Andre Ward vs. Lucian Bute for all the marbles.

I think its a great match up this one and very tough one to call. However i think Bute would KO Ward possibly from a body shot, if there was one weakness of Ward last night it was that he left himself a bit open on the inside and if Bute could exploit that he would stop Ward IMO

 

Bute wins a decision in Canada, Ward by decision anywhere else.

 

I think Butes uppercuts could win this for him. Very precise when he spots openings, and also strong, fast and varied.

However Ward has shown an ability to adapt and nullify his opponents strengths that impresses me immensely. This is a genuine comparison, his inside fighting ability reminds me of Chang, sneaky, well-schooled, methodical, effective. On the inside it's Butes ability to pull shots out of his arse Vs Wards effective tying up and his strength to push out and land shots as his opponents fall out of the clinch. Ward will try and pickpocket this one IMO, for the all-round package Bute is the most dangerous man he's fought. At this weight, I'd say Bute also has a case for being a harder puncher than Abraham and is evidently the best all-round power puncher in the division (Medy K.O was brutal; the bodysuit that felled Andrade even moreso)

On the outside, it's Wards athleticism and quickness at springing into action Vs Butes sharper punching and herky jerky southpaw style. Bute can really draw a shot out of his opponents and unleash accurate counters as his opponent is mid-rhythm, Ward can deceptively close range and go about doing his work.

Basically impossible to call IMO. I'll go for Ward: he's appeared less stylistically vulnerable and has the better wins, but seeing as I have to go back to Andrade I to think when I wasn't impressed with Bute (except for Brinkley, yawn) and Ward lacks the required punch to throw Bute off his game, and this could be just the fight to really make the Romanian step it up.

Exciting times, pretty sure Showtime will push for this.

 

I'd actually fancy Bute to take a decision victory based on a better workrate, busier and more effective aggression.

Although he's not faced the same calibre of opponent I feel he's by no means overhyped. Bute can comfortably box with Ward at range and find success on the inside.

Not to write Ward off of course, he's capable of keeping a very cool head and will work to figure out and negate Bute's flurries.

Doubt it will happen this year to be honest though. All depends on Kessler's next move after facing Stieglitz in April. Will he rematch Ward straight after? Maybe rematch Froch? Or go straight to a unification with Bute.

Super six is over but the division still has plenty of good fights on the horizon.

 

Hope we don't see Kessler rematch anyone not named Froch. At least that was fairly competitive in terms of action, Ward dominated Kessler.

 

Even as great as Andre great showing last night, i`d favour bute. Possibly to knock him out as ward works his way in with an uppercut.

This fight is going to simmer for a while first. Gonna be a super fight.

 

I don't think Bute should get this fight.

I mean, someone like Froch has fought the best at SMW, who has Bute fought to even be mentioned as "The Man" to beat at SMW?

I'd like to see Direell/Bute or Kessler/Bute before i see Ward face Bute.

 

It is 50-50. It is the logical next fight. There are enough top 168 fighters for these guys not to build fights or duck fights.

 

Seeing as he just put on a far better showing against Froch's last opponent before Ward, his consistency and what attributes he brings tithe table, I would say it's the challenge we'd want the no.1 in the division to face.

Dirrell is a completely irrelevant runner, who wants to see him fight anyone?!

 

Dirrell is a ****ing *****.

 

The high rating of Bute is based on his 0. He probably shouldn't even have an 0, because Andrade (a limited fighter) stopped him. But what has the guy actually done to make people think that he is better than Froch and Kessler? Apart from Andrade in the rematch, he beat an unmotivated Glen Johnson in a sparring match.

As long as the same Ward that we've seen in the super 6 turns up, I'd strongly favour Ward to shut Bute down and win a clear points decision. I don't give Bute much chance at all. Bute vs. Froch, Kessler or Dirrell on the other hand would be difficult to call.

 

I knew this was going to happen. I realized a while ago that this would be the fight for the #1 SMW. Although Froch had the better resume, Bute was the better fighter imo. This will be a great fight, a 50/50 fight imo

 

Ward on points.Its a boring match up from a good division.The 2 most boring fighters are set to clash for a no money/no viewers fight.It is a shame but it cant be helped.
Elsewhere we can have Froch v Kess 2.