Kelly Pavlik: Former champion has been calling out Carl Froch

Carl Froch has confirmed former undisputed middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik is one of several possible opponents for the first defence of his world title later this year.

Froch has told Radio Nottingham that he will likely defend his IBF super-middleweight strap in his home town on November 3 or a week later.

The 35-year-old revealed talks are still ongoing with promoter Eddie Hearn regarding an opponent, although the fighter would love to take on American Pavlik, who has been trash-talking the 'Cobra' in the media.

"Pavlik has been calling me out, so I'd like to shut him up," Froch said. "If we can get him over to Nottingham, that's one the fans would want. He's just one name, and there are a couple of other names that Eddie's looking at."

Froch already has a rematch with Lucian Bute pencilled in for next spring, while he is hoping to lure Mikkel Kessler to Nottingham next summer.

Pavlik, meanwhile, is on a four-fight winning streak after re-dedicating his career following defeat to Sergio Martinez and finding problems outside the ring, re-locating from his home town in Ohio to San Francisco.

'The Ghost' is rarely in a bad fight and has fought twice within the past six weeks, most recently winning a 10-rounder against Will Rosinsky.