Froch not mincing his words again. Taken from: http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/168737-video-carl-froch-one-on-one-interview “I don’t rate Lucian Bute, I just rate him. I’ve got no respect for who he is fighting, what he is doing in Canada, staying in his own comfort zone, just sticking around defending his title,” Froch said. “He’s fighting [Glen] Johnson next. No disrespect to Johnson, Johnson will have a good chance against him, but I think his better days have been and gone.” “Who has [Bute] boxed? His last fight was Brian Magee. I knocked out Brian Magee five or six years ago. I broke my hand in round two and knocked him out in round 11. “Bute is not fighting anyone or doing anything. He’s one of these protected fighters.He needs to get out of Canada or stay in Canada and fight somebody. “Don’t forget Librado Andrade beat Lucian Bute. He beat him and knocked him out. Fight over, done, but somehow [Bute] won on points. I don’t know how that happened. He got knocked out, 10 or 14 seconds, and he won on points. That’s how protected he is.”
Unfortunately Bute's reputation is at the level of Ottke. Bute NEEDS to ¤%&ing man up and go fight Kessler in Copenhagen or Froch in Nottingham. No more bull**** in Montreal. Bute could win either (not saying he will, but he could) - so do it!
Canadians will hate on froch for this but he is rate, time for bute to travel and face some decent opposition. Atleast johnson is a step in the right direction.
Carl, you've just fought Johnson in your last fight. A win that you're proud of. If he was a solid opponent for you, why isn't he a solid opponent for Bute?
Froch had no chioce in fighting Johnson - it was part of the Super Six. And although he respects Johnson, he has said many times he didn't have to leave second gear to beat him. Plus, Johnson has just lost, so his stock has gone down.
What do you mean by didnt leave second gear? does that mean froch didnt go all out to get the win? if thats so then I disagree since it was very close going into round then and froch won that fight by being the better condicioned boxer that night, it wasnt a easy victory for him. Look how many right hands he got tagged with, solid win though and it will be as well for bute if he beats johnson.
He has also said many times that Johnson was a game opponent, and he had to remain alert throughout the full 12 rounds. Don't believe his 'Oh I didn't take him that seriously', because he most certainly did. His attitude before, during and after, confirms that. And Johnson always loses. He's had 15 of them. His stock never goes down. He's the Road Warrior. Win or lose, he's always been regarded as the same fighter. I doubt that much has changed since the Froch fight and now.
I agree with Froch that Bute needs to step-up in competition. Hopefully Johnson seems a step in the right direction. But in fairness to Bute, Brinkley and Mendy were mandatory challengers, which explains a bit his recent and poor opposition. I disagree with Bute being knocked out against Andrade though. But that's probably a never-ending debate.
I understand he needs to step up but Brinkley and Mendy were Mandatory and Bute was supposed to fight Kessler, but he ducked and then Magee was an OK fight. Miranda and Andrade are good fights though. Bute is 30-31. He has at least a few years in boxing (5-7) since he fights in a high weight class, He will achieve a lot in those years. Starting now with Glen Johnson.
Nothing new... Easy to pick on a guy you CAN'T even fight right now (and couldn't for the last 2 years).
Froch is right. Bute needs to step up the competition (which he has apparently been trying - Kessler etc...)
Froch said it not me, but I kind of agree. Although he got hit with about four right hands, it did seem like he was just doing enough to win. Froch seems to fight more conservatively than in his youth.