By Phil D. Jay

Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn is deep in negotiations with Lucian Bute’s team for a possible rematch against IBF champion Carl Froch (29-2, 21KOs) in the early part of next year.

Froch, 34, blasted Bute out in five rounds in May to take his coveted title and the Canadian has avoided an immediate return to possibly get back to winning ways before fighting the ‘Cobra’ in 2013, according to Hearn.

"I have had lengthy discussions with Lucian Bute's team this week and it's likely the rematch will take place early in 2013 in Montreal,” Hearn told thisisnottingham.co.uk.

In the meantime, Froch will concentrate on sealing a revenge mission himself against former WBC champion Mikkel Kessler and Hearn hopes to seal a deal to give his fighter home advantage in Nottingham.

"There has been plenty of hype around the Kessler fight,” said Hearn. “It's a fight we all want, but sometimes making a fight of this magnitude isn't always easy.

"Carl would step into the ring with Mikkel at any moment, but meeting his financial demands may cause more of an issue.

"Either way the fight will happen, this year or the next. It's too big a fight and occasion to miss out on."

Phil D. Jay covers boxing for worldboxingnews.net