Promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested that Carl Froch could retire as soon as next week after being stripped of his WBA super-middleweight belt.

The WBA declared the belt, not defended since Froch beat British rival George Groves at Wembley last May, vacant on Friday ahead of this weekend's bout between Fedor Chudinov and Felix Sturm.

Froch vacated his IBF strap at the start of the year in order to pursue other options and has made it clear that he is ready to step away from the ring if he cannot find a suitable next fight.

Hearn has hinted that this latest development could bring forward a decision on the 38-year-old's future.

"There's no guarantee he'll fight again," he 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."

Froch is the mandatory challenger for the WBA 'super' belt, providing that champion Andre Ward overcomes Paul Smith next month.