Yes that last version of Froch was a different animal to the one that originally faced Ward. He become more hungry and relentless, did not wait for openings but took the fight to his opponents and let his hands go from the bell to the end, with the exception of the groves fight were he underestimated him but rectified his mistakes in the rematch. That version of Froch would've given Ward brain bleed. Ward wanted nothing to do with a rematch that is why he put forward fairy tale demands that he knew were not going to be accepted by anyone with their brain cells still functioning.
The Froch who fought Bute in Nottingham, would have been a handful for anyone that night. But any other version of Froch loses to Ward, and even that version might not have had enough. But he was damn near the irresistible force that night with his career and life-changing pay days on the line...
Froch was a man on a mission that night. Also, Stephan Larouche, Bute's coach at the time, prepared a suicide tactic for Bute. " get on the ropes, let him throw first and you'll counter"....riiiight Bute never ever fought like a brawler, why the hell Larouche chose this genius strategy I'll never understand
Not sure Froch let Bute execute his game plan that night. I think he was simply overwhelmed and, dare I say, out of his depth. Froch would have walked through anything Bute tried that night. The big mistake was taking a fighter whose whole career had been against B-level fights in his own back yard for his first overseas fight to Froch's home town. I think he froze but, that said, he showed bravery in taking a helluva beating, from which he never really recovered. I guess he got a good pay day out of it though.
And besides, even when Froch wasnt retired, he repeatedly said he had no interest in a rematch as it didnt make financial sense
Froch said he'd probably lose the rematch via UD in one of his more candid moments. I see no reason to doubt that.
I agree Froch was too much for Bute. But if you watch that fight again, you'll see how Bute goes towards the ropes and even at one moment waves at Carl "come here". instead of fighting in the center like he used to do Bute took some murderous shots without gettin floored. why people we're saying he doesn't a chin is besides me
Yes it was bizarre it was almost like bute had never been in the ring before the way he froze up like that. He almost looked scared I've really never seen anything like it.