Carl Froch has received support from the unlikeliest sources after rivals Lucian Bute, Mikkel Kessler and Saturday's conqueror Andre Ward all offered him lifelines following his crushing defeat by the American.

The Englishman was outclassed by unbeaten WBA champion Ward in Saturday's Super Six final in Atlantic City, losing his WBC super-middleweight title in a unanimous decision defeat.

Nottingham native Froch was visibly devastated by the result but will perhaps be cheered this week by words of support from unexpected allies.

IBF champion Bute is open to a fight with the Englishman if a unification bout with Ward cannot be made quickly and talks are believed to have already begun with Froch's team.

Kessler, who beat Froch in a close thriller in Denmark last year before pulling out of the tournament with injury, would also be interested according to his promoter Kalle Sauerland.

Sauerland, who hopes Kessler takes the WBO title against Robert Stieglitz in April, said: "It's funny because the final at the weekend was not really the end of the Super Six. There are so many questions left.

"Froch and Kessler is a fight we've got to see again. Wherever the venue is, it is the sort of fight that is made for fans.

"I think you could even do a part two and a part three with one in the UK and one in Denmark, wherever it makes sense and you'll get a big crowd.

"I would obviously love for Mikkel to get a belt around his waist again but I also think Froch vs. Kessler is a fight that doesn't need belts to sell. It's a war.

"Carl has come out of the tournament with a big name. His brand value has increased hundred-fold so I think he should still see himself as a winner, not a loser.

"The fairest option could be one in England and one in Denmark."

Ward fighting against Canada-based Romanian Bute would seem to be the logical next step but neither man likes to concede home advantage.

Bute against 34-year-old Froch would sell huge numbers in Quebec or England, however.

"I'm Carl's best opportunity now," said the unbeaten IBF champion.

"He put in a good fight, with 115-113 by two judges, and he reached the Super Six final between the best super-middleweights.

"Right now I'm his biggest payday but I'm the champion right now and if Carl Froch wants to become a world champion again then he's going to have to fight me."

Bute added: "It would be logical for me to fight Ward and Kessler and Froch to fight, then the winners meet, but sometimes boxing is political rather than logical so it's about money, timing and TV, so we'll see."

Froch said: "I'd definitely take the fight with Bute, 100 percent. It's a fight I'd want."

Despite being comprehensively beaten by American Ward - albeit with two judges scoring it too close at 115-113 - Froch has gained huge respect around the world for his performances over the last three years.

Indeed, he remains more of a box office draw than the awkward and under-appreciated Ward.

Ward himself said he would be "absolutely" open to a rematch with Froch despite the ease of his victory while the Briton is understandably keen for a chance to address the defeat.

"When you get beaten you always want to avenge the loss," Froch said.

"Because you come away from the fight and see where you went wrong and now I need to go back and have a look at it.

"Obviously as a fighter, a warrior and a man who is proud, then I want to try to put it straight. But the fight has just happened, it's been and gone and we can't yet talk about it happening again. Andre has won the fight fair and square but certainly it's something I'd like in the future.

"You've not seen the end of me, that's for sure."