me to Las Vegas, it’s the fight I’ve been calling out for since November 2013 so it’s dragged on a fair while. Between beating Mikkel Kessler and fighting Chavez I’ve obviously had the two epic fights with Groves.

“Chavez is a great fighter, one loss in 51 fights, and he’s coming up to a weight he’ll be more comfortable at. That carries dangers and question marks – is he good enough at super-middle?

“Have I still got what it takes to go 12 rounds because it looks like Chavez can survive? He can get through 12 rounds with anybody, he’s very tough like his dad was.

“It’s an intriguing fight – it’s a ‘pick ‘em’. It’s not ‘Froch is definitely going to win’ or ‘Chavez is definitely going to win’.”

Strength to strength

The Nottingham fighter also insisted that meeting Chavez in Vegas may not necessarily be the swansong he previously hinted at.

Chavez deal nearly done

“It’s been a great year, 2014, but now it’s all about finishing my career – or dare I say it, not finishing my career – in Vegas," he added.

“I’ve been talking about retirement since I beat Lucien Bute. I’ve gone from strength to strength since winning that fight and here I am in 2015 talking about a dream fight in Vegas.

“Let’s say I get that fight at the beginning of March, which is being talked about, I beat Chavez in style and I feel great doing it, why would I retire?

“I’m not 47, I’m 37. I still feel fresh, I still feel fit. As long as I can still do what I need to do physically then I’ll continue to box.”

Froch even teased that he has considered future opponents beyond Chavez.

“James DeGale is looking really good, I’m impressed with what he’s doing, he’s improved so much. That’s a massive fight here for Britain.”