By Edward Chaykovsky
Promoter Jean Bedard of InterBox gives credit to former two-time WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch (28-2, 20KOs) - because the British boxer agreed to fight IBF champion Lucian Bute (30-0, 24KOs) on May 26th. And Bute made substantial concessions to get a deal done, as he travels to Froch's backyard at the Capital FM Arena in Nottingham.
Bedard hopes the move by Bute will crush the recent complains from the critics who claim Bute is unwilling to take a dangerous fight outside of Canada. He also hopes that win over Froch will open the door for a fall clash between Bute and WBA/WBC champion Andre Ward.
"We had to concede that the fight would take place [Nottingham]. But ultimately, this is what Lucian wanted. His primary objective is to be recognized among the best at 168. Lucian could have made a decision to stay quiet and wait for Andre Ward in the fall, with a large purse and American TV - but he wants to fight. He just turned 32, and he is ready to face such challenges and the fans are ready for this fight. I can tell you that he's not doing it for the money, he is doing something for his supporters," Bedard told QMI Agency.
"[Lucian] does not want to waste his time. He wants to face the big names. He said that in 2012 he wants to compete against the best at 168 pounds. Unfortunately, Andre Ward does not want to box against us right now, so Carl Froch was the ideal opponent. [Froch] has shown that he is extremely courageous. He agreed to deal with Lucian, although at home, it was something that Ward did not want to do, and Mikkel Kessler also wanted to avoid. If going through Carl Froch is the key to go to Andre Ward, we'll do it."
