By Edward Chaykovsky

According to Eddie Hearn, promoter for super middleweight Carl Froch, Showtime has rejected a potential April fight with IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (30-0, 24KOs). The two sides were discussing a potential two-fight deal, with the first coming on April 14th in Montreal and the second time place in August in Nottingham.

Hearn told TVA Sports that Showtime, who have Bute under contract, would prefer to have the Canadian champion fight an American opponent in his next televised match.

"We discussed the fight with Interbox and we even received a draft of the contract. Both boxers want to fight, but I was told Showtime would like to have Bute face an American. They control the situation because they distribute the money. The two sides have agreed, but we can not do anything more for now," Hearn said.