Carl Froch may vacate IBF super-middleweight world title - Hearn

Froch has not fought since defeating George Groves in May 2014

Carl Froch may still relinquish one of his world titles if he does not retire.

The WBA and IBF super-middleweight champion has admitted he is "wavering" as to whether he will fight on after an elbow injury forced him to pull out of a bout with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Froch, 37, can vacate his IBF belt, ask for an extension to the deadline of 31 January, or set a date for a new fight.

But Froch's promoter Eddie Hearn has ruled out a fight with mandatory IBF challenger James DeGale for now.

"Carl doesn't want to obstruct James but that is not a fight that excites Carl yet," Hearn told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"It may mean vacating the IBF belt and just holding the WBA belt to defend that. But belts aren't overly important to Carl right now. It is more about the fights."

Nottingham fighter Froch last fought in May when he beat George Groves in a rematch at Wembley.

Hearn said another big all-British bout is possible in the future.

"It's a fight a lot of people would like and James is a brilliant young fighter," Hearn said.

"Carl doesn't want to stand in James DeGale's way. James is in a position to fight for the IBF title and I think he should fight for that title in the spring.

"And then you never know. Maybe in the summer Froch-DeGale for the unification is a huge fight in itself."

Froch, nicknamed the Cobra, has lost just two of his 35 fights, with 24 of his 33 wins coming by way of knockout.