[VIDEO] Carl Froch – Lucian Bute Weigh-In & Prediction

Froch- 167.3 pounds

Bute- 167.7 pounds

Prediction: It’s a travesty this fight couldn’t find a home on Showtime or HBO. Despite having nine defenses of his IBF title, this a defining fight for Lucian Bute. After being excluded from the Super Six tournament, he’s been viewed as a champion who hasn’t faced the elite super middleweights. A victory tomorrow night shatters that criticism. On Froch’s end, he has the opportunity to win a major title before his hometown fans and erase the disappointment in losing the Super Six final to Andre Ward.

Froch’s best assets are his chin and stamina. He’ll have to set a brisk pace and hope to wear out Bute by getting inside. Although the Cobra’s boxing skill is underrated (see the Kessler and Abraham bouts), Bute has the better offensive arsenal on the outside and mid-range. Bute will want to turn this into a boxing contest where he can counter the slower Froch and time his rushes with those patented and lethal uppercuts to the body.

The last time Froch fought at home, his fans helped him rebound from a shaky start against Andre Dirrell to pull out a disputed split decision. He’ll be equally emboldened by the crowd and find success whenever he can get Bute trapped on the ropes.

Both guys like to keep their lead lefts low, so both will be stunned occasionally by jabs and right hands. With Bute being the harder puncher, expect his connects to do more damage in those instances.

Froch has an excellent chin, but I expect there to be more boxing than slugging on his part tomorrow night. He’ll be wary of Bute’s power, especially to the body, and in a tactical contest I envision Bute landing the cleaner shots. A hometown influence on the judging can’t be dismissed, but the prediction is Lucian Bute leaving Nottingham with a unanimous decision win.