Cobra comeback: Froch considers DeGale super-middleweight clash

The former world champion has not entered the ring since dispatching George Groves at Wembley last year, but a returning encounter with DeGale may prove too tempting to decline, though he claims he isn’t looking beyond 2016.

“I always said, ‘Once I’ve retired, I won’t come back,’ but just lately now, 18 months on from my last fight, I’m starting to think to myself, ‘You know what? I’m fit, I’m strong, I’m in good shape,’” continued the Cobra.

Froch worried about nobody

“There’s nobody at my weight where I’m thinking ‘I’m worried about him’, not even Andre Ward.”

Previously returning WBA champion Ward handed Froch the second of his two career defeats back in 2011, winning by unanimous decision, and has recently had to pull out of his scheduled bout on the Miguel Cotto versus Canelo Alvarez undercard. Although, it’s DeGale that Froch wants.

“If I did fancy it, I’m thinking spring next year, get Christmas out of the way. I’m training every day. I’m not doing much punching but my fitness is up.

“If I was going to fight again, and it’s a big if, I’d be ready for next year. Another slice of the action, another snippet in the limelight, a massive fight, all the attention on me – I’m not an attention-seeker but it’s just relighting that old flame.

DeGale beating Bute is motivation

“I’m not missing it. I’m not saying I’m going to come back and fight again but, if I was going to, it’d have to be next year or the door’s definitely shut.

“I did always say, ‘Never say never,’ and there comes a point when I can and that’s the end of next year.

“But it’s a big if. I might just stick with poker. The desire’s gone, it’s getting the desire back, what would I need? It might be DeGale beating Bute, coming back and mouthing off.”

In Canada, DeGale will put his IBF belt on the line against its former holder Bute, where the Romanian-born fighter is 4/1 to reclaim it, but a victory for the Hammersmith southpaw could see him collide with ‘the Cobra’ next Spring, in what could be a truly great British showdown.

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Coral’s top tip: James DeGale will have extra motivation to topple Lucian Bute, with a British bout with Carl Froch potentially on the cards next year, so back him @ 1/6 to triumph here.