Carl Froch believes his loyal fans with be the twelfth man when he takes on IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute at the Capital FM Arena in Nottingham on May 26, live on Sky Sports.
The Cobra fights in his hometown for the first time since beating Andre Dirrell in a WBC World title defence in October 2009. Froch has been on the road since that night in some gruelling battles, and the 34 year old says he will take the IBF belt from the unbeaten champ to reward his followers for coming out in force – with the final batch of 400 tickets for the fight now released.
“I have to beat Lucian on May 26 – losing in front of my own fans is just something I cannot contemplate,” said Froch. “They have travelled thousands of miles to watch me during the Super Six, and now they have a massive World title fight on their doorstep as a thank you – but it has to be a party and the only way it will be is if I keep the title here.”
Only 400 tickets remain available for the May 26 showdown, with Froch’s World title fight ably supported by Belfast’s undefeated Commonwealth super featherweight champ Carl Frampton facing unbeaten Mexican Raul Hirales for the IBF Inter Continental super bantamweight title and Islington’s Erick Ochieng defending the English light middleweight title against Nottingham boxer AA Lowe. There are also outings for hotly-tipped unbeaten 10-0 middleweight John Ryder, as well as outings for Ryan Aston, Adnan Amar, Bute’s rated light welterweight stable mate Pier Olivier Cote and Team GB star Scotty Cardle.
“There’s nothing like the Capital FM Arena when it is full,” said Froch. “I was there on Monday night when it was empty and cold, and I just thought that in two weeks time this will be packed and the roof is going to come off. I know Lucian gets great support in Montreal but I don’t think it compares to mine. They are quiet and study the fight as it goes along, politely clapping when he wins. My lot put all their energy behind every punch I throw and chant Forest songs all the way. Really, they support me how I know I have to box him – non-stop for as long as it takes until the title is mine.”
The final 400 tickets for Froch’s IBF World super middleweight title challenge to Bute are on sale now priced £40, £60, £80, £100 and £150 from the Capital FM Arena Nottingham website www.capitalfmarena.com and on 08444 124624.
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