Weighing Up the Pros and Cons of Carl Froch Making a Comeback in 2016

When Carl Froch announced his retirement in July, it hardly came as a surprise.

The super middleweight had not fought since May 2014, when he knocked out fellow Englishman George Groves in front of 80,000 people at Wembley, London (you may have heard him mention it once or twice since).

A potential rematch with Andre Ward never materialised, while friendly foe Mikkel Kessler was no longer lacing up the gloves, ruling out the possibility of a third instalment in their rivalry.

There was talk of a clash with Bernard Hopkins, too, perhaps in Froch’s home city of Nottingham, and even Gennady Golovkin’s name was mentioned as a possible opponent.

In the end, though, Froch decided to call it a day.

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He told BBC Radio 5 live after the announcement: "I turned 38 last week. My joints and bones are aching. If the desire was there, I could fight again but there's nothing motivating me. I've got nothing left to prove and I'm bowing out at the top."

The Cobra got out at the perfect time. He boasted a 33-2 (24 knockouts) record, but more importantly, he gained a reputation as a warrior who never took a backward step.

Froch had fought in two wars with Kessler, splitting the series one apiece, and pulled off a sensational final-round stoppage against Jermain Taylor when seemingly just seconds away from defeat.

He went out a winner, when defending his IBF and WBA titles against Groves in a pay-per-view event that finished with a chilling knockout in the eighth round.

Froch moved into the media, working for Sky Sports as a ringside analyst, and his young family expanded again, as he and fiancee Rachael Cordingley had a third child together in September.

There was plenty to fill his time without boxing. Well, so we all thought.

Per Declan Warrington of the Press Association (h/t Daily Mail), the 38-year-old has hinted at a comeback—a hint about as subtle as a brick:

"

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'.

There's nobody at my weight where I'm thinking 'I'm worried about him', not even Andre Ward.

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.

"

Froch also suggested it would be a “one-fight comeback." James DeGale, the man who currently holds the IBF title that was once in the Cobra’s possession, seems the most likely opponent.

But does it make any sense for Froch to don the gloves again?

When great names are tempted back into the ring, it’s normally for two reasons: money, or their inabilities to fill the voids left by boxing.

In announcing his return in 2012, Ricky Hatton said, "It's about more than money, this comeback. People say nice things about me but they don't know what's been going on in between my ears."

The Hitman, though, was a different case to Froch. He admitted he was fighting again to “redeem” himself. He had struggled to live with the lasting memory of being knocked out by Manny Pacquiao in his last outing.

However, Froch has no need to exorcise the ghost of a heartbreaking loss.

He had signed off in style, putting an emphatic end to his feud with Groves (in front of a fairly big audience at a famous venue, right Carl?).

Hatton should also act as a warning. The Mancunian looked like his old self against Vyacheslav Senchenko...for a few rounds. Eventually, though, a body shot saw him succumb to defeat.

Hatton promptly retired again in the immediate aftermath. Per BBC Sport, he said, "I needed one more fight to see if I had still got it—and I haven't."

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Perhaps the prospect of seeing DeGale defeat Lucian Bute in Quebec, Canada, this month is eating at Froch.

He enjoyed one of his career highlights against Bute. Back in action for the first time since losing to Ward, Froch upset the odds in his hometown of Nottingham, England, to claim the IBF title in 2011.

Froch didn't just beat Bute; he annihilated him. The former champion didn't even opt to activate a rematch clause.

Now DeGale holds the same IBF belt. His first defence takes place on November 28 against Bute, who has never been the same since his beating at the hands of Froch.

But DeGale now has extra motivation to retain his crown. He has a carrot dangled in front of him: Win on Canadian soil, talk up a potential clash with Froch and hope the former champion obliges in agreeing to a huge, money-spinning fight in 2016.

Froch is already thinking about times and places, telling talkSPORT, per Alex Varney, "James DeGale is fighting my old opponent for my old belt so why not give him a pasting at Wembley next spring."

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DeGale is a foe who shouldn’t be underestimated. He may have lost to Groves earlier in his career, but Chunky is a slick southpaw who could cause problems to any of the top super middleweights.

Froch will reckon he can walk down his compatriot and overpower him. He would not fear his opponent’s power, instead backing his chin to weather whatever came his way.

He still walks around in good shape, too. Fitness wouldn’t be a problem; it’s all about if he still has the desire. That, though, is a big "if."

Froch has no need to further his reputation with one more fight—and is DeGale even worth the risk?

A rematch with Ward would make sense, giving Froch the chance to avenge a defeat to the American in the Super Six final in 2011.The opportunity to take on Golovkin would also seem too good to refuse. A win over either would be Froch’s crowning glory, and even a loss wouldn't spoil his legacy.

Froch may have initially said he would never be back in a ring, but professional sportsmen find it tough to plug the gap of competing. It is an itch they cannot seem to scratch—just ask Hatton.

Only Froch knows if he truly wants to fight again. The boxing world will have to wait a little longer to find out his decision.