On May 26 Carl Froch (28-2, 20 KO´s) is stepping back into the ring at the Captial FM Arena in Nottingham. After his defeat to the American Andre Ward in the Final of the Super Six tournament, he will now be facing the current IBF champion Lucian Bute (30-0, 24 KO´s). For the first time since 2004, the undefeated super-middleweight will be taking on an opponent on foreign soil, after having fought all of his previous encounters in his adopted homeland Canada or native Romania.

Bute himself is looking to gain more respect on an international level by fighting outside of Montreal. “I have been criticized for not fighting away from home,” the 32-year-old said. “I remember when Joe Calzaghe fought away from home at the end of his career. He received the respect he deserved for doing that and that is what I am looking to do as well.”

Meanwhile, Carl Froch is very happy that Bute is willing to fight him on his home turf. “He has not often fought outside of his hometown,” said the former WBC world champion. “He is either very stupid or very confident. I think he is very confident and he is the champion, so why not be confident.”

Of course the “Cobra” is also counting on his home advantage. His last bout in Nottingham was in 2009. Back then he was victorious over Andre Dirrell. “It is great to be back in Nottingham, it has been too long,” he stated. “I am so pumped up for the fight.”