It seems that the retirement of Carl Froch could be looming nearer after the latest developments in the boxing world. The 37-year-old has seen his WBA super-middleweight belt taken away from him as a result of his failure to defend the title. The news comes after the British fighter had previously relinquished his IBF belt and with his last fight now being almost twelve months ago, many are predicting that he may have hung up his gloves for good.
There is no doubting Froch's record and durability inside the ring, after a sparkling boxing career.
He has been rated by aficionados of the noble art as the best pound-for-pound British boxer in recent years and rated in the top ten pound-for-pound boxers in the world. Four times a world champion in the super-middleweight division, he ranks as one of the best British boxers of all time.
Yet as with all great sportsman, there comes a time when the decision to retire or not becomes more of a pressing issue. Especially so in the sometimes brutal sport of boxing, where the temptation to stay on for one more challenge and one more payday can sway the decision, sometimes to the detriment of the fighter. It may not yet be quite that time for Froch, but his eloquence and good sense may tell him otherwise.
Nottingham-born Froch last fought at Wembley at the end of May in 2014, when he defeated George Groves for the second time. It was a much-improved performance, after some had been critical of his earlier display against the same man in November 2013. On that occasion Froch had been knocked down by the younger fighter, but had recovered to take the victory by a technical knock-out ('TKO').
Fight observers noted that the referee seemed to end the fight rather prematurely in the first fight, with several expert analysers also having Groves ahead at the time of the bout being ended. In the aftermath, a re-match was ordered by the IBF.
The re-match was far more conclusive, with Froch adopting a more professional approach to his work, clearly being more aware of his rival's potential second time around.
Froch delivered "the best punch you will ever see in a British boxing ring," according to Mike Costello's description of the knock-out blow for the BBC.
It was thought that Froch's rejuvenated appeal to the boxing public, as a result of the Groves' result, might lead to further 'headline' fights. Indeed a planned pairing with Julio Chavez Jr had been agreed for March this year in Las Vegas. Sadly for Froch's fans it never took place, as an elbow injury prevented Froch from facing the dangerous 29-year-old Mexican.
Froch's wonderful professional record of 33 wins and just two losses should be put into some context. Many of those fights were against top-class opposition. His only losses were in world title fights against the Dane Mikkel Kessler and the American Andre Ward.
He subsequently beat Kessler in a re-match. Ward remains unbeaten and was rated in the top three pound-for-pound boxers in the world in 2013, with the classy Floyd Mayweather top.
If this is the last to be seen of Froch in the ring, the star pugilist can leave with his head held high.