Froch-Bute confirmed for Nottingham on May 26

Carl Froch will get the chance to be a three-time world super-middleweight champion in his home city.

The Nottingham puncher [pictured against Glen Johnson last year] will meet 30-fight [24 stoppages] undefeated IBF champion Lucian Bute at the Capital FM Arena on May 26 in one of the best-looking and most eagerly-awaiting contests at 12st.

Bute, a 32-year-old Romanian based in Montreal, has long been maligned for his refusal to box outside of his adopted Canadian home, although he has seen action in the country of his birth and America in the past. But his decision to make his eleventh defence of his belt in his opponent's back garden will, no doubt, win over a lot of skeptics who believed he lacked the self-belief to fight in the lion's den.

But Matchroom Sport-promoted Froch, 28-2 (20), who hasn't fought in Nottingham since a split decision points nod over slick-boxing American Andre Dirrell in 2009, will be looking to bounce back from a wide points defeat to Andre Ward in the Super Six final in December and has long believed he hits too hard for a big-punching southpaw who has been dropped before. 

Eddie Hearn revealed a press conference will take place in the Robin Hood city on March 13 - and the challenger couldn't be happier at the fight or the venue. "It's a dream come true to get an opportunity to become a three-time world champion in my home city of Nottingham," said a 34-year-old East Midlander who has never ducked the most testing fights around.

"The Super Six was an incredible journey for me but i missed fighting at home in England and it was important that Eddie and i made that happen for the fight-going public. For it to be for a version of a world title, and one i haven't boxed for before, is the icing on the cake.

"I hope Bute's ready because on May 26 i'm going to have the whole of Nottingham behind me and i'm ready to go to war again," the former two-time WBC champion added.