If Ward would've accepted the fight with Bute ...

Fighters make mistakes early in their careers that they don't make (or shouldn't make) as they advance. I'm not overly concerned with him getting caught once, many years ago. Andre has proven to be extremely adaptable.

I really think Andre wanted Bute to beat one legitimate challenger while his hand healed. That way the fight would have been bigger and a healthy, rested Ward would be fighting a guy coming off of a tough fight.

 

There is absolutely no way Bute comes close to beating Ward.Ward may not have a style that excites casual fans but he is possibly the most complete and efficient fighter around at the moment.

And all this talk of him ducking Lucian needs to stop.Ward wanted a homecoming fight where he earned the vast majority of the purse against an average opponent after a bruising tournament.Bute was absolutely entitled to parity at the time and that's why the fight didn't happen.
I'd like to be able to appreciate Bute now because he's a classy guy and just because he's clearly not an elite fighter doesn't mean we shouldn't be able to enjoy him as one of the better B class fighters.
To say Ward ducked him is like saying Floyd ducked Kermit Citron.

 

He wanted a money/less challenging fight first and he was entitled to it.Bute was well within his rights to demand parity at the time and that's why it wasn't pursued.
Froch did it with Mack and Bute's done it with erm...almost everyone?

 

Ward TKO11...breaks him down late.

 

I can see a wide UD , but no stoppage :nono

 

Two possibilities.

Wide decision victory for Ward.
Late stoppage for Ward.

 

Everyone's an expert on "what if" fights. Lets remember how many (myself included) had Bute winning against Froch before that fight. After the fight everyone jumped on Bute worse than the jews on Jesus.

**** happens in boxing. Everyone can have an off night, like Pac against Marquez. Let the guy box and we'll see what happens.

For me, one thing is clear and a fact. Bute wanted to fight in Oakland, Ward said no ty after saying just few weeks before that the winner HAS to fight Bute.

 

Ward...was KO'd.....ummmm, you know what KO stands for? right?

 

Ward by decision.

It would be closer than the Froch - Bute fight though. Just can't see Ward taking the fight to Bute enough to stop him, but he would outbox him enough to win the decision.

 

It's true, Ward clearly stated he will fight him after the tournament is done... then opted not too. I agree that Ward is a better boxer then Bute, but you really never know what could happen in a boxing match! I know that from experience.

Bute pre Froch loss would have been a very interesting fight vs Ward. I really wish they went that route.

Regardless, what happened happened, and now there are many other possibilities...

Kelly Pavlik should of stepped up and fought Bute. He initially pursued it seriously and oddly bailed which screwed things up a little.

 

Yep.

Ward's head in his opponents chest is probably the best inside game we've currently got...

I really do think that Ward would stop him somewhere around 8. I don't think Bute holds up well to punches coming back at him and landing, and that won't change for the better any time beyond now.

 

Bute getting embarrassed and stopped late.

 

Really wide UD or late stoppage for ward.Bute is just overhyped.
But wasnt ward injured after super 6?

 

I'm inclined to say Ward stops him easier than he stopped Dawson.