Lucian Bute: Wants to fight Carl Froch again

Lucian Bute insists he wants to face Carl Froch in a rematch after losing his IBF super-middleweight title to the Briton.

Froch suggested Bute could retire after ending the Romanian's unbeaten 30-fight run in five thrilling rounds on Saturday night.

However, Bute plans to learn from defeat and wants revenge over Froch after admitting he underestimated the Nottingham fighter.

"Every athlete has to admit defeat. Great champions need to know to lose. I have to learn from this defeat," Bute told boxingfutures.com.

"This is not the end of the world. I don't think that it's the end of my career.

Dominated

"I need to relax. It was a great mental load. I need time for my return. On Saturday night, Carl Froch was better.

"Any great athlete must have dignity, to be able to congratulate your opponent. I was the favourite and everyone thought I would win easily. We all thought that, even me. Unfortunately, you saw what happened there.

"I believe that in five rounds I boxed in only one, for about three minutes. I was totally dominated. After the first round, I was very sure of myself. I told my coach that he was slow. But things changed in the second round.

"I do not necessarily want the belt back. I want to beat Carl Froch. I want a rematch - even if there is not belt at stake."