Froch in Bute Montreal March Rematch

Carl Froch has confirmed he will fight Lucian Bute in a rematch next March in Montreal but will meet an unnamed opponent in Nottingham before that.

Froch, 34, became a three-time world champion with an impressive fifth-round stoppage of Bute in May.

“That was not the real Lucian Bute in that Nottingham ring on 26 May”Lucian ButeBeaten champion

Bute, who suffered his first career defeat against Froch, had not been expected to trigger his rematch clause after suffering a sustained beating.

Both fights will be for Froch's newly acquired IBF super-middleweight title.

Despite being the underdog in his home city of Nottingham Froch stunned Bute with a relentless onslaught.

Bute was saved by the bell in rounds three and four, before his corner called a halt in the fifth as he was receiving a standing count.

Bute insisted: "That was not the real Lucian Bute in that Nottingham ring on 26 May.

"I spent the last few weeks reflecting about what went wrong, what happened, and the only thing that is crystal clear in my mind is that I want my rematch with Carl Froch as soon as possible."

Froch said before their first meeting that the Nottingham crowd would intimidate Bute and he will have to deal with the same situation in the rematch, with the fight scheduled for Bute's adopted home city.

Bute, 32, was born in Pechea, Romania, but now fights out of Montreal in Canada.

Froch is keen on a rematch with Mikkel Kessler this autumnaccording to promoter Eddie Hearn - in 2010 the Dane inflicted the Briton's first defeat with a unanimous points victory in Herning.

Froch and Bute Weigh-in Under

Carl Froch and Lucian Bute both came in under the 12st limit on the eve of their super-middleweight title fight.

In front of a rowdy audience in sweltering Nottingham, Froch made the weight at 11st 13lb 5oz while IBF champion Bute tipped the scales just seven ounces heavier.

The unbeaten Romanian can expect a hostile atmosphere when he steps into the ring with hometown fighter Froch at the Capital FM Arena on Saturday night.

But the challenger's fans were outsung - if not outnumbered - at the weigh-in as a group of supporters welcomed Bute for what is just a second title defence outside his adopted home in Canada.

Froch told Sky Sports News it would be a different story come Saturday, saying: "My fans will definitely bring the best out in me - it lifts you, and every time you land with your shots you're rewarded for your success.

"On the flip side if Bute has any success, which I don't want him to, it'll be absolutely silent apart from his few fans, so he'll be drowned out and feeling the pressure.

"He's never been there - he's boxed in front of big crowds, but they're always on his side. To be against it is a totally different story."

Froch Gets Home Fight Night

Nottingham's Carl Froch is to fight in his home town for the first time in three years after getting a shot at the IBF world super-middleweight title.

The 34-year-old boxer has been lined up to face Canadian-based Romanian Lucian Bute at the Capital FM Arena on 26 May.

Froch has not fought in Nottingham since 2009, when he handed American Andre Dirrell a first career defeat.

He has since fought in Denmark, Finland and the United States, where he reached the final of the Super Six tournament.

But, having lost his WBC belt to Andre Ward in December, he now has a crack at the IBF version against the unbeaten Bute, in front of his own supporters, on a bill engineered by his new promoter Eddie Hearn.

"It's a dream come true to get this opportunity to become a three-time world champion in my home town of Nottingham," said Froch, excited at finally returning to the scene of his first WBC title victory, against Jean Pascal in December 2008.

"The Super Six was an incredible journey for me but I missed fighting in the UK."

"It was important I made that happen - and for it to be for a world title is the icing on the cake."

Promoter Hearn said: "I have to respect Lucian and his team for agreeing to enter the lion's den and face Carl in his home town, but am fully confident that Carl can become a world champion again."

Canadian-based Romanian Bute, who has defended his IBF title nine times since defeating Colombian Alejandro Berrio in 2007, is undefeated in 30 bouts. But it will be the first time he has boxed outside either North America or Romania during his professional career.

"It's my goal to fight the best boxers in the super middleweight division," said the Montreal-based fighter. "Carl Froch belongs in the elite of the super-middleweight division and it will be a great fight.

"I am very confident and it will not faze me fighting in enemy territory."