How I would want Carl Froch to fight Lucian Bute (Technical thread)

My take :

First my thoughts on Froch as this point

Nuts and Bolts :

Boxer puncher who shows more discipline now than ever.
Good jab, single and double which offers him a range finder, and a defensive tool. Under-rated wepone when he goes to the body.
Good right hand, capable of shooting it straight and looping it mid flight, this increases it's chance of landing despite a telegraphed look.
Cast Iron chin
Very good Stamina (Age considered)
Uppercuts with both hands, which are sometimes thrown from too far out.
Brilliant trainer and tactician in his corner.


Froch peaked in the Super Six tournament, he had retained his physical tools into his mid to late thirties, and made a mental adjustment to be more of a pugilist than a face first brawler. Factoring in Carl's length, his under-rated jab, brilliant corner, and chin this suited him well and we saw the results.

Froch had always felt he was in the shadow of Joe Calzaghe, the Super Six tournament would be his arena, his stage to prove that he was better than Joe, that he (Froch) had faced the best competition of his era and beat them.

I think Froch put everything he had into that tournament, mentally and physically. The fact is that he's 35 years old and closer to the end of his career than the biggining. The game plan below is suited to the Froch from the Super Six tournament, which may turn out to be different from the man that we see in May.

Nuts and bolts about Bute :

Southpaw
Nice jab, which he is capable of doubling and trippling up on.
Very good body puncher
Improved defense
Sharp and precise puncher
Good punching fluidity
Under-rated corner man, who tells it like it is.

Bute is on the right side of a rising tide right now, he appears more polished everytime he fights (Though opposition is questionable and not on par with Froch's recent fights) and shows more defensive awareness now than he did previously. (Case and point the first Andrade fight) Bute shows good power, and an ability to grind his man down by going to the body. Lateral movement and punching fluidity are key points when it comes to analysing Bute.

His chin may be suspect.
There are questions over his opposition
The fight is away from home
He will be eager to make a statement.

How I would advise Froch to fight :

The crowd in this fight, may be as much of a problem early on for Froch, as they are for Bute. For the first two rounds, I would have Froch fight conservative, pump his jab, doubling up whilst walking forward. Stay behind that jab, and do not put your chin in range of Bute early. It's a new enviroment for the Canadian, don't allow him to land early and gain confidence. Stay composed, and shoot the right hand as warning when Bute gets too close. When shooting the right hand, take half a step to your right, (Back foot, to the right) in order to keep the angle straight, rather than unconventional and suited to a southpaw.

When Bute does get close, establish lead foot position. At a speed dis-advantage as well as from a technical stand point, tactical superiority is vital for Froch.

Do not throw those long looping upper-cuts in the first few rounds, you will leave yourself exposed to either a right hook over the top, or a straight left down the shoot.

There must be a pretence of defence for Froch, if he's jabbing he must pivot to the side and keep his right hand up, Bute is capable of precise fast punching, and it's not good to take too many. Use the jab as a defensive tool, use it to get Bute to concede ground, then occupy that space, in other words establish to the judges that you are in control of the ring.

4th round onwards there must be body work. Froch keeps his left hand low, I'd spend the entire training camp trying to drum that out of him here, especially when he goes to the body. Jab to the pit of the stomach, and bring your left hand back covering your chin, likewise when shooting a straight right to the body. A right hand to the chest of Bute would be a good idea too, shock him; take his breath for a moment, make him uncomftorble in strange surroundings. In terms of Bute's body work, Froch should shoot his straight punches with his elbows tucked in, otherwise he is too exposed. If Bute gets too close, grab him. The referee will break you and restore your advantage with distance.

Froch is in Nottingham, so close rounds are not going to be a bad thing for him, do not go gung ho in the last thirty seconds, it's an un-needed risk.

Press the action later. Froch is an offensive fighter, it's his bread and butter, educated preassure is key, show the judges you are the aggressor, you want to take the title from the Champion, this is your house, you are king here. feint to the body and come upstairs to the head, scoring shots whilst remaining responsible with your own foot movements and head movements.

The crowd don't matter, you're in a do or die situation. Follow the game plan, trust your initiative and don't go getting caught when you don't need too just to impress spectators. Discipline, tactical knowlege and range is where Froch could win this fight.

(Just an estimate, I wouldn't bank on the above)

 

I know it's not a Mayweather or Pacquaio thread, but do me a favour and try to talk some real Boxing.

 

I have tickets for the fight, so fingers crossed he over comes it!