‘Cobra’ set for routine fight on home soil

Former WBC super-middleweight champion Carl Froch will not be fighting Lucian Bute this spring and will fight his next bout in the UK, possibly in his home city of Nottingham as the 34 year-old explained on Sky Sports tonight.

Froch, who lost out to Andre Ward in the final of the Super-Six tournament, was tipped to challenge Bute in a two-legged contest for his IBF 168lb title but will now fight in the UK in a warm-up bout before targeting another world belt.

“I’ve fought everywhere recently in big world title fights and I have got some air miles” said Froch on Sky Sports earlier.

“I want a home fight first, possible Nottingham or just in Britain, then on to another world title after that and maybe look at Lucian Bute.”

Bute, 31, could now face Andre Dirrell in April following the American’s decision to promote himself and leave Gary Shaw and adviser Al Haymon to setup his own promotional company.