There was a press conference this morning and they finally announce that a deal has been approved by Bute's people. So, he will remain here in Montreal at least 2 more years. But it wasn't easy, because Bute had received many other offers from big time promoters, with a lot more money. Even if his boss Éric Lucas almost went ding dong when he heard of the amount of the contract he had to sign to keep him. ( rumours are talking of around 2 mil for 2 years ) He choose with his heart to stay where people are always behind him, where his pro career has been set, where a champion has been formed. How many boxers would rather stay in their adoption country instead of moving to bigger and better things with either GBP or Sauerland or DK ? Give me your views on this move and name boxers that have done the same and still made it big.
I also heard that Yvon Michel (GYM) and the crazy afro dude (King) tagged teamed together to offer Bute something REALLY nice. I would've been really sad if Bute had joined GYM.
Outside of Canada (and Romania) he is absolutely unknown. So I doubt that GBP/Sauerland/DK/... were that eager to get him under contract. I guess he used these promoters to drive up the price. Almost every boxer says that money isn't the decisive factor. Should we believe them/him? I don't.
No money would make him switch to the people who are training all of his opponents! Also, he'd lose at least 75% of his fans if he betrayed Interbox and Lucas, so it would be stupid. Universum and Sauerland - nah - what would have been the point; he could have signed for them when he started off and he's be where Balzsay is now. The only worry was GBP or King on his own, without GYM. King is a hell of a promoter but you are taking a huge risk going with him. Bute ain't stupid. So that leaves GBP. GBP would have definitely made a much better offer than Interbox ever could. They woud also have got very good fights for Bute, on HBO. I'm not sure if they made an offer, but if they did, you can see why Bute insisted to get what he wanted from Interbox - not money, but most likely the guarantee that they would back him, getting him big fights and exposure. Even so, GBP could have done better, so, it must come down to the fans, to a certain extent! Remember what Bute said after he won the belt and after he beat Joppy? He cried to the fans that he needed them, after thanking them and telling them how much their support meant to him. Well, I guess he wasn't just saying it - he really meant it, by signing with Interbox again. But, again - good for the fans - he made sure Interbox made big fights for him and supported him well; I'm glad he did that. Bute, if he beats Andrade, needs to think of unifying and of fighting Kessler soon. :good
Calzaghe was only known in Britain, a bit in Germany and...that's it, before the Lacy fight. Warren made him a star when he was confident he was ready and that was what Calzaghe wanted and was ready to take on. Screw Sauerland; they couldn't have done better than Interbox were already doing for Bute. Don King is interested in Diaconu, so why wouldn't he be interested in Bute? GBP...well...they signed Andrade...so...if Andrade was good enough and if he had enough star-quality about him, why wouldn't Bute? BTW...as far as I know, Bute made no claims GBP, King or anyone else made him this or that offer and that he wanted more money. Sure, he wanted good money, but he could have made better money elsewhere - Interbox just don't have the same financial muscle. But, I suspect the reason he didn't sign immediately was because he wanted better support - bigger fights and more exposure in the USA. Ultimately, he wanted to stay in Montreal and to fight in front of his fans. That was the bottom line for him, I think. And no...it's not always about the money. Does Gerrard stay at Liverpool because he couldn't get more money elsewhere? It's about getting the right dfeal for you. Yeah, money is part of it, but when you are at this stage in your career, what you are looking for is the support you need to achieve your goals - get the right setting in which you can improve and fight big fights and do it in front of your fans. If you do all that and win, money always follows. Not all fighters are greedy. I don't think Bute is greedy. At this stage in his career, it wouldn't pay to be greedy anyway. Most important is the right setting and support - and the guarantee of big fights.
AS almost always, I agree.... Sorry for Bear, I just got a puppy a couple of weeks ago, a Border Collie. I guess it's hard to loose a long time friend.
Bute interview: http://www.corussports.com/boxe/bute_conquete_monde-20080528-940642.html Click on: This content is protected