Carl Froch has opted to vacate his IBF super-middleweight crown – leaving compatriot James DeGale to fight American Andre Dirrell for the title in April.

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DeGale is the mandatory challenger for the IBF crown but Froch has his sights set on a lucrative showdown with former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in Las Vegas.

Froch, whose last bout was his knockout of George Groves in May 2014, was to fight Chavez on March 28 only to suffer an elbow injury.

“It’s been a frustrating couple of weeks with terms agreed for the Chavez fight only for me to be unable to proceed in camp due to injury,” said Froch.

“I know what it’s like to wait for a shot and I didn’t want to hold James up in fighting for a world title.

“James is a great fighter and I hope he can go out and win that title and who knows, we may even meet later in the year.”

Froch still holds the WBA’s ‘regular’ world title, with American boxer Andre Ward the governing body’s ‘super’ champion.

He could also fight veteran superstar Bernard Hopkins this year and promoter Eddie Hearn suggested the bout may take place in Froch’s home town of Nottingham.

“Talks continue with the Chavez camp regarding a summer clash in Las Vegas, and discussions have taken place with Golden Boy Promotions regarding a bumper clash in Nottingham with two-weight world champion legend Bernard Hopkins in the summer,” said Hearn.

DeGale defeated Brandon Gonzales on the undercard of the Froch-Groves re-match last year and is now in negotiations to fight Dirrell, with a bout expected to happen at London’s O2 Arena on April 25.

If he steps aside, DeGale could also face Groves or Mexican Gilberto Ramirez for the belt.

“I’m making history – I’m going to be the first British Olympic gold medallist to win a world title,” he said. “I’m willing to fight anyone. You’re boxing for the world title so whoever it is, it’s going to be hard.”