I agree, I don't think anybody reasonable could think that Calzaghe ducked Froch because he was afraid of losing. At the time, Calzaghe was the World number 1, a big star, and his hands were starting to 'go'. Froch was just starting out and was a nobody, so why would Calzaghe see him as a possible opponent?

I do believe that Froch thought he would win, and I do believe that Calzaghe thought he would win.

Both turned out to be great champions, but in slightly different eras.