American super-middleweight Andre Dirrell has defeated Derek Edwards on points in an eliminator for Carl Froch's IBF title.
Dirrell, who suffered his only professional defeat to Froch in 2009, earned a unanimous points victory over his opponent to put himself in line for a world title opportunity next year.
The 31-year-old is keen to secure a rematch with Froch, but the current title holder, who last fought against George Groves in May, is expected to vacate his belt in order to face Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in Las Vegas at the end of March.
With James DeGale currently possessing the status of mandatory challenger, a contest between the Brit and Dirrell could be made for the spring, but negotiations aren't expected to run smoothly with Dirrell insisting that he won't fight in England.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has also thrown up the possibility of attempting to make a rematch between DeGale and Groves for April, but as of yet, Groves has shown no signs of giving up his mandatory position for Anthony Dirrell's WBC title.
Darren Plant
