Nottingham Arena, Nottingham - Carl Froch (29-2, 21KOs) demolished previously undefeated Lucian Bute (30-1, 24KOs) in five rounds to capture the IBF super middleweight title. Froch becomes a three time world champion.
This was the first defense for Bute on hostile ground. There is a rematch clause which gives Bute a direct rematch in Montreal. Bute's big flaw, his chin, was exposed in the fight as he was unable to take any of Froch's big punches.
A fast start by both, with Froch taking chances by coming inside with both hands swinging. Bute had good counters, showing his defense and willing to stay on the inside. In the second, Bute showed his class with accurate punches landing hard, but Froch displayed his power by stinging Bute with every power punch that landed flush.
Froch started unloading with big shots in the third round. Bute's legs were shaky, he was buzzed and holding on. Froch was doing everything in his power trying to stop Bute against the ropes, but he couldn't finish him before the bell.
Froch was pressing on in the fourth with hard punches. Bute was unable to withstand the big punches of Froch and the bell saved him in the final ten seconds. At the end of the round, there was swelling and damage around Bute's left round.
At the start of the fifth, Froch started battering Bute against the ropes and the referee finally jumped in to stop the fight as Bute was starting to go down.
