Carl Froch believes winning the IBF super-middleweight title against Lucian Bute on Saturday can help heal the wounds from the "bitter disappointment" of December's defeat by Andre Ward.
The Englishman lost his WBC belt to classy American Ward in the final of the Super Six tournament in New Jersey before Christmas to incur only his second professional loss.
Yet the 34-year-old has been granted an instant shot at redemption when he challenges IBF champion Bute on home turf at Nottingham's Trent FM Arena this weekend.
For Canada-based Romanian southpaw Bute it is a chance to prove himself in a rare appearance on 'away' turf.
For Froch, whose only other defeat was by Mikkel Kessler in Denmark in 2010, it is the chance to exorcise some of the ghosts from December's defeat by Ward and underline his world title pedigree.
"It was a very bad night for me against Ward and I've got a lot to prove now," he said.
"This is the comeback from the bitter disappointment on that night in Atlantic City. I've been on the road now for three years, fighting away from home. Nothing has been comfortable, nothing has been easy, but there is a really good feel about this fight with it being in Nottingham.
"I've got a fantastic fanbase, as proved by the fact the arena is going to be sold out.
"With the career I've had, over the last three years I've been through every emotion. I've been through the highs and lows. I know what it's like to taste defeat and it's not nice."
Froch (28-2, 20KO wins) added: "I've come back from a very, very close, dubious decision against Mikkel Kessler, to put on a career-best performance against Arthur Abraham.
"It wasn't my night against Andre Ward in Atlantic City and I lost a very close fight against a top fighter. I'm going to put it right on Saturday against Lucian Bute.
"He is coming to Nottingham - my city, my hometown, my fortress - anyone who is anyone is going to be there on Saturday shouting and cheering for me, and that's going to give me such a lift."
Bute, a Romanian based in Quebec, Canada, where he has a huge following, said: "I'm excited. Two months ago I was here for the press conference and then I went to Florida for my training camp for seven weeks.
"It was a good, good training camp despite a little technical problem (a foot infection).
"I'm very happy, I've worked very hard for this fight. I know it's not an easy fight for me but I came here to win. I'm a winner."
