Bunce believes Bute will be one fight too many for rest-less Froch
Published:Carl Froch is a 7/4 underdog to become a world champion again in the super-middleweight division this weekend and boxing pundit Steve Bunce thinks this is fair as he is likely to come up short against Lucian Bute.
Bute is taking some big risks in the fight, with the chief factors seemingly against him being the calibre of opponent and the location in which it is taking place.
The IBF champion has rarely left Canada in making nine successful defences of his belt and remaining unbeaten through 30 bouts and will have never previously experienced the hostile atmosphere that is likely to lie in wait in Nottingham.
Furthermore, the battle represents a step up in class for Bute, as these title defences have come against a range of fighters that are below the elite level.
This is not something that can be said of Froch, who has been busy taking on the best in the super middleweight ranks since claiming a first world title by beating Jean Pascal in 2008.
However, it is this extensive run of tough fights that Bunce feels could be Froch’s downfall.
Froch has fought six times since this title success and in the process has gone a draining 84 rounds against top names including Andre Ward, Jermain Taylor and Andre Dirrell.
In the same timeframe, Bute has only endured 38 rounds in five fights, meaning he heads to Nottingham a lot fresher and without the same possible doubts regarding his ability.
Alongside, being two years younger, Bute also seems to have the edge in terms of speed and if he can keep the fight at distance behind a jab, while landing his trademark body shots, the encounter is likely to sway in his favour.
Bute is 1/2 in the boxing odds to triumph and a victory would take him one step closer to a challenge with Ward, who looks undoubtedly to be the best in the super middleweight division at present.
