Before they met in the ring, former WBC champ
Carl Froch claimed previously unbeaten IBF super middleweight
Lucian Bute was overrated. After completely dominating and stopping Bute in five rounds, it looks like perhaps the cocky Froch may have been correct. The first two rounds were somewhat even with both fighters landing shots, but Froch looking the heavier-handed of the two. Froch took over in rounds three and four before finishing off Bute in round five with a series of punches that left the former champ reeling and virtually defenseless along the ropes. Referee Earl Brown initially waved the fight off - prompting Froch's promoter to run into the ring to celebrate - only to then begin a standing eight count. Controversy was avoided, however, as Bute's trainer also entered the ring to save his fighter as Bute was in no condition to continue.
Give Bute credit for finally leaving his comfort zone and traveling to Froch's hometown of Nottingham, England for his 10th title defense ... a decision he is likely second-guessing. There is a rematch clause for Froch-Bute II in Montreal, but given the brutal nature of the KO, it remains to be seen whether Bute will want to exercise that clause immediately or take some time off to recover and rebuild his confidence.
One other thought: undefeated WBC/WBA super middleweight Andre Ward champ, who scored a one-sided decision over Froch in December, should have immediately proceeded to a fight with Bute to completely clean out the division rather than letting Froch remove Bute from the picture as a big money opponent. Instead, Ward may face light heavyweight champ Chad Dawson at a catchweight. Dawson will pose a bigger risk in the ring and produce a smaller paycheck for Ward ... not a good combination.
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