Carl Froch distances himself from James DeGale fight

Super-middleweight world champion Carl Froch does not believe that James DeGale is ready to challenge him, despite the Londoner being the IBF's mandatory challenger.

Froch, 36, successfully defended his IBF and WBA titles with an eighth-round knockout of George Groves in front of 80,000 at Wembley on Saturday night, but doesn't think that DeGale has earned the right to enter the ring with him yet.

"George Groves beat James DeGale and I've just absolutely annihilated George Groves so that's not a big fight," Froch told Sky Sports News.

"James DeGale needs to earn his stripes and fight somebody else before he thinks about fighting me."

Froch's comments may pave the way for DeGale and Groves to seek a rematch if Froch decides to vacate the IBF belt.