Carl Froch stripped of WBA belt after failing to defend title

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Froch has claimed 24 knockouts in his 33 professional wins

Carl Froch has been stripped of his WBA super-middleweight belt for not defending his title and could announce his retirement next week.

The British fighter, who has already given up his IBF belt, has not fought since defeating George Groves at Wembley nearly a year ago.

A clash with Julio Chavez Jr in Las Vegas in March fell through because of the 37-year-old's elbow injury.

"There's no guarantee he'll fight again," said promoter Eddie Hearn.

Hearn also told Sky Sports News: "We have no problem with the decision from the WBA. They need to keep their belts active and that's not possible with Carl's current position.

"Carl has been out of the ring for nearly a year now. It's likely we will make a further announcement regarding Carl's future over the next week or so."

A rematch with Andre Ward, the WBA super champion, still remains a possibility for Froch, if the American defeats British fighter Paul Smith in Oakland, California, on 20 June.

Ward beat Froch, who has won 33 of his 35 bouts, in a unanimous decision in December 2011.

Nottingham boxer Froch vacated his IBF super-middleweight belt in February and mandatory challenger James DeGale, 29, will fight American Andre Dirrell for the belt in Boston on 23 May.

Meanwhile, the WBA announced Fedor Chudinov and Felix Sturm will fight on Saturday for the super-middleweight title vacated by Froch, in Frankfurt, Germany.