By John F. McKenna (McJack)
IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (30-0, 24 KO’s) fresh off Saturday nights impressive win over “The Road Warrior” Glen Johnson (51-16-2, 35 KO’s) has turned his sights south of the Canadian border for his next fight. Bute won virtually every round in his one sided victory over the cagey Johnson. It was Lucian’s 9th defense of the IBF crown he won on October 19, 2007 when he scored a TKO win over Alejandro Berrio. It was thought prior to the fight that Johnson, who is a former light heavyweight title holder, would be one of Bute’s most difficult bouts, but that was not the case.
It was reported in “The Canadian Press” in Quebec on Sunday that Bute, who has fought almost exclusively in Canada throughout his career wants to fight in New York. Lucian’s promoter was quoted as saying:
“Lucian’s dream is to go to New York. I spoke to the people from Top Rank and they’re saying there is a buzz in New York.”
The match with Johnson showed once again the huge drawing power Bute has in Canada.
It was fought before 15,306 fans in the Pepsi Coliseum. Lucian’s prior opponents were 2nd tier and not at the same level as Johnson. The victory over Johnson was so one sided that two of the judges gave Bute all 12 rounds on their scorecards. The 3rd judge awarded him 11 of the 12 rounds.
Bute has taken some heat for not facing better opposition, but in reality the good fighters in the super middleweight division are tied up in the Super Six Tournament. In the finals for the Super Six Tournament slick American boxer Andre Ward faces the rugged British banger Carl Froch on December 17 in Atlantic City. It is hoped that Bute will face the winner, but it is not guaranteed. The winner of the Super Six Tournament will have a major bargaining chip in the negotiations for a fight with Lucian Bute. The venue and date will also have to be negotiated.
The Super Six Tournament is the brainchild of Showtime who figures to be a major player in a fight between Bute and the winner of the Ward – Froch fight. Eventually it is Bute’s dream to unify the belts at super middleweight.
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