By William Mackay: Former WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch would like to fight IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute next in May. However, according to Dan Rafael, there likely won’t be enough money for both fighters with the Showtime money being there due to their disinterest in this fight.

Froch just wants to fight in May in his home city of Nottingham. However, Bute and his promoter really want the Froch fight no matter what and are willing to travel to Nottingham, England to make it happen. But the money might not be there to make it worthwhile for Froch.

Bute will obviously be fine because of the Canadian television money, but that may not leave enough for Froch to get a decent payday. Given that the fight is really risky one for Froch, getting less than a big payday might make this fight not worth the trouble at this time. Froch needs to reestablish his career and get some wins behind him after suffering a one-sided 12 round decision loss to WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward last December. Showtime would likely be interested in televising a Bute-Froch fight if Froch was coming off of a win instead of a loss. There’s also the problem with Bute’s fight contract with Showtime about to end. They want to get the best possible fight given that he only has one left, and they’re likely saving that fight for when Bute and Ward eventually meet up. Showtime probably doesn’t want to waste the fight with Bute facing Froch, who just lost and will likely lose again.

Froch’s promoter Eddie Hearn from Matchroom Sport, told ESPN writer Rafael “[We’re] quite happy to sit back and watch it all play out. Carl is preparing for May regardless.”

It might be better for Froch to fight someone else in May rather than taking the small money to fight Bute.