Photos: Herby Whyne
Former WBC champion Carl Froch (29-2, 21 KOs) dethroned previously unbeaten IBF super middleweight Lucian Bute (30-1, 24 KOs) with a brutal fifth round TKO on Saturday night at the Capital FM Arena in Nottingham, England. Spirited rounds one and two with both boxers landing big shots. Froch staggered Bute in round three and had the champion desperately holding on. Froch had Bute reeling again at the end of round four. “The Cobra” finished the job in the fifth when he battered Bute on the ropes and the bout was waved off. Time was 1:05.
There is a rematch clause for a return bout in Montreal. Froch is now a three-time world champion. Froch’s promoter Eddie Hearn ran into the ring as referee Earl Brown’s count was being administered. Will the Bute camp protest?
