By Marcus Sales: Carl Froch’s promoters Matchroom Sport are currently in negotiations with Lucian Bute’s promoters over an International Boxing Federation (IBF) World title fight, preferably from Carl Froch’s point of view in Nottingham, more realistically however, in another UK city.

Froch has just come off a convincing defeat to the number one 168 pound fighter Andre Ward. The history books will show a close points decision, with two judges inexplicably scoring the contest 115-113 in Ward’s favour. In reality however, I found it difficult to score two rounds in Froch’s favour.

Froch has now been made the mandatory challenger for Bute’s IBF Title. In an interview on Sky Sports Ringside Froch told Adam Smith and Johnny Nelson that he ‘did not rate’ Lucian Bute. I find this very difficult to understand. Everything I have seen of Bute suggests to me he is an elite level fighter with all of the necessary skills to cause Froch numerous problems.

Despite my disagreement with Froch, I suspect it is his frustrations of Bute’s popularity with a less impressive CV than his. Froch has come of an incredible run which has seen victories over Jean Pascal, Andre Dirrell, Jermaine Taylor, Arthur Abraham and Glen Johnson. He is a superb boxer, with an incredible resilience and will to win. He has shown a variety in tactics and ability with his punch perfect performance against Abraham. Unfortunately for him, he came up against a future pound for pound superstar in Andre Ward.

Lucian Bute’s resume is less impressive. Wins over Edison Miranda, Brian Magee and Glen Johnson are impressive but they do not compare to Froch’s victories. Despite this however, I see many aspects of Bute’s game that lead me to the conclusion that he would beat Froch. His hand speed is superior, he seems to have the ability to pick his shots, a trait of all great fighters. A common opponent is Glen Johnson and there can be little doubt that Bute handled Johnson far, far better than Froch did.

Despite Showtime’s seeming reservations, this match up is a natural one. Froch has fought the best in the Super Middleweight division and has come up short against Kessler and Ward. Bute has not done this as of yet. Yes his skills appear to suggest an elite fighter but he has not been tested against the very best. Froch would represent such a test and a genuine 50/50 fight. Such fights are rare and should be welcomed. I just hope Froch’s dismissal of Bute is for show and he would take him as seriously as he did Andre Ward, because I fear the same outcome.