On Monday, the International Boxing Federation ordered IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch (31-2, 22 KO’s) to start negotiations to defend his IBF title against mandatory challenger George Groves (19-0, 15 KO’s). The IBF gave a firm deadline by July 12th for Froch and Groves to come to an agreement for the fight unless he wants to lose his title by having it stripped from him.
Froch’s promoter Eddie Hearn appears to be open to the idea of Froch facing Groves this year. After all, Hearn promotes both fighters so it’s an easy fight to make, and it’s one that he’s very interested in putting together. It could be the passing of the baton between the 35-year-old Froch and the 25-year-old Groves.