Pavlik will move up within a year. Froch should fight winnable fights in the meantime because Pavlik would be a mega pay day and a winnable fight for him
I'd keep away from that Bika guy. He's pretty relentless and gave Calzaghe fits. High risk, little reward. He might as well go for the biggest fights at 168 and then maybe move up to light heavyweight. A good tactic maybe would be to take a gimme in Nottingham next. Then a challenge against Pascal if he wins the WBC at 175lbs. If Froch was to lose that he would still keep the 168lbs title. If he won, he would be a dual champion and even more fights would open up. After those two, which should set him up quite well, some bigger fights, possible unifications. He needs to minimise any possible loss, and try to prolong his career earning potential. We don't want another Witter situation.
Why does Froch have to fight a mandatory, he beat the current number 4 and he beat Taylor who was number 1. He should be clear of mandatories for now. I would go for Mundine.
Froch should stay fighting in US or Canada where he is developing a following. A fight with another American maybe Pavlik. If he was really ambitious then he could try Hopkins. That would catapult him into the mega bucks if he won. Unfortunately I dont think he would win. But if he did....