Carl Froch wins the IBF super middleweight title after knocking out the former undefeated champion Lucian Bute in the fifth round at the Capital FM Arena in Nottingham, England.
Froch (29-2, 21 KOs) who came off a lopsided loss to Andre Ward, came back strong with a dominating beat down of Lucian Bute and pulled off the upset in spectacular fashion.
Bute (30-1, 24 KOs) had difficulty from the start of the fight trying to find his range and timing, Froch fought off the back foot and was countering and landing right hands at Bute, in rounds one and two both fighters traded blows, with Froch getting the better. Bute was being favored to have the speed and power advantage, but Froch proved that wrong with when he out landed Bute and staggered him in round three having him hold on to recover. In round four Froch batters Bute again, and trapped him on the ropes unleashing combo punches that went unanswered, the referee jumps in to stop the fight due to the bell ringing and Bute walks to his corner on uneasy feet. At the start of round five, Froch times Bute, and once he hurts him, finishes the job and the referee waves the fight off as Bute lay on the ropes out on his feet. There is a rematch clause in the contract for a second bout in Montreal. This is Froch’s third championship title.
