Kessler is my favourite fighter and I dont think that Bute has what it takes to go on and develop to that level. Unfortunately that is - because SMW could use a rivalry on the level of Calzaghe - Kessler now that Calzaghe has left. Bute is the second most popular fighter out there, i guess.... (Miranda, Lacy, Green, Mundine and the other "names" are gone)
This is a big step up for Bute. He has never fought anyone as tough as Andrade. Bute seems to have the skills to take a UD on this one but equally Andrade's pressure could see him home, either by late stoppage or close decision. I'd have Bute a slight favourite but the only bet I'd have on it would be that it goes the distance.
I saw the fight. Kessler had alot of snap on those punches but not much bodyweight behind them. The way Kessler fights is not to take a full step into his punches but to lean into them and take a step back. You can't possibly generate the same amount of power doing that. Plus he spent some time circling Andrade and looking to hit from the side. He wasn't banking on Andrade moving forward for maximum effect. The thing is Bute is obviously not as technical as Kessler. He isn't that kind of sharp but on the flipside of that coin that makes him also more reckless. And he is a southpaw meaning that his left will likely catch Andrade by surprise (I think Andrade banked on Kessler's right). A punch you don't see hurts much worse. I see Andrade really pressing Bute and forcing him to fight. A fight that may look eerily similar to Calzaghe-Mitchell. Andrade may have good moments at the start but once the wild punches start swinging I expect the southpaw to get the best of them. His sneaky left and right hook will do a number on Andrade. And I don't think he'll see the damage coming, unlike with Kessler.
I'm kinda rooting for Andrade, but it would be Sh*t for the SMW division, as no one would pay to see Kessler fight Andrade again - even for a unification bout.
If you'd dub someone who fights like an intoxicated homeless person on PCP a force, then yes, Andrade is a force.
I have to disagree on this. But otherwise you are right. Kessler normally fights a bit safe but at the same time sharp. This is why he doesnt just ktfo his opponents but tends to wear them down methodically. But in the fight with Andrade he hit with almost full force. Some of the punches has weight behind them as well.. You can see it on the tape, dude. Its pretty clear. Bute still needs to improve heavy on his moving and ability to handle pressure (unreal pressure that is) in order to be worthy of a bet against an endurant pressure fighter with a top 3 p4p chin. But well see.
It was a perfect punch, but Kessler hit him with 5 perfect punches and didn't knock him down. Point is that he is human, and that Kessler wasn't hitting him as hard as people say he was. Hell, feather-fisted Malignaggi knocked down N'Dou, who has one of the best chins out there P4P. If there's that big of a gap in talent, the better fighter can still knock down/out the worse fighter, chin and strength notwithstanding. In any case, Andrade sucks other than his chin and determination. That's enough against the third-tier fighters, but not against legit top-10 guys. Bute kicks his ass from post to post. I wouldn't be shocked if Andrade can't win a round.
interbox have already sold 10 000 tickets for the bute-Andrade fight. The fight will take place in three months!
Should really be alot closer than the poll suggests, but I would pick Bute by UD. I can't believe anybody has picked Bute by TKO/KO though. Andrade's chin is unbelievable.
They'll most likely fill it up with 18 000 +. The fight is on a Friday night, I don't see how ESPN could pass that one up....