Bute's next opponent: Not that many options

There are a few options out there for him but what are the chances of that happening in the next couple of months?

Bute and his team said they want to fight a big name in the USA.

They are interested in a fight against Pavlik and so is HBO. But will Pavlik take it? Or will he decide to stay 160lbs a little longer to fight Williams? If that's the case then a Bute-Pavlik fight would be pushed to the end of 2010 at best.

Then there is Chad Dawson. The problem with Dawson is I'm not sure he can make 168lbs anymore. He was 191lbs in the ring against Johnson. I don't see Bute moving up to 175lbs unless there is a title on the line. The other problem with Dawson is that he's not a draw. He can not sell out even a small venue. So what's the point of making that fight in the USA in front of 2000 people? Not to mention Dawson is VERY dangerous fight for Bute. Dawson is no bum. Gary Shaw and Dawson seem more interested in a fight with Jean Pascal. It will be an easier fight for them to win and they could pick up a title in the process.

Unification against the winner of Stieglitz-Miranda. This is a lower profile fight but it would allow Bute to unify two titles. It has a better chance of happening if Miranda wins. But what are the odds that Miranda would want to fight Bute in his very next fight? If he makes a title defense first it would push a potential Bute-Miranda fight to late 2010.

Allan Green: He's not a very deserving opponent but he has a name (for some reasons) in the USA and he's highly ranked. Problem is, he's tied up with the Showtime tournament. But what happens if nobody drops out? Will he do nothing for the next 2 years? He should take a shot at Bute. If he wins he can bring the IBF title to the tournament. The other problem is Green is notorious for ducking and pulling out of big fights. So again, what are the odds of that fight happening in the first half of 2010?

As you can see. Not that many viable options. For that reason. I think there is a strong chance that Bute might have to fight a "tune up" next.

Thoughts?

This content is protected

 

I'm sure the Pavlik fight will happen eventually if they both keep winning.

The question really is what's there for Bute's next fight at the beginning of 2010?

 

Dawson was 191lbs in the ring against Johnson. He looked like a solid full flesh light heavyweight in there. Can he drop an additional 7lbs to make 168lbs?

Edison Miranda is fighting Robert Stieglitz on January 9th 2010 for WBO Super Middleweight World Title.

 

I guess the question is why would Dawson kill himself to make 168-170lbs when he can just stay at 175lbs and fight the winner of Pascal-Diaconu for the WBC Title instead? They've said they are interested in a fight against Jean Pascal in Montreal. HBO seems interested too.

Easier fight & he wouldn't need to drop down in weight.

 

What about Paul Williams. I know most people will say he's too small (even tho he's taller then Bute and also has a longer reach).

Stranger things have happened in boxing. Williams seems to be willing to fight pretty much anyone. HBO loves him. Who knows?

Only problem I see with this fight is William is another American fighter who's not a big draw. He can't even sell out a ball room (less then 1000 seat capacity) for his next fight.

So could this fight be realistically be made in the USA?

 

As far as I know. Larsen is fighting Magee for the European title on January 30th in Denmark.

Not to mention... who gives a flying $$%?&%?& about Mads Larsen! :rofl