IBF super middleweight champion Carl Froch was not impressed by Lucian Bute's victory over Denis Grachev on Saturday night, and he expects to batter Bute in their planned March/April 2013 rematch. Bute was stopped by Froch in five rounds in May, and returned on Saturday night in Montreal to win a twelve round decision over Grachev. Froch will defend his belt against Yusuf Mack on November 17 in Nottingham.

"Let's be honest, it wasn't the most impressive performance from Lucian Bute that I've ever seen," he told Sky Sports. "It wasn't vintage by any stretch of the imagination. Bute didn't really impress, but it was a comeback fight from a devastating defeat against myself, so what did people expect? He needed to find his feet again, find his confidence. I'm sure he's done that. I think mentally he needed to get that fight in the bag.

"He's got the win and done what he needed to do to re-establish himself. Now I'm hoping the rematch will happen. It's his chance to try and get back the IBF world title I took from him, but he'll have the home advantage this time. As a team, we're hoping he takes the fight so I can go out there and give him another pasting."

"It's not a really daunting prospect to go over to Montreal and face Bute. This is someone I've beaten before and I'm very confident."