Carl Froch has revealed that Joe Calzaghe turned down a 'seven-figure sum' to fight him following an offer from boxing chief Turki Alalshikh.
Froch retired from the sport back in July 2015, having won 33 of his 35 fights.
As for Calzaghe, the 53-year-old stepped away in February 29 with an undefeated record of 46 victories - with 32 of those triumphs coming via knockout.
There's been plenty of speculation that the duo could one day lock horns, in a match that would likely intrigue many around the country.
Boxing news: Carl Froch has opened up after seeing a potential fight with Joe Calzaghe collapse
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Yet Froch says that, while Calzaghe initially agreed to face him, he later performed a U-turn - despite being offered a 'seven-figure' sum.
"Turki made Joe Calzaghe a good offer for the fight, and he said he took the fight and Joe agreed to the number, it was big money," he told Action Network.
"He got offered seven figures six months ago.
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"Turki told me Joe then went home and spoke to his wife about it and that was it, he wasn’t fighting, and the fight was off.
"He didn’t fancy it or feels like his hands are too sore or didn’t fancy getting cobra’d."
Froch was then asked if he's 'gutted' that the showdown didn't materialise.
Boxing news: Carl Froch harbours no grudge against Joe Calzaghe
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While the veteran did want to do battle with Calzaghe, he also understands his opponent's reluctance to come out of retirement.
"I don’t think if I’m honest that it was to do with me personally but more himself," he continued.
"The reason he didn’t want to fight was more because of him and his wife, he’s 50-odd years old and his hands were f****d when he was active so he wouldn’t be able to train properly.
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"I don’t think he was worried about fighting me. In reality, for somebody in their 50s to come out of retirement when he’s had the Hall of Fame career that he’s had and retired undefeated then if he is motivated by money which he doesn’t seem to be (then why would you?).
"After speaking to Darren Barker, who’s a good friend of Joe Calzaghe’s, he seems like a real sound guy who is not materialistic at all, and is happy and content in life, so why would he risk going into the ring and potentially tarnishing his legacy or by going into the ring with me?
Boxing news: Carl Froch won 33 of his 35 career bouts during his prime years in the sport
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"We’re both past our best, I’m an old man and he’s older than me.
"I’m not going to give him any s**t. He had a fantastic career; he was a great fighter and I have a lot of respect and admiration for him."
