I've been reading with great pleasure the various threads discussing the super-middleweight division over the last few weeks. As a boxing fanatic, it's always fun to debate a point that has no empirical answer. I personnally believe Bute to be the best supper-middleweight in the world right now, but I can also see a solid argument being made for Ward and even for Froch or Dirrell. That said, there are already plenty of threads on that topic and we certainly don't need one more. However, I'm hoping to put to rest here the ridiculous rumour that Bute either refused to participate in the Super Six or somehow was not interested in doing so. The truth is plain and simple: Bute was never invited or even approached to participate. Ken Hershman said it himself in the news conference announcing the Super Six : "IBF champion Lucien Bute was not invited (to participate). He's a great champion but this tournament works. Not one promoter or fighter objected to the first-round draw. They all said put me in front of anyone. Each promoter feels their guy is ready to take this tournament." (see http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=20447&more=1). I sincerely hope we'll stop seeing the ridiculous argument that Bute ducked the Super Six. I doubt it, but I hope so.
Itll be hard to judge Bute on how good he is cause the tournament takes away his opponents. Based on talent I think he is the best fast and hard hitter.
personally i think it's a wise move to step away from the supersix. let them put eachother in the face, weaken themselves by having tough fights, and then take on the winner while fresh. that'll be the smart move.
Here we go... Any support for that statement? Of course not. Here's a link to the Dan Raphael blogs on ESPN.com in July 2009 where multiple sources confirm he was never invited (http://espn.go.com/sports/boxing/blog/_/name/rafael_dan/month/july-2009/count/11). As recently as yesterday Raphael reiterated that statement: "His handlers will have to be creative, though, to get him big fights, because the cream of the super middleweight crop other than Bute is tied up in Showtime's Super Six World Boxing Classic, which Bute was not invited to join" (http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=5112480)
atsch SHOWTIME Super Six World Boxing Classic Press Conference Quotes What the executives, fighters and promoters had to say on Monday: KEN HERSHMAN - Throughout my career, I have been involved with some of the most major and historic events in the sport, including the legendary Corrales vs. Castillo fight which in my opinion is the best fight in history, the Tyson/Holyfield ear biting incident, and the Tyson-Lewis fight. But never have I been more proud then I am of this tournament or prouder of the work we have done. Getting five promoters together is a herculean task in itself -- plus six of the best fighters in the division. That is a staggering accomplishment.. This content is protected "IBF champion) Lucien Bute was not invited (to participate). He's a great champion but this tournament works. Not one promoter or fighter objected to the first-round draw. They all said put me in front of anyone. Each promoter feels their guy is ready to take this tournament.
That's a valid viewpoint and maybe had Bute been invited he would have turned it down (he says that he would have participated, but that's easy to say after the fact). But the point is that he was never invited. So to suggest that he's ducking anyone or doesn't merit being discussed as the possible #1 in the division as a result of his non-participation is completely dishonest.
I'm sure some people here still don't realize it was meant from the very start to have 3 Americans & 3 Europeans...
i know bute was mentioned as a possible opponent to go into the super six, but i think they wanted three americans and three europeans to participate in this tournament, which would make sense as to why green went in for taylor, and not bute. to be honest if i was bute's advisor, i would of told him to step aside, and fight the winner. have all the eggs in one basket in just one fight.
Bute wasn't invited, but it's difficult to argue with the inclusions of Froch (just KOd Taylor on Showtime), Kessler (perceived as No. 1 in 168) and Abraham (another Showtime fighter and No. 1 or No. 2 at 160). I'd like to see Lucian fight the winner of Dawson/Pascal.