Here guys, a direct translation from an interview Bute gave in french to a Montreal radio station this morning (18/08/2010). There were two people interviewing him but I wont differentiate, and for your information his tone was very relaxed and comfortable. Here is the source (french) http://www.985fm.ca/audioplayer.php?mp3=77521 Context: "Since Monday we have a distinct impression of reliving the best years of boxing in Montreal, with as much to report inside the ring than outside, and following his win Saturday night, Pascal is proclaiming himself the best boxer in town, and HBO has expressed their desire to be involved in a Pascal/Bute clash, this morning Lucian Bute is in the studio" Q: Good morning Lucian, you find yourself in the spotlight right now, here is what Pascal said after his win: Pascal excerpt: "I am the king in town, I'm the one who faced and beat one of the best boxers on the planet, I beat him, and a king doesn't chase other kings." In other words it's not his job to run after you, you're the one who needs to challenge him. Lucian Bute A: Yes it's normal, it's his style, Pascal is the one always talking, as you know I don't talk much but it will be quite a moment when this fight happens. Presently I am staying focused on my next fight, I am staying at 168 lbs, I think it's the best division and I still have much to do at this weight. Q: Ok but this means you are willing to face him then? A: Yes Q: (Presses Lucian) When? 1 year, two years, three years? A: Depends on the promoters, yes it will happen, I don't know when, maybe in a few months, maybe a year, two years, but it will happen for sure, HBO is interested and Pascal has made quite a statement in the USA Saturday. Right now there is huge interest in Quebec but if we both work on and grow our respective careers on each side its going to become a mega fight. Q: So you want to clean up 168 lbs before facing Jean Pascal? A: Yes thats right, going up and coming back down is very difficult, Pascal is the one who was at 168 lbs and decided to come up to 175 lbs, not me. Q: So are you coming up in weight or does he need to come down? A: Presently like I said, I am staying at 168 lbs. Q: Are you saying you are willing to face Pascal at 168 lbs? A: Look, I am willing to go up but not yet, first I want to finish in his category, its very difficult to fluctuate as a boxer. Q: Lucian, promoters have already explained this and we know that fighters dont show up on fight night at the division weight of 168 lbs for example, so you already show up far heavier than 168 lbs. A: Yes, thats right, on fight night I usually come in at 180 or 182 lbs but when you go up a category to make 175 lbs for example I would need to change my entire preparation, weight training, muscle building etc all my training is for 168 lbs presently and my physical conditioner helps me towards this goal, and if I go up I will need to bulk up and gain a lot of physical strength and its very hard to come back down after that. Q: You watched the fight Saturday? A: Yes I was ringside Q: What did you think about the fight? A: It was very spectacular, Jean did great, he followed his game plan well and I think he has a very good team around him. Q: Did you think he was in trouble in the 11th? A: No, I didnt, I know Dawson started strong as he knew he was far behind and needed to step it up to win, but no I dont think Pascal was in trouble. Q: Lucian isnt the super six slowing down your progression and hindering your ability to face the best fighters in your division? A: Yes you can say that, the tournament is currently including all the best opponents and still has about one year to go, I hope it ends in one year, but for the moment I will focus on Jesse Brinkley. Q: Lucian who is the king of boxing in Montreal? A: (Laughs) I never declared myself as such, thats Pascals style not mine, I respect his style and his boxing ability too, one day we will be in the ring, and then well see whos the best. Q: Thanks Lucian, see you at your next fight on October 15th.
You guys are missing the context. Champions in Quebec don't happen often, and when they do, they're huge draws. They'll fill the Bell center, fighting small time opponents, the bars are going to be full, fight show on pay per view, gets lot of $$$. Jean Pascal is with Gym and Yvon Michel. Bute is with Interbox, Eric Lucas. If they fight each other, one of the two organization will lose their champion and chances making a lot of money down the road. The two fighting each other right now makes very little sense. And I can tell you that most montrealers, or Quebeccers, wouldn't even be interested in seeing a fight between their two champs. They'd rather watch their champ win against Americans and both staying champions. As I said, just see short term. Any fight involving any of those two will fill the Bell center. Bute vs Pascal is one fight. Bute vs random guy is one, and Pascal vs another is a second. Then if both loses, there would be a rematch, which would again fill the stadium another two times. It really makes no sense to make these two guys fight each other. There's a lot of other interesting fights out there... There's talk of Pascal going vs Hopkins, as a Quebeccer, that fight is 10x more interesting to me than vs Bute... Most people around here agree. I hope they don't fight each other... I'd rather see them both well in their division, and THEN, if they're the two undisputed champs and everyone is dying for the fight (Pac vs Floyd), then bring it on, until then... :\