Bute to defend Super Middle crown against Froch in UK

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that IBF Super Middleweight champion Lucian Bute will travel to Nottingham, England to defend his crown against former champion Carl Froch on May 26th.

“It’s my goal to fight the best boxers in the super middleweight division,” Bute said Thursday. “Carl Froch belongs in the elite of the super middleweight division and it will be a great fight. I am very confident and it will not faze me fighting in enemy territory.

“Supporters of Carl Froch will live their greatest disappointment. The IBF belt will fly roundtrip Montreal-Nottingham and back.”

“We are delighted to have agreed to terms for what I believe will be the biggest night for British boxing in many years,” said Eddie Hearn, Froch’s promoter. “I have to respect Lucian and his team for agreeing to enter the lion’s den and face Carl in his hometown of Nottingham, but am fully confident that Carl can become a world champion again on this epic night.”

“It’s a dream come true to get this opportunity to become a three-time world champion in my hometown of Nottingham,” Froch said. “The Super Six was an incredible journey for me but I missed fighting in the UK and it was important that Eddie and I made that happen, and for it to be for a world title is the icing on the cake. I’m ready to go to war all over again.

“Andre Ward wants Lucian to fight an A-level fighter. This should happen in May, and after he will have no more excuses to avoid Lucian,” said Jean Bedard of InterBox, Bute’s promoter.

“We really wanted to press forward with this fight. We’ve been insistent, made some concessions, but it was important to realize this is a fight that Lucian, our fans and our partners wanted,” Bedard said. “Also, I am convinced that Lucian will silence the critics. Lucian is showing great courage in agreeing to defend his title in enemy territory.”

“It is great news that Carl has landed this fight as it is one that we have wanted for a long time,” said Rob McCracken, Froch’s trainer. “I have always been confident that Carl will beat Lucian, and I will have him fully prepared and in the best possible shape on May 26.

“Lucian has already fought outside Canada in his professional career,” Larouche said. “This is a great challenge ahead for him on May 26 and Lucian will perform to his fullest as he always does. The style of these two incredible fighters will make for an explosive fight that I am sure boxing fans around the world won’t want to miss.”