Team Bute: Lucian Prepared for Hell From Nottingham Fans

By Edward Chaykovsky

IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (30-0, 24KOs) is expecting hell from the Nottingham fans on May 26th at the Nottingham Arena. Bute will defend his title against hometown hero Carl Froch (28-2, 20KOs).

Bute's trainer, Stephan Larouche, has made it clear to his fighter that it might get rough as he walks to the ring on fight night. Even Bute's loyal fans are advising the popular boxer to step away from fighting Froch in his backyard.

“I know things will bother Lucian,” said Larouche to the Montreal Gazette. “He knows that people may spit when he goes to the ring. They might throw beer, yell and insult him. He won’t get positive energy. But when the fight starts, it’s one against one. That’s what fighting should be about. Quebecers are funny. They blame Lucian for fighting at home and now that he’s going away, they say we’re stupid."

Froch believes Bute is either very confident, or very stupid, to fight him on Nottingham soil. Larouche expects a very hard fight but believes Bute's speed is the key to victory.

“We’ve got a major task on the table. We know that. We’re not stupid,” Larouche said. “In boxing, most of the time, speed is hard to beat. We’ll rely on our speed.”