By John J. Raspanti, Doghouse Boxing. - Former IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (30-1, 24 KOs) will return to action November 3 against undefeated Russian Denis Grachev (12-0, 9 KOs) at the Bell Centre Arena in Montréal, Quebec, Canada.

Bute, 32, suffered the first loss of his professional career last May. An inspired Carl Froch, fighting in front of his hometown fans, battered Bute from the second round on, forcing the referee to wave off the bout in round five. A standing eight count in the fateful fifth round provided the ex-champ with no respite. Bute went home to Canada to lick his wounds, while Froch basked in the glory of his most significant victory. A few weeks later, Bute exercised the rematch clause in his contract. The sequel will likely take place in Quebec next year.

Bute’s team felt a tune-up fight was necessary.

“After several talks with Lucian and head trainer Stephan Larouche, we established a complete list of Lucian’s needs and evaluated each opponent,” said InterBox

President Jean Bedard. “We stopped looking once we got to Denis Grachev and got the fight signed. Grachev is the best available boxer that Lucian can fight.”

Grachev is an interesting choice. In his last outing, the 29-year-old California resident stopped undefeated light heavyweight prospect Ismayl Sillakh in eight rounds. His nine knockouts in twelve fights suggest some power.

Bute is anxious to get back in the ring.

“I am very happy that this fight is signed,” Bute said. “I can’t wait to see my fans again and to fight in front of them at the Montreal Bell Centre. This fight will be the first step of my goal to reconquer the IBF Super Middleweight belt.”

Bute’s loss to Froch was a traumatic experience. He entered the ring in Nottingham as the second best fighter in the 168-pound division behind Andre Ward. Thirty minutes later many were saying he was overrated. The memory of the Froch devastation hasn’t faded. On paper, the edge goes to Bute. He’s a couple inches taller and much more experienced than Grachev – a former kickboxing champion.

But, does he still have a chin?

His team certainly thinks so.

Bute certainly thinks so.

Grachev will happily test that theory on November 3.

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