• Super-middleweight

Froch handed Bute boost

ESPN staff
December 20, 2011
Carl Froch could return to action early next year © Getty Images
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The disruption to Carl Froch's career following the defeat to Andre Ward appears minimal, with Lucian Bute's promoter saying the IBF champion's fans want to see him face Froch.

Froch surrendered the WBC super-middleweight title to Ward on Saturday in the Super Six final, losing a unanimous points decision. But in the aftermath, promoter Eddie Hearn was adamant Froch would return in a world title contest in 2012.

Now Bute's handler Jean Bedard has confirmed talks have taken place between himself and Hearn over a potential double-header with Froch next year. Ward was expected to face Bute, but has expressed annoyance at the Canadian's absence from the Super Six, and now that battle appears unlikely.

"Our plan was to fight the winner of the Super Six," Bedard told boxingscene.com. "I see that Andre Ward is not looking to fight Lucian right now, and I can understand that, but I know that honestly here [in Montreal], Carl Froch has a big story, having beaten [Canada's Jean Pascal] and talked bad about Lucian for the past five years.

"So this is the guy the fans here want to see, and it would be an easy promotion. We're definitely working on a plan where Carl can fight in his country in the second fight, too. Our plan is for Lucian to fight in April [in Canada] and, if it's possible, in August."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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