Lucian Bute Eyes Froch vs Ward Winner For Early 2012

By Ruslan Chikov

IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (29-0, 24KOs) has promised to unify the titles in early 2012, and then he wants to return to Romania to make a unified title defense. On Saturday night he defended his title in Bucharest, retaining the belt for the eight time with a fourth round knockout of mandatory challenger Jean Paul Mendy.

There are ongoing discussions for Bute to defend his title in the fall against former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik. Bute's early target in 2012, is the winner of the Super Six unification between 168-pound champion Carl Froch and Andre Ward, which is scehduled for October 29.

"I've been in sports for 15 years, but I've felt like I did [on Saturday fighting in Bucharest]. I am proud that I made everyone happy throughout Romania. Ever since I became a world champion, I wanted to defend my title in Romania. My dream was fulfilled, but now I want to unify the belts and I'll do it next year. I promise that I will bring back at least two belts to Romania," said Bute.